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Clinton arrives in Kabul for Afghanistan summit, meets with Karzai
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"There are going to be hot-button issues -- I understand that," Clinton said after her departure.
One of those issues is reconciliation with insurgent groups, the subject of recent bilateral discussions between Karzai and Pakistan's military chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kiyani, and intelligence director, Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha. The administration has cautioned both sides against peace talks with groups that refuse to meet preconditions that include laying down their arms and breaking ties with al-Qaeda.
"It seems to us there will be some who are willing to meet those conditions and others who are not," Clinton said at the news conference. "We would strongly advise our friends in Afghanistan to deal with those who are committed to a peaceful future."
During a live TV interview, one journalist questioned U.S. pressure for more aggressive Pakistani military action against insurgent groups in the tribal areas along the Afghan border. In particular, the journalist asked, why had the administration rejected reconciliation talks with the Haqqani network of fighters?
"Not every extremist group can be reconciled," she said. "That's just a fact. It doesn't mean it's not worth trying, but you have to try it with your eyes wide open."
Asked at the town hall meeting why the U.S. Embassy did not do a better job countering negative views of the administration in Pakistan, Clinton said, "I'm aware of the fact that in some parts of Pakistan, U.S. aid is not appreciated. That bothers me a lot."
But in the new spirit of honesty between the two countries, she said, Pakistan should also realize that U.S. economic problems and unemployment have led many Americans to ask "why we're sending money to a country that doesn't want it."
