A top American General has said that the US cannot defeat al-Qaeda without the support of Pakistan, as he underlined that Islamabad’s co-operation on counter-terrorism issues have not been on the expected lines.
“Our strategic and national security goals remain to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-Qaeda and to prevent the return of safe havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This would not be possible without Pakistani support,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey said in a written reply to the questions by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“We also have an interest in a stable Pakistan and the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology. On the security front, we have a more limited relationship than in the past, but I believe it is a pragmatic and constructive approach,” said Dempsey, who has been re-nominated by President Barack Obama for the same post.
“Pakistan’s cooperation on counter-terrorism has not always met our expectations. Since 2009, Pakistan has undertaken counter-insurgency operations against extremist organisations in the northwest, including Swat, North and South Waziristan, Mohmand, and Bajaur with mixed results,” he said when asked about the co-operation being received by Pakistan on counter-terrorism issues.
“Security assistance, Coalition Support Fund reimbursements, and cross-border coordination with ISAF and Afghan forces have helped enable these operations. It is in our interest that Pakistan continues this campaign as effectively and comprehensively as possible,” he said.
Arguing for a continued close engagement with the Pakistan military, Dempsey said as Pakistan’s democratic consolidation progresses, the US must ensure that it maintain military-to-military ties.
“I will continue a frank and respectful dialogue about our shared interests in countering extremist and promoting regional stability. Security cooperation cannot succeed without the buy-in of Pakistani leadership and continued support of the US Congress,” he said.
Observing that military-to-military ties with Pakistan are an important aspect of the broader bilateral relationship, he said: “Our engagements, and especially our security assistance programs, are essential for effective military cooperation between our two countries.”
Dempsey said he has engaged productively with Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani, many times in the past, and the Office of the Defense Representative in Pakistan plays an important role in building and sustaining military-military ties at lower levels.
“These relationships allow us to engage Pakistan in clearly defined areas of shared concern such as maintaining regional stability, curbing violent extremism, and countering the threat of improvised explosive devices,” he said.