The latter is the case, Gates said, and the fact that Congress is considering bills to provide multi-year economic assistance to Pakistan, proves that.

'I think it's going to take us some time to rebuild confidence with the Pakistani people, that we are a long-term friend and ally of Pakistan,' he said.

The poll also shows that the Pakistani people have given strong support to the counterinsurgency battle going on in western Pakistan, Gates said.

'There seems to be, more than I think any of us would have expected six months ago, broad political support for what the Pakistani military is doing in the west,' he said.

That change - plus the success of Pakistani forces-serves US and Pakistani interests. 'My hope is that over time, we will be able to demonstrate, to the Pakistanis, that we are a reliable ally that they can count on for the long term,' he said.