Gen Petraeus praises Pakistan’s increasing counterterrorism focus

[dr.umer]

Gen Petraeus praises Pakistan’s increasing counterterrorism focus ​

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (APP): General David Patraeus, who later this month assumes leadership of the U.S. Central Command has welcomed Pakistan’s increasing focus on combating terrorism in its areas bordering Afghanistan and urged sustained world support for the country’s success in the fight.

Patraeus, who was speaking at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, also indicated that Pakistan on its own would take action against terrorists on its soil as the country has a keen sense of sovereignty. “There has been an increasing focus of operations by Pakistan,” he noted saying there have been some developments there that are reassuring in regard with anti-terrorism efforts.

Petraeus claimed that senior al-Qaeda leadership is believed to be hiding in the country’s tribal and northwest areas bordering Afghanistan.

He said al-Qaeda network has importance beyond the border region and referring to bombings in Pakistan in recent months including the Marriott attack added “the threat it poses and has materialized over the course of last year in a more challenging way into Pakistan itself.”

Gen Petreaus, who is credited with success of U.S. troops surge strategy in Iraq, said taking out Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaeda leaders would require a robust effort.

On the Afghan side, he said his strategy to decapitate terrorist network would involve an anaconda approach, pulling various resources and everyone together.

“And again in the case of Pakistan, Pakistan is going to do this on their own, they do not want (foreign forces), they have a very keen sense of sovereignty,” he said, noting although the issue has been one of the challenges with some of the operations in the border region.

“Again they increasingly see the existential threat to their country being in the FATA, as opposed to the traditional one which is of course to the East.

“And as that recognition spreads among the senior leaders, as it overtime becomes institutionalized, there will be again a better and better and better approach to that, if there is a sustained commitment by others to help them with that. And that is one of the steps that has to be taken by our government together with other countries in the coalition and elsewhere including some of those in the Gulf states,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon reported that as a follow-on investigation into an operation by Afghan National Army and U.S. forces in western Afghanistan that claimed civilian lives nears completion, a senior defense official emphasized the U.S. military’s strong record of accountability and follow-through. “No other military in the world goes to a greater extent to prevent civilian casualties,” said Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.”This is something that we take very seriously, and when we have allegations of loss of innocent life, we investigate it. At issue is an Aug.22 air strike against a suspected Taliban compound in the western province of Herat that officials initially believed had unintentionally caused several civilian deaths.

Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, requested a follow-on investigation early last month when additional evidence came to light indicating a higher toll than initial reports indicated, the Pentagon said.

 

[Munir]

The reality is that the next president wants to attack Pakistan if he sees it as need, and now we are attacked amost daily... So it is kind of good cop bad cop... Nothing formal to improve anything.

 

[Spring Onion]

The reality is that the next president wants to attack Pakistan if he sees it as need, and now we are attacked amost daily... So it is kind of good cop bad cop... Nothing formal to improve anything.

Munir its like paving way for something in future. Testing. Do you remember the 17 attacks by Ghaznavi??

 

[metalfalcon]

Gen Petraeus praises Pakistan’s increasing counterterrorism focus ​

WASHINGTON, Oct 9 (APP): General David Patraeus, who later this month assumes leadership of the U.S. Central Command has welcomed Pakistan’s increasing focus on combating terrorism in its areas bordering Afghanistan and urged sustained world support for the country’s success in the fight.

Patraeus, who was speaking at the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, also indicated that Pakistan on its own would take action against terrorists on its soil as the country has a keen sense of sovereignty. “There has been an increasing focus of operations by Pakistan,” he noted saying there have been some developments there that are reassuring in regard with anti-terrorism efforts.

Petraeus claimed that senior al-Qaeda leadership is believed to be hiding in the country’s tribal and northwest areas bordering Afghanistan.

He said al-Qaeda network has importance beyond the border region and referring to bombings in Pakistan in recent months including the Marriott attack added “the threat it poses and has materialized over the course of last year in a more challenging way into Pakistan itself.”

Gen Petreaus, who is credited with success of U.S. troops surge strategy in Iraq, said taking out Osama bin Laden and other senior al-Qaeda leaders would require a robust effort.

On the Afghan side, he said his strategy to decapitate terrorist network would involve an anaconda approach, pulling various resources and everyone together.

“And again in the case of Pakistan, Pakistan is going to do this on their own, they do not want (foreign forces), they have a very keen sense of sovereignty,” he said, noting although the issue has been one of the challenges with some of the operations in the border region.

“Again they increasingly see the existential threat to their country being in the FATA, as opposed to the traditional one which is of course to the East.

“And as that recognition spreads among the senior leaders, as it overtime becomes institutionalized, there will be again a better and better and better approach to that, if there is a sustained commitment by others to help them with that. And that is one of the steps that has to be taken by our government together with other countries in the coalition and elsewhere including some of those in the Gulf states,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon reported that as a follow-on investigation into an operation by Afghan National Army and U.S. forces in western Afghanistan that claimed civilian lives nears completion, a senior defense official emphasized the U.S. military’s strong record of accountability and follow-through. “No other military in the world goes to a greater extent to prevent civilian casualties,” said Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense for public affairs.”This is something that we take very seriously, and when we have allegations of loss of innocent life, we investigate it. At issue is an Aug.22 air strike against a suspected Taliban compound in the western province of Herat that officials initially believed had unintentionally caused several civilian deaths.

Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, requested a follow-on investigation early last month when additional evidence came to light indicating a higher toll than initial reports indicated, the Pentagon said.

One day they appreciate our efforts next day they say you are not doing enough "DO MORE".

One day PAKISTAN is the best ally against terrorism the next day Pakistan is seen as a threat.

One day Pakistan is the front line state against terrorism the next day Pakistan is a danger to USA.

This shows the double standards of USA who ever wants to use Pakistan for his/her personal benefits take the full advantage of Pakistan, may it be Obama , Mc cain or their stupid Vice presidential Candidates OR even High Ranking Generals who want their Names to come in every news channel and Newspaper across the globe.

 

[JK!]

I like Petraeus he is a soldier who will try to get things done and I can see him and General Kiani working well together.