by Zeeshan Niazi

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- The United States will continue the "effective" drone attacks in northwest Pakistan's tribal region near the Afghan border even if it has no agreement with Pakistan, a U.S. senator said here Friday.

    Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, visiting Senator John McCain said the U.S. congressional delegation came to show the solidity and sympathy to the victims of the terror attacks in Pakistan but the strikes with unmanned aircraft will not stop as the U.S. needs to root out extremism from the region.

    "We are always with Pakistan and the people of Pakistan and our relationship does not have time limitation," McCain said.

    He said the use of drone strikes against suspected Taliban militants in Pakistan is an effective part of the U.S. strategy.

An explosion in a house killed at least six suspected militants in the Pakistani port city of Karachi on Friday, Jan. 8, 2009, police chief said.(Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    Referring the recent diplomat issue, the senator said the U.S. will try to deploy the qualified diplomats to the U.S. embassy in Pakistan to help address the diplomatic concerns by the Pakistani government.

    The delegation appreciated Pakistan's role in the war against extremism and militancy and assured full support in taking this war to the logical end.

    In a meeting with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday, McCain said that there were some differences between Pakistan and the U.S. regarding drone attacks but both countries have the same views against terrorism and democratic values.

    Referring to Obama's new Afghan strategy, Zardari said that Pakistan has legitimate interests in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and urged that U.S. must remain sensitive to Pakistan's core national interests and concerns.

    The U.S had stepped up attacks inside Pakistan's tribal areas last year and the new year started with early morning strike. Pakistan opposes the strikes but Washington believes that al-Qaeda remnants and Taliban militants are planning attacks across the border in Afghanistan.

    Political analyst Farrukh Salim told Xinhua that 17 drone attacks were carried out against areas in Pakistan in 2008, 43 carried out in 2009 and in 2010 more than 70 drone attacks are expected.

    "Such attacks always trigger violence, suicide attacks and casualties in Pakistan. So more drone attacks means more violence in Pakistan," Salim said.

Pakistan, U.S. divided over new operation in tribal area: experts

    ISLAMABAD, Jan. 8 (Xinhua) -- Over the issue of military operation against Taliban militants in Pakistan's tribal area, the United States and Pakistan seemed divided as the latter would prefer to pursue its own national interest, said Pakistani analysts.

    Political analyst Farrukh Salim told Xinhua on Thursday that Pakistan and the U.S. have divergent interests as Pakistan wants to target the militant groups who are creating trouble for Pakistan and are responsible for violence in the country. Full story