Zardari Sees Lengthy Afghan Stay By U.S.
Pakistan's president Asif Ali Zardari on Friday urged Pakistanis to prepare for a long-term presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan in contrast to Washington's quick withdrawal from supporting the central Asian country after the 1989 retreat of troops from the former Soviet Union.
Mr. Zardari's comments to a small group of journalists representing news organizations including CBS News, were his first public remarks on issues related to the fight against militancy in Pakistan since the military attacked Taliban militants in the northern Swat valley earlier this month.
Just hours after he spoke, Pakistani TV channels reported that at least six people were killed in a car bomb attack in Peshawar, the northern frontier province, where the Swat valley is located. Security officials in their first assessments said the attack was likely to have been carried out by Taliban militants retaliating against the military's action in Swat.
"There is no way America can go back (from Afghanistan). America went back from Korea, the Koreans didn't follow them to America. America went back from Vietnam, the Vietnamese didn't follow them to America," Zardari said. "Somebody attacked 9/11 from Afghanistan. Osama himself admits that they've attacked America. They accept that they've attacked America. This time around there is no question of ever disengagement (of the US from Afghanistan)."
Western diplomats said Zardari's comments were part of an effort by the Pakistani leader to persuade his fellow citizens to accept a long-term US presence along the country's border with Afghanistan.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is rife in parts of Pakistan, though Western officials acknowledge that Zardari and other ruling politicians are keen to build closer ranks with Washington, in expectation of long-term economic support.
"They (U.S.) will have to stay here (in the region surrounding Pakistan) and have some presence always around," he said. "This is (fight against militancy) not something which will finish so fast. Developing Afghanistan is a long-term commitment; they can not afford not to develop Afghanistan."
One western diplomat who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity said the U.S. was keen to support Zardari who took over as a democratic leader after former General Pervez Musharraf was forced to resign in August 2008 when faced with a likely parliamentary impeachment.
However, the U.S. was also worried over the challenges faced by Zardari's government, notably the growing issue of militancy.
"Pakistan is a very difficult country to govern right now," said the diplomat. "President Zardari is surrounded by difficult issues but the Obama administration in the U.S. is keen for this government to stabilize soon."