Obama calls Pakistan valuable partner in anti-terror fight

WASHINGTOn(APP): President Barack Obama said Thursday Pakistan has been a valuable partner in U.S. efforts to stamp out al-Qaeda network, but desired that Islamabad remain mindful of US interests in the region.

“I have a great desire to help Pakistan,” the president told a press conference while answering a question. Obama said the successes the US had achieved against al-Qaeda would not have been possible without Pakistan’s help.

Pakistan, he added, has been an effective partner on a whole range of issues. The president said he was working on the reorientation of Pakistan’s policy in the Pak-Afghan region.

At the same time, Obama said he is concerned by Pakistan’s military and intelligence community’s ties to what he  called “unsavory characters.” But he said he is not inclined to cut off U.S. aid to Pakistan because he has a great desire to help the Pakistani people.

The president’s comments follow Admiral Mike Mullen’s claim that the Haqqani insurgent network acts as “a veritable arm”  of Pakistan’s intelligence agency. Obama did not endorse Mullen’s assertion.  

“But there’s no doubt that we’re not going to feel comfortable with a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan if we don’t think that they’re mindful of our interests as well,” Obama said.