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Tillerson calls on Pakistan to adopt different approach

WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Pakistan Tuesday to adopt a "different approach" and that the US is ready "to work with them to help them protect themselves" against terrorist organizations.
Tillerson told reporters that Pakistan "can play an important role, certainly in delivering the Taliban to the negotiating table," as it has also suffered acts of terrorism.
"We stand ready to help Pakistan address terrorist organizations inside of their country, but they must adopt a different approach themselves," he stressed.
He noted that Pakistan and the US "historically had very good relationships," but over the last few years "there's been a real erosion in the confidence between our two governments." He added "there's been an erosion in trust because we have witnessed terrorist organizations being given safe haven inside of Pakistan to plan and carry out attacks against US servicemen, US officials, disrupting peace efforts inside of Afghanistan." "Pakistan must adopt a different approach and we are ready to work with them to help them protect themselves against these terrorist organizations, and certainly to begin to end their attacks that are disrupting our efforts at peace," he reiterated.
He affirmed "we are going to be conditioning our support for Pakistan and our relationship with them on them delivering results in this area. We want to work with Pakistan in a positive way but they must change their approach." The US top diplomat indicated "we have some leverage that's been discussed in terms of the amount of aid and military assistance we give them; their status as a non-NATO alliance partner. All of that can be put on the table." He added "at the end of the day, Pakistan has to decide what is in Pakistan's best long-term interest from a security standpoint for themselves and for their people." On Monday, Trump said addressing the nation on Afghanistan, that Pakistan "often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," and that "we can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organizations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond." (end) si