International Forex Inforamtion

(RTTNews) - Warning that volatile Afghan-Pakistan border region has become the "modern epicenter of jihad," the United States had ruled out any pull out from Afghanistan, saying a Taliban takeover of the south-west Asian country could hand al Qaida a "hugely empowering message."

Speaking at a joint interview with secretary of state Hillary Clinton, U.S. defense secretary Robert Gates said a victory for Taliban in the war-torn land-locked country would allow al-Qaida to gain foothold and would empower the terrorist network.

He said any withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, before the mission to defeat al-Qaida and the Taliban is achieved, would give a huge boost to the Islamic radical movement in other parts of the globe.

He said a reassurance of no pull back from Afghanistan had been given to Pakistan despite a strategic review of the Af-Pak policy about "next step forward" in the Afghan war being underway in White House.

Gates said that there should be no uncertainty in terms of U.S. determination to remain in Afghanistan though there may be some short term uncertainty among U.S. allies, in terms of the new steps.

The defense secretary said the terrorists groups are aiming to hand out the same fate to the U.S. similar to that given to the Russians, referring to the Soviet defeat in the 1980s at the hands of Islamist fighters.

Gates remarks came as the Obama administration was reviewing its new Af-Pak policy and demands by the Generals for troop reinforcements for Afghanistan even as an equally strong lobby in Washington strongly opposes any move to send more troops.