ISLAMABAD: US Vice President Joe Biden tried to dispel what he called common anti-American misperceptions in Pakistan while urging the government Wednesday to fight growing extremism. Biden's comments at a news conference with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani illustrated Washington's frustrations with what it sees as inadequate Pakistani efforts to tackle militants. While talking to Pakistani media, Biden also expressed continued American support for Pakistan in the form of the Kerry-Lugar-Berman Law, which provides $7.5 billion in civilian aid over five years. “A close partnership with Pakistan and its people is in the vital self-interest of the United States of America,” he said. “And ... in the vital self-interest of Pakistan as well.” The assassination of Punjab governor Salman Taseer last week at the hands of his own police bodyguard for supporting changes in a blasphemy law highlighted what could be a far greater danger; rising extremism in mainstream society. Biden said the US was saddened by the “cold-blooded murder of a decent, brave man”. “The governor was killed simply because he was a voice of tolerance and understanding,” he said in a news conference broadcast live. Earlier, Biden called Amna Taseer, the widow of the slain governor, to express his condolences on behalf of the president and the American people. Extremism among the poor and middle class often translates into suspicion toward the West. Militant groups have exploited these grievances, exacerbated by American drone attacks, to find support in Pakistan's poor and undeveloped hinterlands. “We know that there are those – I am not talking about leadership – I am talking about the public discourse that in America's fight against Al-Qaeda, we've imposed a war upon Pakistan,” Biden said. “They (Al-Qaeda) continue to plot attacks against the United States and our interests to this very day,” he said.
