ID :
14135
Mon, 07/28/2008 - 20:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/14135
The shortlink copeid
Pak funding Mujahideen in Kashmir is counterproductive: Obama
New York, Jul 28 (PTI) Noting that Pakistan has tolerated or in some cases funded the Mujahideen in Kashmir, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has said suchefforts are "counterproductive" for Islamabad.
Ahead of his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Obama said historically Pakistan has tolerated or in some cases funded the Mujahideen because they think it's somehow helpful to them in Kashmir which continues to be a "constant instigator" of tension between Islamabad andNew Delhi.
"We have to have an honest conservation about how counterproductive that is," Obama said in an interview,published in the Wall Street Journal Monday.
Asked whether U.S. should play a role in negotiations been Pakistan and India, he said, "use that as an example of how we need to think comprehensively about the region. If one of the central concerns of Pakistan is its security posture towards India, then we need to put that on the table fordiscussion as we try to solve the problems in Afghanistan".
Asked about the forthcoming talks between Gilani and President George Bush in Washington, Obama said the U.S. mustemphasise the importance of closing down terrorist camps.
"It's not just in the interest of Afghan security, or U.S. security, it is in the interest of Pakistani securitythat we shut down those bases down," he said.
"I know that the new prime minister is coming to Washington. I'll be very interested hearing what he has to say. Obviously, they're a new government. There just getting their sea legs. But I think it's very important that we emphasise to them how serious we take these base camps," headded.
Ahead of his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Obama said historically Pakistan has tolerated or in some cases funded the Mujahideen because they think it's somehow helpful to them in Kashmir which continues to be a "constant instigator" of tension between Islamabad andNew Delhi.
"We have to have an honest conservation about how counterproductive that is," Obama said in an interview,published in the Wall Street Journal Monday.
Asked whether U.S. should play a role in negotiations been Pakistan and India, he said, "use that as an example of how we need to think comprehensively about the region. If one of the central concerns of Pakistan is its security posture towards India, then we need to put that on the table fordiscussion as we try to solve the problems in Afghanistan".
Asked about the forthcoming talks between Gilani and President George Bush in Washington, Obama said the U.S. mustemphasise the importance of closing down terrorist camps.
"It's not just in the interest of Afghan security, or U.S. security, it is in the interest of Pakistani securitythat we shut down those bases down," he said.
"I know that the new prime minister is coming to Washington. I'll be very interested hearing what he has to say. Obviously, they're a new government. There just getting their sea legs. But I think it's very important that we emphasise to them how serious we take these base camps," headded.
