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Dear Friends:
Terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda have found a safe haven in Pakistan and are becoming an increasing threat to both Pakistan and to our nation. Last week, as co-chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, I led a U.S. Congressional Delegation trip to Islamabad, Pakistan to meet with President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W. Patterson.
The purpose of our meeting was to stress the need for Pakistan to take aggressive steps in combating terrorists who have taken control of areas close to the Afghan border. It is from there that Osma bin Laden and Al Qaeda continue to threaten our nation and the world.
In our discussions, it was clear that the Pakistani government sees terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Taliban as destabilizing forces and a threat to their own government. In fact, while we were in Islamabad, the Pakistan military launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the Peshawar region in northwest Pakistan.
But much more needs to be done. As the head of the Congressional Delegation to Pakistan, I made clear that we are not satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terrorist efforts and we expect more cooperation from their government in the future. Our nation has given Pakistan billions of dollars to fight extremist organizations and we expect a more aggressive policy. I was encouraged that both Musharraf and Gillani reaffirmed their commitment to fighting terrorism, and understood that it also is a serious threat to their own national security.
Pakistan remains an important ally to the United States in the fight against terrorism, but it must be held accountable and we must ensure that Pakistan is committed to the mission of routing out Al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists.
Best wishes.
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