US envoy Holbrooke leads a presidential mission to Pakistan

Washington, Jun 3:US Special Representatives for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke is leading a presidential mission to Pakistan to take a look at the situation on the ground with regard to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in the wake of the military action in Swat valley.

According to his scheduled programme, Mr Holbrooke will be in Pakistan from June 3-5.

''It's a very troubling situation on the ground,'' State Department's Deputy Spokesman Robert Wood said yesterday. ''We’re very concerned about it. The Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama have spoken to this issue, as you know.'' ''And with regard to what Pakistan is doing, it's a very difficult situation. It has clearly made a strategic decision to take the fight to the Taliban. And it's also trying to do everything in its power to deal with the refugee and the IDP outflows,'' the Spokesman said.

''The United States was providing as much assistance as it could, right now. The US had been having regular discussions with the Government of Pakistan on how we can help support them, and we'll continue to do so,'' he said.

''The situation is one of great concern for these people who are now displaced. And we’re going to stand by the Government of Pakistan and do what we can to support them and it's people in this hour of need,'' he said.

(UNI)