U.S., Pakistani military leaders secretly meet


www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-29 04:35:57 Print

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) — U.S. and Pakistani military leaders met earlier this week to discuss the growing terror threat in Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pentagon sources said Thursday.

Sources in Pentagon were quoted by U.S. news outlets as saying that participants included Michael Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff and Pakistani Army chief of staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.

The talks, held Tuesday aboard U.S. aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in the Indian Ocean, focused on how to "better work together to defeat extremists on the border and to help Pakistan deal with its own internal threats from extremism."

The meeting came amid a growing acknowledgment by U.S. officials that the Taliban has shifted tactics and is now conducting military-style attacks against U.S. troops.

The U.S. military has been pressing Kayani for months to crack down on militants in the border region in part because of the growing number crossing into Afghanistan to attack American troops.

Mullen said after the meeting that he is not satisfied with the efforts to thwart the threat of terrorism in Pakistan, but thought the U.S.-Pakistani cooperation is moving toward a "right direction."


White House: U.S. to continue working with Pakistan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — The United States will continue working with Pakistan in fighting terrorism, the White House said after President Pervez Musharraf announced his resignation Monday.

"President (George W.) Bush is committed to a strong Pakistan that continues its efforts to strengthen democracy and fight terror," U.S. National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in a statement. Full story

Spokesman: 37 militants killed in Pakistan's tribal area

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) — A spokesman of the Pakistani army Major Murad Wednesday claimed that the security forces bombed positions of Taliban in Bajaur tribal area and killed 37 militants.

The News Network International (NNI) news agency quoted Murad as saying that artillery was used to hit Taliban positions at Kotki and Pashat areas of Bajaur.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/29/content_9731634.htm