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This is the message his special envoy Richard Holbrooke, currently in Islamabad, has been asked to deliver to Pakistan, Obama said.
"My bottom line is that we cannot allow Al Qaida to operate. We cannot have those safe havens in that region," Obama said in his first press conference after assuming office on January 20.
"You've got the Taliban and Al-Qaida operating in the Federally-administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and these border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan," Obama said.
The 47-year-old President said one of the goals of Holbrooke, as he is traveling throughout the region, is to deliver a message to Pakistan that they are "endangered as much as we are by the continuation of those operations, and that we've got to work in a regional fashion to root out those safe havens."
Obama, who took questions on the situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in his hour-long news conference, said the US has not seen concerted efforts to destroy such 'safe havens'.
"What we haven't seen is the kind of concerted effort to root out those safe havens that would ultimately make our mission successful," he said.
"We're going to have to work both smartly and effectively, but with consistency in order to make sure that those safe havens don't exist," he said.
The new administration is carrying out a thorough review of the US policies on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Obama said he appointed Holbrooke as Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan with the purpose of eradicating terrorism from the restive tribal areas.
Holbrooke is currently in Pakistan from where he would be going to Afghanistan and then to India, for meeting and consulting with the leaders and people in the region.
"I've sent over - Richard Holbrooke, one of our top diplomats - to evaluate a regional approach. We are going to need more effective coordination of our military efforts with diplomatic efforts with development efforts with more effective coordination with our allies in order for us to be successful," Obama said.
When asked if he had any timetable for withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, Obama said: "I do not have yet a timetable for how long that's going to take. What I know is I'm not going to make - I'm not going to allow al-Qaida or Osama Bin Laden to operate with impunity, planning attacks on the US homeland."
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Sounds good and promising but people do not try to make point of timid way of putting the things.Not even once he blamed/accused Pakistan and its ISI like forces who are fully responsible to train and establish the terroists' net-work.Being too much diplommatic means the same old double-standard politics.If someone has heard Obama's speech will make the difference what mostly think bold and courageous act.He said they(Pakistan)is as much endagered as We are!Does he think Pakistanis don't know how far they are endangered?The facts say its Pak own creation and the major source to black-mail USA and other countries and milk out maximum funds/aid.Is the same old wine in new bottles.People are used to salute the rising sun and see for brighter day.He didn't even once mentioned about other European or Asian countries or even India sufering most under Pakistani Terrorism.Clear vision alone won't help solve the problem but action and strick practical policy.No aid to Pak till Terror exists.
pakis understand only the language used by Mr.Obama. Gordon Brown should use the same language instead of begging...........
President Obama is very much focussed to root out terror from the world, for the betterment of human kind. Indians are thankful to President Obama for his clear ideas and clear thoughts. Though UK may have some problems due to domestic reasons, but Presdient Obama has very strong backing to root out terrorism for once and all. May God grant President Obama the strength to completely root out terrorism so that world can be a better place to live.
India had been crying for the last 20 years against Pakistan backed terrorism but USA has either not relised its gravity or did not bother about it as USA felt it is situated at safe distence. If USA would have realised it 9/11 would not have taken place. But USA has a history like Pearl Harbour so no body can help them.
Obama's approach sounds excellent in principle. India strongly feels that while dealing with terrorism, mind should not be allowed to be distracted by linking with agitations sponsored by self proclaimed leaders for gaining independence for some region and unleashing genocide and murder of innocent civilians. Democratic solution to any problem lies squarely in peaceful negotiations and no excuse can justify violence.
A knowledgeble Pakistani suggested that USA consider helping the Pakistani people that are not partners with terrorists. People shoved it by the election last year.USA needs clipping the Pakistani military wings.The military is hand in glove with terrorists to rule over Pakistan. Will Obama consder this wisdom and go deep into the Military mind of the Pakistani partnerhip with terrirism?
If Barrack Obma's administration has understood that the root to Al-Qaida and Taliban lies in Pakistan, then he is half way through. He should now understand that there are other terrorist organizations inside Pakistan's mainland and in the PoK namely Jamat, HUJI, LeT and many other similar organizations, which are operating with the active support of Pakistan Army and ISI. If terrorism is to be rooted out, then Pakistan has to be controlled fully. Obama should spell out his action plan to tackle this. If the safe havens in Pakistan are destroyed, the world will live in peace as more than 90% of terrorist activities in the world are from Pakistan soil. The US should also stop all types of financial aids to Pakistan in the name of combating terrorism, since this money is utilized only for aiding and abetting terrorism and not used against it.
Hello, where is the action Mr Obama? Taliban is more active in pak than in Afghanistan a glaring diplomatic failure. Your government has just given pak money to buy arms. You have closed down Guntanomo and all the prisoners are landing in Al Qaeda / Taliban. The US and UK media continues with muslim appeasement and jew bashing policies. Empty words Mr. Obama!!!
US must have realised that it will suffer with it's own Ghosts.Let us assume, they think and act sensibly.
Looks there is at least one influential person who seem to see things factually.It's a long way to go and very tough hard decisions have to be made.Will he remain consistent?