Mullen: More Pakistan border fights likely

[unhappycamper]

Mullen: More Pakistan border fights likely
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 26, 2008 15:19:50 EDT

Accidental firefights between national forces operating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, such as the Thursday incident in Khost, are likely to continue despite efforts to prevent them because of a combination of border tension, the proximity and variety of forces, and the rugged, complex terrain, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs said today.

But contrary to a recent comment by a Pakistani army spokesman that his country’s troops have orders to fire at U.S. personnel and helicopters operating in the border region, Adm. Mike Mullen said no such orders exist.

“I’ve been given assurance by the senior military leadership in Pakistan that ... there is certainly no ... intent or plan to fire on our forces,” Mullen said at a Pentagon news conference.

But, he added, “I’m not going to be totally surprised if it happens in the future. It’s a pretty tense place.”

Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area, or FATA, which runs along that nation’s northwest border with Afghanistan, has long been viewed by U.S. officials as a safe haven for insurgents.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/military_mullen_pakistan_092608w/%2e