US stands united with Pakistan school terror victims: Obama

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama reaffirmed US solidarity with the victims of the December 16 terrorist attack on Army Public School in Peshawar in his sixth State of the Union address Tuesday evening as he underlined his administration’s determination to fight terrorists.

Obama whose approval ratings are climbing back to 50 percent in latest polls mainly on account of successful economic recovery emphasised that in recent years a smart American leadership through alliances and a combination of military and diplomatic prowess is making a difference in the world.

“We stand united with people around the world who’ve been targeted by terrorists from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris,” the US president said with the lawmakers on the Capitol Hill greeting his anti terror resolve with applause.

“The US will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks and we reserve the right to act unilaterally as we’ve done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies,” said Obama.

At the same time Obama noted that they have learned some costly lessons over the last thirteen years since the 9 11 terrorist attacks. In this respect he referred to the security transition in Afghanistan. “Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan we’ve trained their security forces who’ve now taken the lead and we’ve honored our troops sacrifice by supporting that country s first democratic transition. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas we are partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America.”

Obama noted that in Iraq and Syria American leadership including their military power was stopping ISIL’ s advance and amid a lingering gridlock facing Washington politics asked Congress to pass a resolution authorising use of force against the militant group. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East they are leading a broad coalition including Arab nations to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group. “We are also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. This effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed. And tonight I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorise the use of force against ISIL.”

“Washington is demonstrating the power of American strength and diplomacy. We are upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small by opposing Russian aggression supporting Ukraine’s democracy and reassuring our NATO allies. Last year as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, some suggested that Mr. Putin s aggression was a masterful display of strategy and strength. Well today it is America that stands strong and united with our allies while Russia is isolated with its economy in tatters,” said Obama. Sounding upbeat amidst strong American economic upturn Obama said the verdict is clear.

“Middle class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work as long as politics don t get in the way,” the US president said to a Congress controlled by Republicans in both chambers the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“Tonight after a breakthrough year for America our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis.” Obama said that more American children were graduating than ever before. “More of our people are insured than ever before we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we’ve been in almost 30 years.” He also touched on the conclusion of the Afghan war. “Tonight for the first time since 9 11 our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago nearly 180 000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today fewer than 15 000 remain,” Obama said while praising the American troops services.