ISLAMABAD: US Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has said that his country is working on a transition strategy in Afghanistan by starting a phased withdrawal of its troops from the country in July 2011.
He said the withdrawal process of combat troops from Afghanistan would begin in July next year and would be completed in four years in a phased manner, adding the process of withdrawal was not an exit strategy, but a transition strategy.
Speaking in a roundtable discussion arranged by Radio Pakistan here on Sunday, he said the United States had committed a mistake by abandoning Pakistan and Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal from the region in 1989, but it would not repeat the mistake. “We want to return full sovereignty to people and government of Afghanistan.”
He said there would be a summit of Nato countries next week in Lisbon that would be attended by President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai. Holbrooke said the US and other countries, including Pakistan, supported the government of President Karzai, and Taliban would have to live with this reality.
He said sources of funding for terrorists and militants came from outside Pakistan and through extortion of Nato supply convoys, adding the funding of terrorism was a serious issue and “we are addressing it”. Holbrooke said he would make announcements at the meeting of the Pakistan Development Forum (PDF) today (Monday) to demonstrate absolute commitment of the US for assistance to Pakistan.
He said the United States had so far provided about half-a-billion assistance to Pakistan so that it could cope with the aftermath of the devastating floods. To a question, he said the PDF meeting was not a pledging session, but the friends of Pakistan would listen to the priorities of the government and discuss plans.
He said 60 percent of $5.3 billion pledges made at the Tokyo meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan had been materialised so far. The US special envoy appreciated the democratic government of Pakistan for initiating the difficult decision to table pieces of legislation in the National Assembly for imposition of the flood tax and Reformed General Sales Tax. He said the world would assist Pakistan in addressing the challenge posed by the floods, but mobilisation of domestic resources would send a positive signal to the outside world that the country was serious in helping itself.
He said Pakistan was one of the most under-taxed countries in the world, and it was the obligation of the rich to contribute from their income to mitigate sufferings of the people in distress.
He said the US had worked to bridge the trust deficit with Pakistan and the leadership of the two countries had personal rapport. Holbrooke said he was personally aware of the enormous sacrifices made by the Pakistan Army in the war against terror in difficult terrains like Waziristan, Swat, Fata, Dir and Buner.
Asked whether the US support to India’s bid to seek the UN Security Council seat will be unhelpful in reducing tension between Pakistan and India, he said the US favoured greater understanding between the two countries.
“The US leadership has repeatedly stated that the two countries should work out their differences. The ability of the United States to talk freely and candidly with both Pakistan and India will help resolve the issues.”
He said Pakistan and Afghanistan would have to cooperate to resolve the issue of terrorism. “If Pakistan wishes to play a role in the process of reconciliation in Afghanistan, it would be welcomed,” he added. To a question, Holbrooke said the operation in North Waziristan would be a tactical decision to be made by the Pakistan Army and the government. “At the moment, Pakistan Army feels that it does not have the resources for the purpose,” he added.
Meanwhile, Richard Holbrooke called on Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and discussed matters of mutual interest with special focus on the meeting of the Pakistan Development Forum. Holbrooke assured the minister of the US support for the development activities for the uplift of economy and benefit of the people of Pakistan.
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