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 Nuclear-armed Pakistan has long been suspected by the West of
playing a double game, fighting some militants while supporting
those its generals have regarded as strategic assets to be used
against rivals and neighbours, India and Afghanistan.
Visiting Pakistan after going to India at the weekend, Kerry said
all militant groups should be targeted to bring security to the
region.
"Terror groups like the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani
network, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other groups continue to pose a threat
to Pakistan, to its neighbours and to the United States," Kerry told
a news conference in Islamabad, listing some of the most feared
groups.
"And all of us have a responsibility to ensure that these groups do
not gain a foothold but rather are pushed back into the recesses of
(Pakistan’s) memory... Make no mistake. The task is a difficult one
and it is not done."
Most U.S.-led forces in neighbouring Afghanistan officially
completed their combat mission last month, prompting concern about
the stability of the region where insurgents have been increasingly
aggressive in past months.
Following the attack on the Peshawar school in which 134 children
were killed, Pakistan has promised to stop differentiating between
"good" and "bad" militants and to step up operations against their
hideouts on the Afghan border.
Before leaving Pakistan for Geneva, where he is due to meet Iranian
Foreign Minister Jawad Zarif, Kerry had been expected to travel to
the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar to visit the victims but
the plan was scrapped.
"Kerry had hoped to make a brief trip to Peshawar to visit survivors
of the school massacre recovering in a hospital there but weather
concerns forced him to cancel," said a senior State Department
official.
FURTHER AID
The United States identified Pakistan as a key partner in its war
against terror following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and spent
billions of dollars on military aid to help the country fight
insurgents.
But there is growing consternation in Washington about continuing
with the same level of assistance unless Pakistan provides evidence
it is using the funds effectively to eliminate militants holed up in
its territory.
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Kerry said, however, Washington would provide an additional $250
million in food, shelter and other assistance to help people
displaced by conflict in tribal areas.
"We expect our defence forces to remain engaged in counterterrorism
operations for some time in the foreseeable future," said Pakistani
foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz.
"Continuation of coalition support fund reimbursements are therefore
a valuable support that must continue in the interests of both
countries."
He reassured his counterpart that "action will be taken without
discrimination against all groups".
But, although observers have noted some progress, most agree that
Pakistan has yet to show it is seriously committed to go after all
groups equally, including the powerful Haqqani network which attacks
targets in Afghanistan from its bases in Pakistan.
"Obviously, the proof is going to be in the pudding," Kerry said.
"It will be seen over the next days, weeks, months, how extensive
and how successful this effort is going to be."
Aziz said, however, that the Haqqani group’s infrastructure had been
“totally destroyed” as a result of the Pakistani army’s operation in
a tribal region that has long been regarded as a safe haven for
militants.
"Their ability to operate from here across to Afghanistan has
virtually disappeared," Aziz said.
(Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)
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