WASHINGTON: The United States say that Taliban’s new leader Mullah Haibatullah is not a designated terrorist.
Replying to questions during his daily briefing about rejection of peace talks by Taliban, state department deputy spokesperson Mark Toner said the US hope that the new leader would seize the opportunity in front of him to choose peace and to work towards a negotiated solution. He said the US hope that he makes that choice now.
When questioned if Mullah Haibatullah would be the next target of US drone attacks, refused to predict who might be targeted in the national security interests of the United States.
Mark Toner refused to acknowledge that the United States no longer trusted Pakistan as an ally, but minced no words in conveying US concerns on the alleged presence of certain ‘terrorist’ groups in the country.
He said the United States has been “very clear-eyed” in its interactions with Pakistan on the activities of militant groups based inside the country.
“We have been very clear-eyed and very clear in our interaction with Pakistan where we’ve believed that they need to do more to root out terrorists, who find safe haven on some of their territory, and we’re going to continue to do that,” he said. “I’ll leave it there,” he added.
A journalist pointed out that the United States did not warn Pakistan before targeting Taliban leader Mullah Mansour in the Pakistani territory, which indicated an obvious lack of trust.
“I think what I said just now holds, which is that operational security trumps a need to inform other governments,” said Mr Toner.
“In any of these instances, it’s absolutely vital to keep operational security,” he added.
The spokesman said the United States had also “consistently expressed our concern to the highest levels of the government of Pakistan” about their continued tolerance for Afghan Taliban groups, including the Haqqani network.
