The U.S. will again carry out special operations, like the attack that killed Osama bin Laden, in Pakistan if required to target high profile terrorists, a top White House official said, asserting this had been “very successful”.
Notwithstanding the reaction from Pakistan that America’s covert operation against bin Laden was an“unauthorised unilateral action”, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said the Obama Administration would continue with this policy if that country does not act against terror suspects holed up in that country.
The Pakistani government said in a statement that Sunday’s raid was an ‘unauthorized unilateral action.’ So how would that statement affect any future special operations that might take place for another person believed to be involved with al-Qaeda?” Mr. Carney was asked.
Carney further said, “We will continue to seek and find and bring to justice terrorists who are plotting to do harm to Americans and our allies.”
Q) Are you saying that the U.S. reserves the right, as the President said back in the campaign, if Pakistan will not act against terror suspects, to go and enter Pakistani territory and act against them?”.
A) “Yes. He made very clear during the campaign that that was his view. He was criticized for it. He maintained that that was his view, and by the actions he has taken as President, feels that it was the right approach and continues to feel that way,” the press secretary said.
U.S. President Barack Obama has consistently said that he would go ahead to target high profile terrorists, if he had actionable intelligence and the Pakistani Government was not willing to act.
