'Pak must be a part of American regional strategy'

Republican nominee Senator John McCain says the emphasis must be on convincing Pakistan that the war on terror is as much as in its favour as it is in that of the US.

Taking a dig at the stance of his rival Senator Barack Obama, the presumptive Republican nominee Senator John McCain said that Pakistan must be a part of the American regional strategy which emphasises convincing the country that the war on terror is as much as in its favour as it is in that of the United States.

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"A special focus of our regional strategy must be Pakistan. As you know the political situation in Pakistan is very unsettled. And terrorists today enjoy sanctuary. This must end," Senator McCain said at a campaign speech in New Mexico.

He emphasised on strengthening of local tribes in the border areas who are willing to fight the foreign terrorists there.

"That's the same strategy that we use successfully in Anbar and elsewhere in Iraq. We must convince the Pakistanis that this is their war as much as it is ours. And we must empower the new civilian government of Pakistan to defeat radicalism with greater support for development, health, and education," he added.

McCain said that Senator Obama's talking of unilateral military action in Pakistan "has made it harder for the people whose support we need most."

"But understand this, when I am commander in chief, there will be nowhere the terrorists can run and nowhere they can hide," McCain said.

"I want to assure you that you can have complete confidence that I will get Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice. I will do that. For the crimes he's committed against the people of this nation... In wartime, judgement, and experience matter," the Senator said.