West Point (USA): US President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the United States would not tolerate Pakistan allowing its territory to be a safe haven for militants and urged Islamabad to fight the "cancer" of extremism.
In an address to unveil a new strategy for the eight-year war in Afghanistan, Obama said a cancer had taken root in Pakistan's border region with Afghanistan and promised US help to end it.
"We will strengthen Pakistan's capacity to target those groups that threaten our countries, and have made it clear that we cannot tolerate a safe-haven for terrorists whose location is known and whose intentions are clear," Obama said.
"We need a strategy that works on both sides of the border," he added, outlining a plan to send 30,000 additional US troops to Afghanistan.
Obama praised Pakistan for its recent efforts to rout extremism in the Swat region and South Waziristan. "There is no doubt that the United States and Pakistan share a common enemy," he said.
But he offered no details on how the United States would help Pakistan fight extremism.
In October, the United States pledged a new aid programme for Pakistan, tripling nonmilitary assistance to $1.5 billion a year for the next five years. But Pakistan's military complained there were too many conditions attached.
"Going forward, the Pakistani people must know: America will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan's security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent, so that the great potential of its people can be unleashed," said Obama.
The pledge for a closer relationship comes as Pakistan's civilian government is teetering. Some officials in Islamabad fear the US surge in Afghanistan will further destabilize their country.
Obama tried to allay those concerns, saying his new strategy would help stabilise the region.
"I make this decision because I am convinced that our security is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is the epicenter of the violent extremism practiced by al-Qaeda."
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