ID :
28304
Tue, 11/04/2008 - 14:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/28304
The shortlink copeid
US missile strikes should be stopped, Pak tells Petraeus
Islamabad, Nov 3 (PTI) Pakistan's military and political leadership Monday told a top U.S. general overseeing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that missile strikes in the country's tribal areas would be counter-productive for the war against terrorism.
Gen David H. Petraeus arrived in Pakistan Sunday as part
of his first international visit after being appointed head of
the U.S. Central Command. He is accompanied by U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher.
During a meeting at Pakistan Army's General Headquarters
in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, army chief Gen Ashfaq
Parvez Kayani told U.S. officials that the missile strikes by
U.S. drones in the tribal areas are counter-productive for the
war on terror, TV channels reported.
The U.S. officials also met Defence Minister Chaudhry
Ahmed Mukhtar, who said the missile strikes indicated
disrespect for Pakistan's sovereignty and "must be stopped
forthwith".
Only the country's armed forces have the right to conduct
operations against militants in Pakistani territory, Mukhtar
said.
The two sides also discussed the regional security
situation, especially the situation along the
Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and bilateral defence ties.
Petraeus and Boucher also met Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Tariq Majid. They were
scheduled to call on President Asif Ali Zardari.
A series of missile strikes in Pakistan's lawless tribal
belt by U.S. drones operating from Afghanistan has strained
ties between the two countries. Pakistan's parliament has
condemned the attacks and urged the U.S. to stop them
immediately.
Observers said Petraeus's visit reflected Pakistan's
crucial role in the fight against terrorism. Petraeus took
over his new position after serving as the top U.S. commander
in Iraq for 20 months.
U.S. commanders in Afghanistan believe the answer to
reducing violence in the country lies in tackling militants in
Pakistan's tribal areas, described by Western nations as a
safe have for Taliban and Al Qaida elements.
Pakistan's parliament has condemned the attacks and urged
the U.S. to stop them immediately. PTI RHL
PMR
Gen David H. Petraeus arrived in Pakistan Sunday as part
of his first international visit after being appointed head of
the U.S. Central Command. He is accompanied by U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State Richard A. Boucher.
During a meeting at Pakistan Army's General Headquarters
in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, army chief Gen Ashfaq
Parvez Kayani told U.S. officials that the missile strikes by
U.S. drones in the tribal areas are counter-productive for the
war on terror, TV channels reported.
The U.S. officials also met Defence Minister Chaudhry
Ahmed Mukhtar, who said the missile strikes indicated
disrespect for Pakistan's sovereignty and "must be stopped
forthwith".
Only the country's armed forces have the right to conduct
operations against militants in Pakistani territory, Mukhtar
said.
The two sides also discussed the regional security
situation, especially the situation along the
Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and bilateral defence ties.
Petraeus and Boucher also met Chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff Committee, Gen Tariq Majid. They were
scheduled to call on President Asif Ali Zardari.
A series of missile strikes in Pakistan's lawless tribal
belt by U.S. drones operating from Afghanistan has strained
ties between the two countries. Pakistan's parliament has
condemned the attacks and urged the U.S. to stop them
immediately.
Observers said Petraeus's visit reflected Pakistan's
crucial role in the fight against terrorism. Petraeus took
over his new position after serving as the top U.S. commander
in Iraq for 20 months.
U.S. commanders in Afghanistan believe the answer to
reducing violence in the country lies in tackling militants in
Pakistan's tribal areas, described by Western nations as a
safe have for Taliban and Al Qaida elements.
Pakistan's parliament has condemned the attacks and urged
the U.S. to stop them immediately. PTI RHL
PMR
