Clinton in top-level Pakistan visit
US secretary of state Hillary Clinton arrived in Pakistan today to repair badly-frayed relations after the killing of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden at a hideout not far from Islamabad.
Amid frustration in both countries with the other’s priorities, Mrs Clinton was joined by Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to deliver a two-fold message.
The United States wants to soothe nerves and hurt feelings following the raid nearly a month ago by US Navy SEALs on bin Laden’s compound, a strike that was kept secret even from Pakistan’s top army and intelligence officials.
But Mrs Clinton and Adm Mullen were also telling Pakistan it must show renewed commitment to US security interests, chiefly to eradicate safe havens for militants who attack US forces in Afghanistan.
The pair hammered home a warning that lower-ranking US officials have been making to Pakistan since the bin Laden raid: the billions of dollars in military and development aid that flow to Pakistan annually will dwindle if Pakistan is seen to play both sides.
Adm Mullen and Mrs Clinton were meeting President Asif Ali Zardari and the nation’s army and spy chiefs in back-to-back meetings under extremely tight security. Mrs Clinton’s visit was not announced in advance for fear of an assassination attempt or terror strike.
Mrs Clinton and Adm Mullen are the highest-ranking US officials to confer with Pakistani leaders since the raid, which splintered already fragile support in both countries for the agenda of co-operation that top US and Pakistani officials say they want.
