US Demands More Progress by Pakistan in Afghan War

17 December 2010

President Obama discusses the yearly report on progress in Afghanistan. He was joined by Vice President Joe Biden, left, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman Marine General James Cartwright

This is IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English.

This week, President Obama released a progress report on the Afghan war, now in its tenth year. The five-page summary of the Afghanistan and Pakistan Annual Review says "there are notable operational gains."

For example, the president welcomed major Pakistani offensives in the tribal areas. But he said progress has not come fast enough.

BARACK OBAMA: "So we will continue to insist to Pakistani leaders that terrorist safe havens within their borders must be dealt with."

Afghan Interior Minister Rehman Malik dismissed criticism of his country.

REHMAN MALIK: "If you see the statistics in terms of the casualties and injuries, it is Pakistan which has suffered the most in the world. We have done a lot. We are suffering in terms of our economy and obviously it is affecting our common man in the country."

Most suspected American missile strikes in Pakistan have taken place in North Waziristan. The United States believes the Haqqani network of the Afghan Taliban has established bases there.

The American ambassador in Islamabad said Friday that the United States has been talking closely with Pakistan about launching an offensive in North Waziristan. But Ambassador Cameron Munter says Pakistani forces are stretched too thin to launch it now.