there were bombs began bashar and locore when i was there, when i was there last week, and i think these are having the effect of driving home to pakistani public the seriousness of the threat coming from that part of the country insofar is solidifying his support for the operations that are taking place there. overall, i think there are new possibilities opening for pakistan-american cooperation in this common fight against the common enemy, but it is true that there is a long legacy of distrust between pakistan and the united states that we have to overcome as we have moved forward, and i think that it can be done. those i talked to were optimistic about their ability to handle the situation. they seem willing to work with the united states in ways that had not been previously possible, so i think there are signs there that point us in a positive direction. in afghanistan, it is no secret that the trends have been going in the wrong direction recently in terms of government loss of control of provinces, in terms of the insurgents strength and now we are into the new fighting season, an