With deterioration in relationship with Pakistan, there is no improvement in the terrorist safe havens inside the country, a top US commander based in Afghanistan said on Monday, noting that this has made it tougher for them in the war against terrorism.
"With respect to the border itself, the Pakistan sanctuary and its condition today, and if it doesn't improve, the relations with Pakistan obviously makes reaching those conditions more difficult for us," Lieutenant General Curtis Scaparrotti, commander, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command; Deputy Commander, US Forces-Afghanistan told mediapersons in a video conference call from Kabul.
"It means we also have to do more work with respect to the Afghan forces, the strategy that they employ along the border, and to ensure that it will be successful for them to secure their own country. I think that's doable, but it's going to make it more difficult," he said responding to a question.
Scaparrotti said Haqqani network is it's probably one of the most lethal aspects of the different networks within the insurgency.
"We have indicators that there is some support for Haqqani. There is some coordination with the ISI and Haqqani," he said when asked about the links between the Inter-Services Intelligence of Pakistan and the Haqqani network.
"Certainly, it's been our desire and what we I have talked to my Pakistan counterparts about is the need for them to take on the Haqqani network in that sanctuary because it is a threat to us. It's one of the most lethal threats, but it's certainly a threat to them as well," he said.
The American commander said the combined team of Afghan and coalition forces, has the initiative and so far the enemy's spring offensive hasn't been successful.
"Additionally, the enemy's mid-to low-level leaders remain frustrated with their leadership in Pakistan. Creating the opportunity for both formal and informal reintegration across Afghanistan.
"Currently there are over 4,000 formal reintegrees with many more informally laying down their arms and returning to their homes"" he said.
"There are still many challenges and we still have setbacks. The enemy continually proves its adaptability and safe havens in Pakistan remain one of the greatest concerns," Scaparrotti said.
"In terms of the relationship with Pakistan, we are working very hard on a mil-to-mil relationship, to try and develop that and to bring it back perhaps to where it was at one time in the past when I was the RC-East commander. We're a fair ways from that right now," he said.
"But my focus as I talk to my counterparts, has to do with areas of mutual interest, and that is along the border, our cooperation along the border, potentially future complementary operations along the border against insurgents that are a threat to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the coalition forces as well," the US commander said.
