Islamabad, January 13: US Vice President Joe Biden delivered a bold message of support for key anti-terror ally Pakistan during a trip to Islamabad Wednesday, telling the country that America is “not the enemy of Islam”.
Biden spoke following talks with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Zardari is also due to visit the United States this week.
In a joint press conference with Gilani, Biden said the discussions had been “extremely useful” before he turned to address anti-American sentiment, fanned by the ongoing war in Afghanistan and a covert US drone campaign on the border.
“There are… some sections in Pakistani society and elsewhere that suggest America disrespects Islam and its followers,” Biden told reporters at the prime minister’s residence.
“We are not the enemies of Islam and we embrace those who practise that great religion in all our country,” he added. “Islam is the fastest growing religion in the US and a part of our country”.
He said people belonging to every religion enjoy complete freedom in US, challenging that no one name a single country which provided such liberty to its citizens.
Biden said militancy in Pakistan was a threat to both countries, and he referenced the killing last week of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was shot dead by his bodyguard over his outspoken opposition to blasphemy laws.
The United States wants Pakistan’s army to do more to combat extremists on its border, including by launching a ground offensive in the district of North Waziristan.
The army has stalled on a ground operation, saying its troops are overstretched.
Biden delivered his message before leaving for a key meeting with army chief General Ashfaq Kayani.
“A close partnership between Pakistan and its people is in the vital self interest of the United States of American and, I would argue… in the vital self interest of Pakistan as well,” Biden said.
“My hope is, God willing, if I’m able to stand here next year with you, that we’re able to point to greater progress and greater resolve and greater prosperity for your people and mine,” Biden said, concluding his speech.
Gilani applauded “very fruitful discussions” with the US vice president.
US officials have sought to smooth an often rocky relationship with Islamabad with promises of huge non-military aid donations on top of its military assistance, to help the nation develop its fragile economy.
US officials have announced they will fast-track part of a 7.5-billion-dollar five-year aid package to help the country recover from devastating floods last year.
Biden arrived hours after a US drone strike in North Waziristan, killing three suspected foreign militants.
The United States does not officially confirm the drone attacks, which take place with Islamabad’s tacit approval. In 2010 the campaign doubled missile attacks in the tribal area with around 100 drone strikes killing more than 650 people, a 60 percent of them was non-militants.
Biden arrived in Pakistan from Kabul, where he met President Hamid Karzai for talks that included discussing the presence of US troops serving in Afghanistan as part of an international force of some 140,000.
–Agencies–