US, Pakistan strike deal on terror targets

THE US and Pakistan have agreed to work together in any future actions against “high-value targets” in Pakistan, even as US Senator John Kerry defended Washington’s decision not to tell Islamabad in advance about the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

The pledge, which was made in a joint statement, could help mollify Pakistani officials and citizens, who were enraged that one of the country’s most important allies would conduct a unilateral operation on its soil. But details of the promised cooperation were unclear.

Kerry said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will soon announce plans to visit Pakistan — a sign of confidence in the relationship — and he and Pakistani leaders have agreed to a “series of steps” to improve relations.