Obama extends full support to Pakistan, Afghanistan

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

Washington, 07 May, (ASiantribune.com):President Barak Obama said Wednesday that US would extend full support to Pakistan and Afghanistan to fight the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

After a series of bi-lateral and tri lateral meeting with the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan at the White House he said, he has been concerned about the stability of the democratic Pakistani government. He reiterated US supports to the duly elected governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Earlier today US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton convened a three way meeting with both - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghan head of state Hamid Karzai - saying they face a common threat, task and challenge posed by Islamic extremism.

The trilateral meeting, the second of its kind this year, comes at a critical juncture with both the Pakistani and Afghan governments facing major battlefield challenges from militant forces.

Clinton said that the administration has common cause with the two South Asian governments, who - she said - are struggling with extremists who would destabilize and undermine democracy.

US officials in recent weeks have expressed concern about the Pakistan’s commitment to fight against Taliban militants. But in his remarks at the State Department President Zardari said that the threat is common to all three countries and the burden is shared. He stressed his commitment to the fight against terrorism, and observed that, "Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US are all victims of terror,” adding that “our threat is common and so are our responsibilities."

The opening event of what are to be two days of high-level talks included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the conclusion of a border trade and transit agreement by the end of this year - an accord under discussion for more than 40 years.

- Asian Tribune -