">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Obama makes Pakistan center of Al-Qaeda war
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Obama makes Pakistan center of Al-Qaeda war
AFP - Saturday, March 28
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - President Barack Obama on Friday warned that Al-Qaeda is a "cancer" that could devour nuclear-armed Pakistan, as he unveiled a sweeping new strategy for the "increasingly perilous" Afghan war.
ADVERTISEMENT
Obama vowed to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat" Osama bin Laden's group, which he said was plotting deadly new assaults and made Pakistan the epicenter of the new US approach, more than seven years after the September 11 attacks.
He said he would plunge 4,000 more US troops into the unfinished war, triple US aid to Pakistan to 7.5 billion dollars over five years, attempt to peel away more moderate Taliban factions and lead a global civilian surge to Afghanistan.
The president candidly spelled out expectations of the United States, its allies and Pakistan, raising the stakes in a war that is killing more Americans than Iraq and reaping a rising civilian toll.
"Multiple intelligence estimates have warned that Al-Qaeda is actively planning attacks on the US homeland from its safe-haven in Pakistan," Obama said in a sober televised speech.
"We have a clear and focused goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al-Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan and to prevent their return to either country in the future," he said as he released results of a 60-day policy review.
"That is a cause that could not be more just. And to the terrorists who oppose us, my message is the same: we will defeat you."
Flanked by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Obama backed a Senate bill to triple US aid to Pakistan's democratic government to 1.5 billion dollars a year over five years.
"Make no mistake, Al-Qaeda and its extremist allies are a cancer that risks killing Pakistan from within," he said, hours after a suicide bomb at a mosque in Pakistan killed more than 50 people and wounded 50 more.
But he warned Pakistan must play a more active role in eliminating the terrorists on its soil.
"After years of mixed results, we will not and cannot provide a blank check.
"Pakistan must demonstrate its commitment to rooting out Al Qaida and the violent extremists within its borders.
"We will insist that action be taken, one way or another, when we have intelligence about high-level terrorist targets."
Earlier, following reports that more US missile strikes on Pakistan militant targets could be part of the US tactics, Pakistan's foreign ministry asked Washington to reconsider.
"Pakistans concerns in this regard have been conveyed to the US government at the highest level," foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said.
On Afghanistan, there was little of the rhetoric seen in the previous Bush administration that foresaw the country as a democratic bastion.
"We will shift the emphasis of our mission to training and increasing the size of Afghan security forces so that they can eventually take the lead in securing their country," Obama said.
"That's how we will prepare Afghans to take responsibility for their security and how we will, ultimately, be able to bring our own troops home."
The 4,000 extra US troops -- on top of the 17,000 already authorized by the president -- will partner Afghan security forces.
Obama also called on US global partners to join his push to send more civilian and development workers to Afghanistan, and warned that he would not turn a "blind eye" to corruption in the Afghan government .
He said the strategy establishes clear benchmarks to judge the effort by the United States and its allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Officials also said they expected to secure pledges for additional military help in Afghanistan when Obama presents the strategy at the NATO alliance annual summit on the France-Germany border.
Said Jawad, Afghanistan's ambassador to Washington, said Kabul was "very grateful" to the Obama administration for "this new strategy for victory ."
"The Afghan government is committed to working with the US and our allies to implement this strategy," he said in a statement.
Pakistan's ambassador to Washington, Husain Haqqani, said it was an "extraordinarily positive" sign that Obama was re-examining US policy in the region.
He said Pakistan was "especially pleased" about Obama's personal commitment to "reinvigorating our common efforts to contain terrorism and extremism."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
British Airways ends direct flights to BangladeshAFP - Saturday, March 28
Afghan, Pakistani leaders praise new US strategyAP - Saturday, March 28
Japan OKs deployment of missile defense systemAP - Saturday, March 28
Morkel, Boucher trump Hussey and AustraliaAFP - Saturday, March 28
Radioactive material found in China: state mediaAFP - Saturday, March 28
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Hot tea linked with throat cancer
Pope 'publicly distorted' condom science: Lancet
Red meat raises death risk, white meat lowers it
Scientists see asteroid hurtle to Earth
Goods reappear in Zimbabwe shops
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 28 March 2009 Italy's Josef Fritzl arrested for incest and abuse
| International
|
Russia to boost Arctic troops to defend resources
| International
|
Pink Panther jewel thief suspect held in Cyprus
| International
|
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA
| Technology
|
New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescue
| Technology
|
No more oil rigs for ousted American Idol Sarver
| Entertainment
|
Geoffrey Rush debuts on Broadway to rave reviews
| Entertainment
|
No. 1 lady detective series?
| Entertainment
|
Welcome to Hawaii Pacific Teleport
Singapore News
Bolshoi Theatre may not reopen till 2013: report
Singapore News
Singapore News
Iraq to move Iranian opposition group: official
Japan deploys defense for North Korea rocket launch
| International
|
Iran, Venezuela revise ties ahead of Chavez visit
China turns to Buddhism to calm Tibet, Taiwan tensions
| International
|
Obama widens war against al-Qaida in Afghanistan
Brown calls for global unity on crisis, IMF reform
Guatemala finds Mexico drug smuggler training camp
| International
|
Suicide bomb in Pakistan mosque kills about 50
Russia, Azerbaijan in talks on gas deal: Gazprom
Pakistan's ISI still linked to militants, U.S. says
| International
|
Fallujah is test case for post-US Iraq
US consumer spending up for second month
Malaysia readies for new PM promising reform
| International
|
US judge orders Iran to pay $25M for Hamas killing
Fresh fighting in south Philippines kills 27 people
| International
|
Afghanistan backs US plan as fighting rages
Turkey's local polls set to give Erdogan reform boost
| International
|
Major dates in Fallujah's war
Obama makes Pakistan center of Al-Qaeda war
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA
| Technology
|
NEC to quit PC market abroad with Asia-Pacific exit
| Technology
|
Obama puts Pakistan at center of Al-Qaeda war
Americans spend eight hours a day on screens
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 599
Google to expand TV ad service to online video
Official: Intel predicts rising Afghan violence
New technologies coming to Web start-ups' rescue
Grim US newspaper ad revenue figures released
UN chief hails Obama's new Afghan strategy
Google to cut 200 sales, marketing jobs
Outcry after new Ground Zero tower loses 'Freedom'
Turkish PM raises objections to Rasmussen's NATO bid
Russia to end Chechnya anti-terror mission
Mexico wants more U.S. funding for drugs battle
Republican in court over N. Ireland killings
'Italy's Fritzl' sequestered daughter for 25 years
British PM eyes royal reform: reports
Designer sues Courtney Love over Web rants
| Entertainment
|
British Airways ends direct flights to Bangladesh
Rapper T.I. sentenced to one year on gun charges
| Entertainment
|
Afghan, Pakistani leaders praise new US strategy
Devoted music fans pay top dollar for deluxe sets
| Entertainment
|
Japan OKs deployment of missile defense system
Geoffrey Rush debuts on Broadway to rave reviews
The Dead aim to foil scalpers with charity auction
| Entertainment
|
Morkel, Boucher trump Hussey and Australia
Radioactive material found in China: state media
French visits to patch up ties in China
Former Thai PM Thaksin points finger of blame
Japan says ready to shoot down NKorea missile
India's Spice puts bid for fraud-hit Satyam on hold: report
Designer sues Courtney Love over Web rants
Thai ex-PM adds to calls for gov't to resign
Vietnam Q1 growth lowest in decade: official
The Dead aim to foil scalpers with charity auction
Afghan president welcomes new US strategy
China Construction Bank profits up 34 percent
Vanessa Redgrave reschedules Cathedral appearance
China ready to contribute more to IMF fund
Rapper T.I. sentenced to one year on gun charges
Pakistan targets 350 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
Smithsonian unveils 6 design models for new museum
Australia sets conditions on China mine purchase
CNBC's Dylan Ratigan leaving `Fast Money'
No more oil rigs for ousted "American Idol" Sarver
Madonna applies to adopt girl in Malawi
Courtney Love's apparent online rants now in court
Longtime NBC newsman Irving R. Levine dies at 86
Mobile software, data fees in spotlight at CTIA
Markets soar on stimulus plan despite WTO warning
Singapore News
Singapore News
Singapore News
Pakistan spies under heat in new US strategy
Kabul hails US plan as "better than expected"
Militants destroy 12 NATO trucks in Pakistan
Venezuela, Iran FMs meet ahead of Chavez visit
Madonna due in Malawi to adopt second child
Soros sees risk of Britain needing IMF bailout
US space shuttle heads back home
Australia kicks off Earth Hour climate campaign
Australia turns the lights out for Earth Hour
Medvedev, Obama to agree arms declaration: Kremlin
Pacific switches off lights for Earth Hour
American Language Center to reopen in Syria
Obama team takes its climate change agenda abroad
New US strategy better than expected: Karzai
US takes new climate change agenda to global talks
NEC to quit PC market abroad with Asia-Pacific exit
California politician wants to censor online maps
Thousands in London for pre-G20 march
EU ministers seek to reassure Balkan nations
Pakistan's Zardari backs Sharif govt return in Punjab
Pakistan president moves to end political crisis
Afghan president backs new US strategy for war
China marks "emancipation" of Tibet with new holiday
Australia kicks off Earth Hour climate campaign
'Thousands' of Chinese workers heading to Vietnam
Taiwan's ruling party wins key by-election
S.Korea vice fin min sees "good signs" in econ -reports
Nehru relative arrested in India
Pakistani cenbank buys 9 bln rupees of T-bills
Afghan leader: US strategy better than expected
Philippine troops near militants' base withdraw
Heigl says she'll stay if 'Grey's' will have her
Report: North Korea launch would go before UN
Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
CNN likely third-place network in prime-time
Burst Indonesia damn kills 77, 100 still missing
Death toll from Indonesia dam burst rises to 77
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 77
Dam bursts near Indonesian capital, killing 69
Death toll in Indonesia's dam burst climbs to 69
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights