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"Pak will no longer get hard cash to tackle terror"

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Islamabad, Oct 21 : US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher has said that the "Friends of Pakistan" will not offer hard cash to the strife-torn country to fight terror, because in the past it had been witnessed that the agreements (between Pakistan government and the militants) were not enforced properly and timely and "this helped the terrorists".

"This will not be a cash advance. It is a strategic group to combine efforts being made by Pakistan and its friends. The goal is not to put money on the table, but to look as to how to supplement Pakistan's efforts," said Boucher after attending the "Friends of Pakistan" meet in Islamabad.

About the US earning "unpopularity" by the day in Pakistan, particularly in the wake of the recent relentless bombings of innocent people in the tribal belt, Boucher said, "the US was not here for a popularity vote."

"There is problem in the tribal areas. These people go to Afghanistan to shoot Americans then they return to shoot Pakistanis. More than a thousand Pakistanis have been killed. The US is always accused but our goal is to work with Pakistan," he added.

Commenting on finding a political way out of the "war against terror", Boucher said no practical negotiations were going on and the US was abiding by its principled position that while talking to those interested in peace talks they have to abandon the gun, not allow foreigners and others to fight here.

"We have to be realistic and we will not allow peace talks for them to build up their capabilities. Earlier, the agreements were not enforced and this helped the terrorists," he warned.

The "Friends of Pakistan" was also attended by ambassadors of friendly nations who were interested in bailing Pakistan out of its present economic situation.

He said that the US will continue to use military means to fight terrorism in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is satisfied with Pakistan's military action against terrorism. "However, there is realisation as well that Islamabad and Kabul can also resort to finding a way out through a political process for those militants who are ready to put down their weapons," The News quoted Boucher as saying while speaking to the media on the last leg of his three-day visit to Pakistan.

He added: "In my meetings I have focused on the security and economic situation and have expressed support for the tough action against terrorism taken by both sides Pakistan and Afghanistan. Our goal is to work with Pakistan while training and providing equipment. We try to work together strengthening governments on both sides of the border. That is our goal. It is good and we are glad that Pakistan is taking military action against the terrorists."

ANI

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