U.S., NATO Not Planning Ground Ops in Pakistan, Officials Say
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2010 - Neither the United States nor
NATO forces are planning to conduct ground operations in Pakistan,
Pentagon and International Security Assistance Force officials said
today.
Press stories suggested the coalition was proposing to
launch special operations forces into North Waziristan – a part of the
Federally Administered Tribal Area in Pakistan – to go after militants
who use the area as a safe haven.
"There is absolutely no truth to reporting in the New York
Times that U.S. forces are planning to conduct ground operations into
Pakistan," Navy Rear Adm. Gregory Smith, a NATO spokesman in Kabul, said
today.
ISAF and the Afghan government have developed a strong
working relationship with the Pakistani government, Smith said, and the
entities coordinate activities along the border to put the squeeze on
militants.
Pentagon spokesman Marine Corps Col. Dave Lapan also
commented on the story. "We're not sure what the source of that story
is, but it is inaccurate," he said.
Lapan said the United States has worked extensively with
Pakistani authorities. Pakistan now recognizes that terrorists in the
country are an existential threat. In 2009, Pakistani Taliban took the
Swat Valley – about 40 miles from the capitol of Islamabad – from the
government. Pakistani soldiers and police moved to retake the valley.
Since then, Pakistan has moved 140,000 soldiers into the western border
area with Afghanistan. They have moved forces into Kyber province,
South Waziristan and Baijur province.
Monsoon floods last summer dislocated 20 million people
around the country, and the Pakistani army was key to providing relief
assistance to those displaced.
Officials in Islamabad told reporters last week that
Pakistani forces are over-extended. The forces can clear areas of
militant activities, but they have to stay in the area to hold them as
other government agencies are not developed enough to come in behind
soldiers to maintain security and phase in development.
There are fewer than 100 U.S. forces in Pakistan – all
involved with training Pakistani security personnel. "We have signaled
in the past, that we are ready, willing and able to work with the
Pakistani military in all manner of ways," Pentagon Press Secretary
Geoff Morrell said in a Fox News interview. "But they are a sovereign
country, so this is a partnership, and we've got to work according to
what their interests are, as well."
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