Clinton tells Pakistan 'this is our struggle'
Hillary Clinton says US stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Pakistan after country suffers latest bloody terrorist attack
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Oct 2009 05:37
By Matthew Champion.
Hillary Clinton has said the US stands "shoulder to shoulder" with Pakistan as the country suffered another deadly attack by insurgents.
More than 90 people were killed when Taliban fighters conducted a suicide car bomb attack at a market in Peshawar, the capital of the province the Pakistani army is currently conducting a massive offensive against militants in.
Full story: Scores die as blast destroys Pakistan market.
At the time of the attack US secretary of state Mrs Clinton was arriving in Islamabad, just three hours south of Peshawar, for talks with Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
In a joint press conference she said Washington and Islamabad faced "shared challenges".
"We are in the midst of an ongoing struggle against tenacious and brutal extremist groups who kill innocent people and terrorise communities," Mrs Clinton said.
"In recent weeks Pakistan has endured a barrage of attacks. I would like to convey my sympathy along with that of the American people to the people of Pakistan.
"This fight is not Pakistan's alone - these extremists are committed to destroying that which is dear to us as much as they are committed to destroying what is dear to you and all people.
"This is our struggle as well and we commend the Pakistani military in their struggle."
After condemning the "nihilistic, empty... [and] cowardly" attacks, Mrs Clinton argued US-Pakistani relations went "far beyond security".
"We are on a journey towards an effective, responsive and enduring democracy," she said.
Mr Qureshi earlier said a "clear shift" in relations between Washington and Islamabad was being witnessed.
He said this new "people-centric relationship" including shared objectives and favouring trade over aid would be "very potent".
"We are democracies... and you have supported transition to democracy in Pakistan," he told journalists. "So democracies, I think, have to redraw terms of engagement in our very positive, very constructive engagement."
Security in Pakistan has steadily unravelled since the exit of former army chief, coup leader and president Pervez Musharraf.
Taliban linked militants managed to establish a foothold further into Pakistan in Swat beyond their traditional mountain strongholds before being forced out by a massive military offensive earlier this year.
As coalition forces in Afghanistan battle to flush out al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in the border between the two countries, Pakistan's army is stepping up operations in the North West Frontier Province.
Several deadly attacks upon civilians in Pakistan's major cities have taken place since the most recent stage of the offensive began.