Pakistan army chief to raise US missile strikes with NATO
(NSI News Source Info) Islamabad (AFP) November 14, 2008: Pakistan's army chief will visit Brussels next week for talks with senior NATO officials about US missile strikes on Pakistani soil near the Afghanistan border, the military said Thursday.
The missile attacks by US drones in Pakistan's northwest tribal areas, which US and NATO officials describe as a safe haven for Taliban and Al-Qaeda, have sharply raised tensions between Washington and nuclear-armed Pakistan.
"Army chief Ashfaq Kayani will discuss the complexities of security issues and the need for a comprehensive approach, while fully addressing Pakistan's interest," the military said in a statement.
Kayani will undertake the three-day visit from Tuesday after receiving a special invitation from chief of the NATO military committee admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, it said.
The military committee is the highest forum of NATO, which meets regularly to discuss various strategic issues concerning the organization.
"He will participate in the meeting of Chiefs of Defence for discussion on the prevailing security situation in the region and discuss implications of drone strikes," the statement said.
The Pakistani foreign ministry on Thursday said the United States was breaking international law by launching missile attacks on its northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari recently promised zero tolerance against violations of his country's sovereignty.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Pakistan army chief to raise US missile strikes with NATO
Pakistan army chief to raise US missile strikes with NATO
(NSI News Source Info) Islamabad (AFP) November 14, 2008: Pakistan's army chief will visit Brussels next week for talks with senior NATO officials about US missile strikes on Pakistani soil near the Afghanistan border, the military said Thursday.
The missile attacks by US drones in Pakistan's northwest tribal areas, which US and NATO officials describe as a safe haven for Taliban and Al-Qaeda, have sharply raised tensions between Washington and nuclear-armed Pakistan.
"Army chief Ashfaq Kayani will discuss the complexities of security issues and the need for a comprehensive approach, while fully addressing Pakistan's interest," the military said in a statement.
Kayani will undertake the three-day visit from Tuesday after receiving a special invitation from chief of the NATO military committee admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, it said.
The military committee is the highest forum of NATO, which meets regularly to discuss various strategic issues concerning the organization.
"He will participate in the meeting of Chiefs of Defence for discussion on the prevailing security situation in the region and discuss implications of drone strikes," the statement said.
The Pakistani foreign ministry on Thursday said the United States was breaking international law by launching missile attacks on its northwestern tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari recently promised zero tolerance against violations of his country's sovereignty.
The very capable Pakistan Air Force has the means to detect and intercept and destroy all US drones that violate its airspace. Now, why have they not shot any down is anyone's guess.
ReplyDeleteThey were either told to stand down, for fear of antagonizing the US and loosing the much needed financial help they received, or the drones, despite the rhetoric we see in the press, operate with the full blessing and cooperation of the Pakistani government.
A safer way of putting pressure on the US, is to block the US and ISAF convoys to Afghanistan, for "security reasons".