ISLAMABAD ( 2008-09-18 03:07:00 ) :US military chief Admiral Michael Mullen on Wednesday reiterated Washington respects Pakistan's sovereignty after a row sparked by recent cross-border raids by US forces based in Afghanistan. Mullen held talks with Pakistan's top army official and the Prime Minister amid tensions over US raids on tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, known hideouts of Taliban and al Qaeda militants.
"Admiral Mullen reiterated the US commitment to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and to develop further US-Pakistani co-operation and co-ordination on these critical issues that challenge the security and well-being of the people of both countries," a US embassy statement said after talks. Mullen, who flew in to Islamabad on an unannounced trip late Tuesday, met General Ashfaq Kayani and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by several top government officials including defence and foreign ministers.
"The conversations were extremely frank, positive, and constructive," the embassy said and added that Mullen "appreciated the positive role that Pakistan is playing in the war on terror and pledged continued US support to Pakistan." "The ongoing war against terrorism and the situation on the Afghan border came under discussion," a Pakistani official said, without giving further details.
Security sources in Islamabad said Pakistan conveyed to the US military chief that unilateral cross-border strikes and raids by ground forces based in Afghanistan would be counter-productive. "Such raids will be a setback to our efforts against the militants' network," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP. It followed anger in the country over a September 3 ground attack by US commandos in tribal South Waziristan district in which 15 people were killed.
Kayani, in a strongly worded statement, previously warned Pakistani armed forces would protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity "at all cost." Military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said that Pakistan's policy of defending its borders was very clear.
"We have repeatedly said we will defend our territory and we reserve the right to retaliate in case of any aggression," Abbas told AFP ahead of the talks on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Kabul that his country will work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorist sanctuaries in the border tribal areas. Gates said he was encouraged by recent Pakistani military operations which had put pressure on extremists.
OUR REPORTERS FROM ISLAMABAD ADD: Chief of Army staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani on Wednesday made it clear to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen that Pakistan will not give permission for operation against extremists inside its territory as there is no such pact with the US and incidents like Angoor Adda in which more than 20 people were killed would affect Pak-US relations.
Admiral Mullen reiterated the US commitment to develop further Pak-US co-operation and co-ordination on security challenges and well being of Pakistani people as these moves will build confidence between both the countries on the critical issues.
Admiral Mullen and Army Chief Kiyani held a meeting. Later, both drove to Islamabad to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister House where Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's concern over violation of its air space and attacks inside Pakistani territory. The visit particularly comes in the backdrop of tension between Pakistan and the US over recent missile strikes and casualties in Pakistan's rugged tribal terrain bordering Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Advisor Rahman Malik, National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani, Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary were also present in the meeting. Mullen appreciated the positive role Pakistan is playing in the war on terror and pledged continued US support to Pakistan.
The Pakistani leaders reviewed the progress of Pakistan's efforts to combat militancy, violence, and terrorism. A press statement issued by the US embassy termed the conversations extremely frank, positive and constructive. Mullen is also scheduled to meet the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed.
"Admiral Mullen reiterated the US commitment to respect Pakistan's sovereignty and to develop further US-Pakistani co-operation and co-ordination on these critical issues that challenge the security and well-being of the people of both countries," a US embassy statement said after talks. Mullen, who flew in to Islamabad on an unannounced trip late Tuesday, met General Ashfaq Kayani and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was accompanied by several top government officials including defence and foreign ministers.
"The conversations were extremely frank, positive, and constructive," the embassy said and added that Mullen "appreciated the positive role that Pakistan is playing in the war on terror and pledged continued US support to Pakistan." "The ongoing war against terrorism and the situation on the Afghan border came under discussion," a Pakistani official said, without giving further details.
Security sources in Islamabad said Pakistan conveyed to the US military chief that unilateral cross-border strikes and raids by ground forces based in Afghanistan would be counter-productive. "Such raids will be a setback to our efforts against the militants' network," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP. It followed anger in the country over a September 3 ground attack by US commandos in tribal South Waziristan district in which 15 people were killed.
Kayani, in a strongly worded statement, previously warned Pakistani armed forces would protect the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity "at all cost." Military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said that Pakistan's policy of defending its borders was very clear.
"We have repeatedly said we will defend our territory and we reserve the right to retaliate in case of any aggression," Abbas told AFP ahead of the talks on Wednesday. Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Kabul that his country will work with Pakistan to address the problem of terrorist sanctuaries in the border tribal areas. Gates said he was encouraged by recent Pakistani military operations which had put pressure on extremists.
OUR REPORTERS FROM ISLAMABAD ADD: Chief of Army staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani on Wednesday made it clear to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen that Pakistan will not give permission for operation against extremists inside its territory as there is no such pact with the US and incidents like Angoor Adda in which more than 20 people were killed would affect Pak-US relations.
Admiral Mullen reiterated the US commitment to develop further Pak-US co-operation and co-ordination on security challenges and well being of Pakistani people as these moves will build confidence between both the countries on the critical issues.
Admiral Mullen and Army Chief Kiyani held a meeting. Later, both drove to Islamabad to meet Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister House where Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan's concern over violation of its air space and attacks inside Pakistani territory. The visit particularly comes in the backdrop of tension between Pakistan and the US over recent missile strikes and casualties in Pakistan's rugged tribal terrain bordering Afghanistan.
Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Advisor Rahman Malik, National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani, Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary were also present in the meeting. Mullen appreciated the positive role Pakistan is playing in the war on terror and pledged continued US support to Pakistan.
The Pakistani leaders reviewed the progress of Pakistan's efforts to combat militancy, violence, and terrorism. A press statement issued by the US embassy termed the conversations extremely frank, positive and constructive. Mullen is also scheduled to meet the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed.
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