Global General

Clinton, Joint Chiefs chairman press Pakistan

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-27 13:27

ISLAMABAD - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Pakistan on Friday to repair badly frayed relations after the killing of terror mastermind Osama bin Laden at a comfortable hideout not far from this capital city.

Amid frustration in both countries with the other's priorities, Clinton was joined by Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, to deliver a twofold 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 Clinton and Mullen also were 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.

Mullen and Clinton were meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and the nation's army and spy chiefs in back to back meetings under extremely tight security. Clinton's visit was not announced in advance for fear of an assassination attempt or terror strike.

Clinton and 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 cooperation that top US and Pakistani officials say they want.