Progress by Pak in tackling terror not quick as we like: Obama

Mumbai, Nov 7 (PTI) US President Barack Obama Sunday
said the progress by Pakistan in fighting terrorism is not
quick as "we would like" and asserted that they were working
with Islamabad to eradicate extremism which is a "cancer".

Noting that there are going to be some elements in
Pakistan that are affiliated with Taliban, Al Qaeda and
Lashkar-e-Toiba, he said they are "irreconcilable" and there
needs to be a military response to those who perpetrate
violence like they did in the west Indian city of Mumbai and
in New York in a "significant, ongoing" way.
Obama also observed that it would surprise Indians
when he says this that it is in India's interest that Pakistan
remains "peaceful, stable and prosperous" and that the US will
work with Islamabad to reject extremism which is a "cancer"
which threatens to engulf it.
Interacting with students of St Xaviers College here
in a typical US town-hall style meeting, he expressed
confidence that in time, trust develops between India and
Pakistan and dialogue begins perhaps from "less controversial
issues building upto more controversial issues".
"India and Pakistan can prosper and live side by side,
this will not happen tomorrow but needs to be the ultimate
goal. The US can be a partner but cannot impose this process.
India and Pakistan have their own understanding," he said.
He made these comments when a girl student asked why
Pakistan was not being declared a terrorist state by the US.
Obama reacted that it was a good question and said "I
must admit that I was expecting it".

Obama said Pakistan is an "enormous" country, a
strategically important country not just for the US but for
the world, a country whose people have enormous potential.
"But it is also right now a country within which there
are some of the extremist elements that we discussed in the
first question (related to jehad). That is not unique to
Pakistan, it exists.
"Pakistan government is very aware of that and what we
have tried to do in the last several years is to engage
aggresively with Pakistan government to communicate that we
want nothing more than a stable, prosperous and peaceful
Pakistan," he said.
The US President said they would work with Pakistan
government in order to eradicate this extremism that they
considered as a cancer which can potentially engulf the
country.
"I think Pakistan government understands now the
potential threat that exists within their own border. Lot more
Pakistanis were killed by terrorists inside Pakistan than
probably anywhere else...I think there is a growing
recognition but it is something that does not happen
overnight," Obama said.
He said he was absolutely convinced that the country
that has the biggest stake in Pakistan's success is India.
"I think that if Pakistan is unstable, that is bad for
India. And if Pakistan is stable and prosperous, that is good
for India because India is on the move. It is absolutely in
India's interest that stability in Pakistan is stability in
the region," he said.
"Our feeling has been to be honest and forthright with
Pakistan to say we are your friend, this (extremism) is a
problem and we will help you but the problem has to be
addressed," he said.
Asked about his views on jehad and jehadis, Obama
regretted that the great religion of Islam is in the hands of
a few extremists and has been "distorted" to justify violence
towards innocent people.
"One of the challenges we face is how do we isolate
those who have these distorted notions of religious war," he
said as he spoke of the need to "fundamentally" reject the
notion that "violence is the way to mediate our differences".
The President said the existence of diverse religious
beliefs was a "major challenge" not only in India but also
around the world.

Obama said the partenership between India and the US
has "limitless potential" to improve the lives of people of
the two countries.
"Indo-US relations will be indispensable in shaping
the 21st century...The US has enormous fondness for India.
India is going to be a critical partner for the US in 21st
century," he said in his opening remarks at the interaction
which were prefaced by a 'namaste'.
"There is bipartisan belief in the US that India is
going to be a critical partner. It has been true always
whether it is George W Bush presidency or Bill Clinton's,
Democrats or Republicans. I don't think that fundamental
belief is not going to be altered anyway," he said.
Looking forward to Monday summit talks with Indian
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Obama said he will be
discussing with him how the two countries can advance
cooperation in 21st century not only for India and the US but
for the world.
"Specific announcements on issues like
counter-terrorism, regional security and clean energy will be
announced after the talks," he said.
On oft-repeated assertions by US officials that India
is a rising power, Obama said, "India is not just a rising
power, India has already risen, we wish India's emergence as
good for the US and the world."
He said India can become a model among countries
striving for food security.
As President of the US, Obama said, though his
responsibility is to his country, "we are in a relationship
with others so I cannot ignore abuse of human rights in other
countries" like Myanmar.
Refering to the elections in Myanmar, Obama said, they
are "anything but free and fair".
India and the US as big democracies have a role to
speak for democracy in other parts of the world where it has
not taken firm foundation, he said adding the US would not
like to impose the system of governance in other countries.
On Afghanistan, Obama said a "stable" Afghanistan is
achievable. PTI MPB