United States top security adviser Condoleeza Rice categorically stated that America will fight terrorism 'wherever we see it' including India and Washington's good relationship with Pakistan will in no way undermine its ability to deal with the menace. ''We believe that our relations with any country in the world begin with an understanding that the support of terrorists is unacceptable. That includes any country in the world, including Pakistan'', Ms Rice said in a TV interview. The US National Security Adviser was of the opinion that Pakistan understood that global terrorism was a threat to stability and a threat to civilised countries. ''And, so there is no reason to expect that our very good relationship with Pakistan is in any way going to proscribe our ability with terrorism''. On whether the US can assure New Delhi that it will address terrorism against India when 'phase two' begins after Osama bin Laden and Taliban are taken care of, she said ''We have already turned our attention to terrorism outside of Afghanistan. This is not a one-note war''.
Emphasising that 'it is not a matter of phase two', Ms Rice said ''We have told the Indian government that we intend to fight terrorism wherever we see it. That includes in India, that includes in the United States.''
Bureau Report