|
US still committed to defeating al-Qaeda: Obama
[Al Arabiya Latest] President Barack Obama warned on Wednesday of more violence in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but said his government was still committed to defeating al-Qaeda, while trying to avoid civilian deaths on those countries.Obama brought the Afghan and Pakistani presidents to the White House and said both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the battle against al-Qaeda. The Obama administration had sharply criticized both Hamid Karzai and Asif Ali Zardari in the past, questioning their commitment and capability to tackle the threat from al-Qaeda and the Taliban. On his part Zardari is seeking U.S. military aid and political support, while Karzai hopes to purge Taliban havens in Pakistan, which are destabilizing his country. "The road ahead will be difficult. There will be more violence and there will be setbacks," Obama said, with Afghanistan's Karzai and Pakistan's Zardari at his side. "But let me be clear -- the United States has made a lasting commitment to defeat al-Qaeda but also to support the democratically elected sovereign governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan. That commitment will not waiver and that support will be sustained." Posted by: Fred 2009-05-08 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=269330 |