[Dawn] The US warning on Death Eaters based in Pakistain goes against counter-terrorism cooperation between the two allies, the foreign ministry said on Thursday."We believe these remarks are not in line with the cooperation that exists between the two countries," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tehmina Janjua.
She was referring to comments by Defence Secretary Leon Panetta
...current SecDef, previously Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Panetta served as President Bill Clinton's White House Chief of Staff from 1994 to 1997 and was a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1977 to 1993....
that the United States would do whatever it takes to defend American forces in Afghanistan from Pakistain-based thugs.
US officials, including Panetta, suspect Death Eaters from the Haqqani network were behind Tuesday's rocket attack on the US Embassy compound in Kabul, as well as a truck bomb last Saturday that maimed 77 American forces.
"Time and again we've urged the Paks to exercise their influence over these kinds of attacks from the Haqqanis. And we have made very little progress in that area," Panetta told news hounds flying with him to San Francisco on Wednesday.
"I think the message they need to know is: we're going to do everything we can to defend our forces."
Pak officials said it was the responsibility of US-led forces to crack down on Death Eaters when they enter Afghanistan.
"We are using all our resources to fight terrorism. As far as these issues like Haqqani network launching attacks from Pak territory is concerned, has any proof ever been given?" said a senior Pak military official who asked not to be named.
A senior Pak government official involved in defence policy said the South Asian country, reliant on billions of dollars in US aid, was doing all it could to stop Death Eaters from crossing the border to Afghanistan.
"But if the Death Eaters are doing something inside Afghanistan, then it is the responsibility of the Afghan and Western forces to hold them on the borders," he said.
"They let everyone go scot-free on their side (of the border) and then they say Pakistain is not doing enough."
Panetta said he was concerned about the Haqqanis' ability to attack American troops and then "escape back into what is a safe haven in Pakistain".
"And that's unacceptable," Panetta said.
Some US officials in Washington said relations were still heavily strained.
"The bilateral relationship is still in deep trouble but the atmospherics are a bit better. Name calling has largely ended for now," said former senior CIA analyst Bruce Riedel, who has advised Obama on policy in South Asia.
"Distrust has not gone away, nor has the fundamental difference in the approach to terror.