Washington: US Defense Secretary Robert
Gates has asked Pakistan to take action against the terrorist safe havens in North Waziristan as soon as possible, which is said is critical for the war against terrorism in Afghanistan.
"Well, I think it`s important. It`s clear that North
Waziristan is an important safe haven not just for al-Qaeda
but for the Haqqani network and for others," Gates told
reporters travelling with him enroute Brussels.
Gates said Pakistan has talked about taking action in
North Waziristan and hoped that they will.
"And it`s also just a fact of life that significant
military resources have been drawn away to help deal with this
terrible flooding situation they have. So the question is, at
what point do they return to the offensive in the FATA
[Federally Administered Tribal Areas]," Gates said.
"Obviously the sooner the better, but I also completely understand the need to take care of their own
people first because of the flooding," Gates said in response
to a question.
PTI
