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| India-Pakistan |
| US not allowed to conduct Ops inside Pakistan: Kayani |
| 2008-09-11 |
| The sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country would be defended at all costs and "no external force is allowed to conduct operations inside Pakistan", Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Wednesday. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Gen Kayani said that the rules of engagement with the coalition forces were well defined and "within that, the right to conduct operations against the militants inside own territory is solely the responsibility of the respective armed forces". The ISPR quoted Gen Kayani as saying, "There is no question of any agreement or understanding with the coalition forces whereby they are allowed to conduct operations on our side of the border." Referring to his meeting with the United States Army's senior officials aboard USS Abraham Lincoln on August 27, he said that they were informed about the complexity of the issue that required deeper understanding and more patience for evolving a comprehensive solution. The army chief said he had elaborated Pakistan's viewpoint in detail and it was urged that in such situations "military action alone cannot solve the problem. Political reconciliatory effort is required to go along with the military prong to win hearts and minds of the people". The ISPR said US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen acknowledged the better understanding of ground realities explained by the COAS, and remarked: "He (the COAS) is committed to doing what is best for Pakistan and he is going to stay the same. He reiterated that ultimately it is our national interest which would always guide our policy." Commitment: Gen Kayani said that Pakistan Army had conducted successful operations against militants in the past and was presently committed to eliminating them from the affected areas of FATA and Swat, according to the ISPR. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 What else can he say? "I, for one, welcome our new Crusader Overlords"? I suspect there's a few $B riding on how vigorously the Pak gov't decides not to pursue the issue. |
| Posted by: Bugs Phavilet5376 2008-09-11 16:17 |
| #3 I see this as an announcement for public consumption, not meant to be taken seriously, but more a CYA. |
| Posted by: Redneck Jim 2008-09-11 12:50 |
| #2 We promise not to send any more into Pakistan than Pakistanis do into Afghanistan. |
| Posted by: ed 2008-09-11 02:04 |
| #1 He is absolutely right. Its an issue of national defence. The US is not and should not be welcome to perform combat operation in Pakistan. Welcoming us would destablize the two day old government and president. With that said we will still go after our enemies in any country they are hiding in. Pakistan should complain to the UN and be thankfull we do not invade their country in mass. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2008-09-11 01:45 |