Clinton warns Pakistan against anti-Americanism

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday warned Pakistan against “anti-Americanism and conspiracy theories” on a visit in which she was expected to push for an investigation into Osama bin Laden’s relationship with security forces during his time in the country.

state.gov

"Pakistan should understand that anti-Americanism and conspiracy theories will not make the problem disappear," Clinton told a news conference following talks with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders.

There was no evidence that the country’s top leaders knew the al-Qaeda leader was in the country, Clinton said after meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, army chief Ashfaq Kayani and intelligence chief Ahmad Shuja Pasha.

There have been widespread accusations of collaboration between Pakistan's ISI spy agency and bin Laden, who was killed by US Navy Seals in Abottabad on 2 May, and several visits by US politicians and officials.

The unilateral operation has fuelled widespread anti-American sentiment in the country, which has long been high over a covert CIA drone war against Islamist armed groups on

Pakistani territory.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, who accompanied Clinton in her meetings pleaded for greater co-operation between the countries in the war against the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

Clinton denied that the behind-closed-doors meetings were tense and said she had heard Pakistan commit to "some very specific action", saying the country deserved more credit for its efforts in the war on the Taliban and similar movements.

"I return to Washington ever more committed," to the relationship, she said.