Ahead of United States President Barack Obama administration's Afghanistan-Pakistan strategic review in December, an independent task force report on Pakistan and Afghanistan, sponsored by the respected and influential Council on Foreign Relations, has said a long-term partnership with Pakistan 'can be sustained only if Pakistan takes action against all terrorist organisations based on its soil.'
Former United States deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage discussed President Barack Obama's 'failure to define the goal in Afghanistan,' and a host of other issues with eminent American interviewer Charlie Rose
Against the backdrop of the WikiLeaks disclosure about Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services-Intelligence's double-game in Afghanistan, former US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said the Pakistani spy agency has a relationship with the Taliban.
Armitage, appearing in a Brookings Institution discussion on 'The US-Pakistan Strategic Relationship', said, "I have gone my whole career desperately wanting to tell somebody that I would bomb them into the Stone Age and I have never been able to do it because I have never been authorised to do it."
Former deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage firmly denied making any such threat.
Tenet's remarks in his book were in contrast to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's statement that Armitage had threatened to bomb the country 'back to the Stone Age.'
The US has held significant discussions with the Pakistan government, which has been 'very forthright in the last several years with us about proliferation', Armitage said.
During their visits to Islamabad, they will discuss with officials 'bilateral and regional issues' with particular focus on the Indo-Pak standoff.
"I had the opportunity to telephone my old friend George Fernandes and told him I had heard about the problem he had," he said.
Among other things, the US Deputy Secretary of State will discuss the deployment of Indian troops in Iraq
Referring to the "rumours" doing the rounds "for weeks", Newsweek claimed that among those eyeing Rumsfeld's post was recently retired Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage.
Deputy Secretary Armitage has submitted his letter of resignation to be effective along with the Secretary's when the new Secretary of State is confirmed", a White House spokesman said.
The deputy secretary of state said the US had nuclear flashpoint concerns with India and Pakistan.
Peace moves between India and Pakistan are expected to be the highlight of their talks.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said the US will like to see relations between India and Pakistan improve.
He is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Vajpayee and his deputy Advani later in the day.
'Osama bin Laden and al-Zawahiri could be hiding in the tribal areas of Pakistan,' said the US deputy secretary of state.
US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage hoped that the thaw between India and Pakistan would gain strength.
'It is clear to me they take the view that we should do what we can to assist them where they would like assistance,' Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said.
The Indo-Pak peace process and deteriorating Pak-Afghan ties following the resurgence of Taliban are expected to figure in the talks.
The most intense debate is centered around Colin Powell, secretary of state.
'I have no idea (what did happen). Looks to me like somehow the multinational force didn't stay on top of this,' said the Deputy Secretary of State.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances