Pakistan to Panetta: No (More) U.S. Boots on the Ground

[tekisui]

Source: CBS News

CIA Director Leon Panetta arrived in Islamabad on an unannounced visit Friday, his first to the country since bin Laden's killing. He came to urge Pakistan to reconsider its decision to seek the removal of nearly 100 U.S. military trainers tasked with helping the country's army cope with its conflict with al Qaeda and the Taliban, according to a senior Pakistani government official who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity.

Western diplomats say that, while Pakistan depends on the U.S. for billions of dollars in military and economic assistance, Washington also requires Pakistan's help to gather intelligence on the movement of militants across the Afghan-Pakistan border.

But Pakistan's position has hardened on the issue of full-fledged military operations in north Waziristan ever since U.S. Navy SEALs attacked and killed Osama bin Laden in the northern city of Abbottabad last month. The country's civil and military leaders reacted angrily to the attack, arguing that any operation by foreign forces in the country must be undertaken only with Pakistan's prior knowledge and permission.

(snip)

"Mr. Panetta was told point blank, there will be no U.S. boots on the ground," said the Pakistani government official who spoke to CBS News.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503543_162-20070653-503543.html#ixzz1OzzeeLGU

[xchrom]

1. The u.s. Would send more CIA & backwater to replace them. Nt

[ej510]

2. The U.S. terrorist organization doesn't give a fuck about what Pakistan wants.