Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. June 3, 2009 Top US Envoy Visits Pakistan to Show Support for Swat Valley Offensive Against Taliban -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=24932C7:A6F02AD83191E16085DFB3D554891B0D2E7CA1C1B166B639& Richard Holbrooke will assess relief operations for more than two million people displaced by army offensive in northwest Richard Holbrooke (May 2009 file photo)Senior U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke is in Pakistan to assess relief operations for more than two million people displaced by the Pakistani army's offensive against the Taliban in the northwest. The visit is also designed to show strong American support for the Pakistani government's new resolve to fight extremism. Security heightened Holbrooke's location in Pakistan is a closely guarded secret, given the heightened security concerns following deadly terrorist attacks in Lahore and Peshawar, last week. However, the U.S. State Department says Holbrooke will meet with relief organizations and some of the Pakistanis who have been forced from their homes during Pakistan's month-long campaign to dislodge militants from Swat Valley. During their three-day stay, Holbrooke and a delegation of other U.S. officials are also expected to meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Show of support The visit is a! gesture of support to the Pakistani government, which has been under intense American pressure to defeat Islamic extremists who have dramatically increased their attacks across Pakistan in the past two years. Former military official and political analyst Talat Masood says there are signs the often-strained ties between Pakistan and the United States are improving. "Well, I think the message from the United States and his [Holbrooke's] personally coming here will obviously be a positive impact, in the sense that President Obama's administration is deeply concerned about the displaced people," Masood said. "And, now the policy of the Obama administration is different from the Bush administration and the people themselves in Pakistan understand they have to fight the militancy. So that huge gap is lessening. " Envoy's focus critical Masood adds that Hobrooke's focus while in Pakistan - the plight of internally displaced persons - is critical to the wider U.S. interest of! ridding Pakistan of terrorism."This is an extremely crucial aspect of the whole operation," he said. "Because, even if the military operation, which it is succeeding and which is very good, but unless the problem of the internally displaced people is resolved, or at least their difficulties reduced, it will contribute largely to the overall success of the campaign."The United States has already pledged $110 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan. But the United Nations says it needs no less that $543 million to provide shelter, food, water and medical care for those affected by the war. Tensions remain The Obama administration considers Pakistan key to its strategy to fight a violent Taliban insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan. But tensions remain between the United States and Pakistan, particularly about Mr. Obama's decision to continue firing missiles from unmanned aircraft at suspected al-Qaida bases in Pakistan's tribal regions, near the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistani government has repeatedly said such attacks kill mostly civilians and only serve as a recruitment tool for Islamic militants. .