Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue Defense Working Group Statement

[fatman17]

Press Releases 2010

Islamabad, June 10, 2010 - Pakistani and U.S. defense officials met from June 7-10 at Pakistan's Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi for the Exchange on Defense Planning.

Islamabad, June 10, 2010 - Pakistani and U.S. defense officials met from June 7-10 at Pakistan's Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi for the Exchange on Defense Planning.

Joint U.S. - Pakistan Statement: Pakistan-United States Strategic Dialogue Defense Working Group: Exchange on Defense Planning

June 10, 2010

Islamabad - Pakistani and U.S. defense officials met from June 7-10 at Pakistan's Joint Staff Headquarters in Rawalpindi to discuss issues of common interest under the rubric of the strategic dialogue process.

The defense working group, known as an Exchange on Defense Planning, was the first sectoral working group within the framework of the strategic dialogue since the Ministerial level U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue meeting held in Washington, D.C., in March this year.

The Pakistan side was led by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Athar Ali, Pakistan's Secretary of Defense, and the U.S. side was co-chaired by Mr. David Ochmanek, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development; and Mr. David Sedney, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. Both sides were assisted by officers from relevant departments and ministries.

Both sides discussed and reviewed cooperation in Defense relations, focused on the mutual challenges associated with multi-year cooperation between Pakistan and the U.S., and reviewed mechanisms for prioritizing and integrating security and defense capability requirements. They also exchanged views on security cooperation and areas of potential future cooperation between the two sides.

The U.S. delegation praised Pakistan's efforts in addressing the threat of violent extremism and recognized the courage and extraordinary sacrifices made by Pakistan's military, law enforcement agencies and the public in the fight against violent extremism. The Pakistani side also expressed appreciation for the U.S. support and assistance provided to Pakistan's security forces in the fight against extremism.

The talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere and both parties agreed to meet again in a follow-on exchange of defense planning.

 

[CaptainKidd]

The US Thursday announced it would double its training aid for the Pakistani Army and assured that all the defence and military needs of the country's armed forces would be met.

"We would double the money we are providing for training the army. Pakistan-US armed forces exercises have been conducted several times and they would be held in future as well," US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia) David Samuel Sedney told journalists at the US embassy here after the four-day meeting of the defence working group, Online news agency reported.

The working group, known as Exchange and Defence Planning, was the first sectoral working group within the framework of the strategic dialogue, since the ministerial level US-Pakistan meeting in Washington in March. Pakistani Defence Secretary Lt. Gen. (retd) Athar Ali led his country's side.

The US side was led by Sedney and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (Force Development) David Ochmanek. Assisted by officers from various departments and ministries, both sides discussed and reviewed cooperation in defence relations and the mutual challenges they faced. They also reviewed the mechanisms for prioritising and integrating security and defence capability requirements.

"We want strong, durable ties with the Pakistani Army," Sedney said, adding the Pakistani Army had apprised them of its needs and priorities and the US would consider them. In mid-July, another working group session would take place and in August, a Pakistani-US defence consultation group meeting would be held in which final shape would be given to the implementation of Pakistan's defence needs, Sedney added.

"We are fully cognizant of what Pakistan is doing for the region and that is why we want durable relations with the Pakistani forces, who are truly professional, to enhance their capacity. The provision of latest technology weapons is a step in this direction," he said. He, however, avoided answering a question on the shopping list and priorities of the Pakistani Army, saying it was better equipped to answer such a question.

"However we would consider their needs and decide a formula for its implementation. We will fulfil our promises." To a question on a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan on the lines of India, he said this did not come under the defence working group's domain.Source

 

[fatman17]

ASIA PACIFIC
Date Posted: 11-Jun-2010


Jane's Defence Weekly


US and Pakistan gear up for further strategic dialogue

Farhan Bokhari JDW Correspondent - Islamabad

A US delegation of senior defence officials visited Pakistan to attend closed-door meetings with their military counterparts from 7-10 June, in the latest attempt by Washington and Islamabad to build on the relationship between the two countries.

The group of US representatives was headed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Development, David Ochmanek, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, David Sedney.

The latest meetings in Islamabad, according to a senior Pakistani government official, are critical ahead of a planned US-Pakistan strategic dialogue next month, where US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton is due to lead a team from Washington.

Washington's contacts with Pakistan's military are mainly driven by the US pursuit of closer ties, meant principally for prevailing over Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. However, US officials say they are also keen to consider ways of tackling Pakistan's broader challenges - notably its economic issues - to reduce the likelihood of militants appealing to members of impoverished communities to join their cause.

Next month's strategic dialogue, which follows the first round in Washington in February, aims to cover a number of issues directly related to defence and counter-terrorism efforts, as well as other areas such as Pakistan's economy and growing energy shortages.

The Washington meeting was noted for the presence of General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Pakistan's army chief, who was seen as the most important attendee from the country. "While the Pakistani delegation next month will be led by Pakistan's foreign minister, it is Gen Kayani's presence on the table that gives more weight to this engagement," a Western ambassador in Islamabad told Jane's .

However, a senior Pakistani government official speaking to Jane's said that the key challenge is overcoming a trust deficit between the two sides. US officials continue to press Pakistan's military to intensify its hunt for suspected militants in areas such as North Waziristan along the Afghan border, in spite of Pakistan's insistence that it has done everything within its reach to tackle the challenge.

"This is a non-conventional war in which Pakistan has paid a very heavy price. Pointing fingers at Pakistan and accusing us of not doing enough will never help to deal with the challenge," said the official.

 

[razgriz19]

First Published: 00:43 IST(11/6/2010)
Last Updated: 00:49 IST(11/6/2010)
US to double training aid for Pakistan Army
The US Thursday announced it would double its training aid for the Pakistani Army and assured that all the defence and military needs of the country's armed forces would be met.

"We would double the money we are providing for training the army. Pakistan-US armed forces exercises have been conducted several times and they would be held in future as well," US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia) David Samuel Sedney told journalists at the US embassy here after the four-day meeting of the defence working group, Online news agency reported.

The working group, known as Exchange and Defence Planning, was the first sectoral working group within the framework of the strategic dialogue, since the ministerial level US-Pakistan meeting in Washington in March.

Pakistani Defence Secretary Lt. Gen. (retd) Athar Ali led his country's side. The US side was led by Sedney and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence (Force Development) David Ochmanek.

Assisted by officers from various departments and ministries, both sides discussed and reviewed cooperation in defence relations and the mutual challenges they faced. They also reviewed the mechanisms for prioritising and integrating security and defence capability requirements.

"We want strong, durable ties with the Pakistani Army," Sedney said, adding the Pakistani Army had apprised them of its needs and priorities and the US would consider them.

In mid-July, another working group session would take place and in August, a Pakistani-US defence consultation group meeting would be held in which final shape would be given to the implementation of Pakistan's defence needs, Sedney added.

"We are fully cognizant of what Pakistan is doing for the region and that is why we want durable relations with the Pakistani forces, who are truly professional, to enhance their capacity. The provision of latest technology weapons is a step in this direction," he said.

He, however, avoided answering a question on the shopping list and priorities of the Pakistani Army, saying it was better equipped to answer such a question. "However we would consider their needs and decide a formula for its implementation. We will fulfil our promises."

To a question on a civil nuclear deal with Pakistan on the lines of India, he said this did not come under the defence working group's domain.

HindustanTimes-Print

 

[fatman17]

my friend already posted in land forces segment - pls scan before posting.