Don't talk about strikes on Pakistan, Rice tells U.S politicians

Washington, July 6 : U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has warned American politicians not to talk about launching strikes in Pakistan, describing that country as a key ally in the global war against terror.

"One has to be a little careful about what you say about the territory of a sovereign state with which you are not at war," the Dawn quoted Rice as saying in response to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's suggestions that U.S. and NATO troops can enter Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) while pursuing militants fleeing Afghanistan.

Talking to Bloomberg Television, Rice acknowledged that there was an ongoing debate in American political circles about how to deal with the situation in Pakistan's tribal areas, and admitted that Al Qaeda "has certain strengths and continues to have certain strengths in this area".

That being said, the US should continue to work with Pakistan to root out terrorism, instead of threatening it with unilateral actions, Rice said.

"The United States is acting with Pakistan to deal with the terrorism threat. We have done this in working with the Pakistanis and working together to share intelligence and working together to deal with threats when they emerge," Rice said.

"Everybody needs to do more. But I would be very careful with what I say about the territory of a sovereign state," she concluded.

ANI