World | Pakistan
Pakistan demands end to US attacks during meeting
Pakistan once again demanded an end to US drone attacks into its territory as the top American military commander and a senior State Department official met government leaders on Monday.
- By Shahid Hussain, Correspondent
- Published: 00:23 November 4, 2008
Islamabad: Pakistan once again demanded an end to US drone attacks into its territory as the top American military commander and a senior State Department official met government leaders on Monday.
Commander US Central Command (Centcom) Gen David Petraeus and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the presidency. Earlier the delegation held talks at the defence ministry in Rawalpindi.
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Secretary Foreign Affairs Salman Bashir, US Ambassador Anne W Patterson and senior civil and military officials from the two sides attended the talks at the presidency.
During the meeting Zardari described the drone attacks on targets inside Pakistani territory along the Afghan border as counter-productive, according to an official report.
The president said these raids "should be stopped and focus should be more on enhanced coordination and intelligence-sharing".
"Continuing drone attacks on our territory, which result in loss of precious lives and property, are counterproductive and difficult to explain by a democratically-elected government and creating a credibility gap," Zardari said.
Pressure to react
The president said the US leadership had affirmed respect for Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity but in the wake of drone attacks the government was under pressure to react more aggressively.
Earlier, Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar told the delegation that recurring drone attacks "could lead to anti-America sentiments and outrage and among the people".
The two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and stressed the need for enhanced cooperation to eliminate the scourge of terrorism, a ministry statement said.
The minister told the delegation that Pakistan was keen to promote peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.
A politically and economically stable Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan and the whole region, Mukhtar said.
The minister apprised General Petraeus, who became Centrom chief on October 31, about the ongoing military operation against the terrorists, and violent extremist elements in the tribal areas.
The international community needed to assist Pakistan in creating employment opportunities in the tribal areas so as to mitigate the financial suffering of the people of the area, Mukhtar said.
The minister also sought the assistance of the international community and donor agencies to help the tens of thousands of people displaced from Bajaur Agency tribal area during the continuing operations.
The American delegation was also informed about the security needs of Pakistan in order to enhance its operational capabilities to curb terrorist activities.
General Petraeus said that the US would consider the request of Pakistan for assistance, according to the ministry statement.
Do you think Pakistan is being firm enough on the issue of missile strikes? What else can the government do to protect its territory?
Your comments
I love your newspaper. You are doing an awesome job keeping the value of news. Keep it up.
Aqsa
Dubai,DXB
Posted: November 04, 2008, 12:25
Share this article
News Editor's choice
-
Philippine massacre probe focuses on Arroyo ally
Arroyo vows justice for the victims and declares a national day of mourning
-
Italian PM gets 'Rockstar of the Year' title
Magazine hails Berlusconi's lifestyle
-
What drives Africa's new kind of refugees?
Warming-driven factors have led many in the continent to flee their homes
