1st December, 2009, Washington
Pakistan’s use of militant groups like Lashkar-e- Tayyeba “cannot continue”, US president Barack Obama has warned Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari in two page Letter.
The Washington post reported that the letter, which outlined a new strategic relationship with Pakistan was “unusually blunt”, but it also offered Islamabad incentives, including an offer to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan. Washington has been trying to piece together a new bargain with Islamabad. The key demand of Pakistan recognizes it cannot be an ally in the war on terror and support Islamism militant groups fighting India and Afghanistan. In return, Obama offered more economic and military assistance. Obama said Pakistan needed to end “ambiguity” in its relations with its five militant groups. Al Qaeda, Tehreek-e- Taliban, Taliban. The inclusion of lashkar, a group that until 26/11 had avoided of attacking US targets, is a gesture towards militant group’s main target, India.
The letter says his officials are designed to push US-Pakistan relations in a new direction. Without this change US is not going to win Afghanistan. US officials described the new US- Pakistan equations as the cat and mouse game but one that require time. Pakistan analysts say, zardari is too weak to dictate to the military and intelligence.