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US envoy set for Pakistan talks US envoy holds key Pakistan talks
(about 3 hours later)
Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy for Pakistan, is in Islamabad for talks likely to centre on a renewed strategy to confront the Taleban and al-Qaeda.Richard Holbrooke, the US special envoy for Pakistan, is in Islamabad for talks likely to centre on a renewed strategy to confront the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
He will hold talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. He is holding talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.
Mr Obama recently made clear that he regards Pakistan's cooperation as being crucial to the success of his plans.Mr Obama recently made clear that he regards Pakistan's cooperation as being crucial to the success of his plans.
There has been concern in Washington at the escalating Taleban insurgency on Pakistani territory.There has been concern in Washington at the escalating Taleban insurgency on Pakistani territory.
US aims in Afghanistan dominate the new president's foreign policy agenda.US aims in Afghanistan dominate the new president's foreign policy agenda.
After a major review, Mr Obama last month unveiled a new strategy which suggested both Afghanistan and Pakistan needed to be fully engaged in the confrontation if the militants were to be defeated.After a major review, Mr Obama last month unveiled a new strategy which suggested both Afghanistan and Pakistan needed to be fully engaged in the confrontation if the militants were to be defeated.
New approachNew approach
In his talks in Pakistan, Mr Holbrooke will no doubt seek to clarify Washington's thinking, says the BBC's South Asia analyst, Alan Johnston.In his talks in Pakistan, Mr Holbrooke will no doubt seek to clarify Washington's thinking, says the BBC's South Asia analyst, Alan Johnston.
Along with a considerable boost to US troop numbers in Afghanistan, America's new approach includes substantial economic assistance for the Pakistanis - more than $1bn annually over the next five years.Along with a considerable boost to US troop numbers in Afghanistan, America's new approach includes substantial economic assistance for the Pakistanis - more than $1bn annually over the next five years.
Washington clearly hopes that the money might help provide the government in Islamabad with more of the resources it needs to combat the growing Taleban insurgency on its own soil, our correspondent says.Washington clearly hopes that the money might help provide the government in Islamabad with more of the resources it needs to combat the growing Taleban insurgency on its own soil, our correspondent says.
In recent weeks the militants have shown themselves capable of carrying out major assaults in the heart of Pakistan - with dozens dying last weeks in suicide bomb attacks in the capital Lahore and an important Shia mosque south of the capital.In recent weeks the militants have shown themselves capable of carrying out major assaults in the heart of Pakistan - with dozens dying last weeks in suicide bomb attacks in the capital Lahore and an important Shia mosque south of the capital.
The Americans will worry that the stronger the militants are able to get in Pakistani territory, the better placed they will be to launch operations against Western forces across the border in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds.The Americans will worry that the stronger the militants are able to get in Pakistani territory, the better placed they will be to launch operations against Western forces across the border in Afghanistan, our correspondent adds.
Mr Holbrooke, who is Mr Obama's top envoy to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, arrived in Islamabad after talks in Kabul.Mr Holbrooke, who is Mr Obama's top envoy to both Pakistan and Afghanistan, arrived in Islamabad after talks in Kabul.
He was accompanied by Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is expected to go on to India for discussion of regional security issues.He was accompanied by Admiral Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is expected to go on to India for discussion of regional security issues.