US trying to improve Af-Pak border coordination: Panetta
Said Afghanistan, India and Pakistan need to work together against common threats.
WASHINGTON:
US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that while there was no doubt that militants were crossing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, they were trying to improve border coordination with Pakistan.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Pentagon with the US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, Panetta said that cross border cooperation with Pakistan had been increasing, and that International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander General Allen had been meeting with Pakistan Army chief General Parvez Kayani in this regard.
He added that that Dempsey and US Central Command head General Mattis would also be meeting with Kayani.
“Pakistan has taken a positive, visible step in advancing the shared objective of a peaceful Afghanistan. Their decision to open Nato supply lines means a great deal to us,” said the Secretary of Defense.
He added that General Allen hoped Pakistan and the US would work together in identifying militants crossing the border.
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to cooperate
"We have always stressed on the importance of India and Pakistan working together to confront issues they face," Panetta said.
He said that he believed there would not be stability in the region unless India, Pakistan and Afghanistan work together against common threats, adding that he has stressed upon Pakistan that terrorism represents a threat to the US and Pakistan, highlighting that many in Pakistan had died as a result of terrorist attacks.
US Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that while there was no doubt that militants were crossing the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, they were trying to improve border coordination with Pakistan.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Pentagon with the US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, Panetta said that cross border cooperation with Pakistan had been increasing, and that International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) commander General Allen had been meeting with Pakistan Army chief General Parvez Kayani in this regard.
He added that that Dempsey and US Central Command head General Mattis would also be meeting with Kayani.
“Pakistan has taken a positive, visible step in advancing the shared objective of a peaceful Afghanistan. Their decision to open Nato supply lines means a great deal to us,” said the Secretary of Defense.
He added that General Allen hoped Pakistan and the US would work together in identifying militants crossing the border.
India, Pakistan and Afghanistan need to cooperate
"We have always stressed on the importance of India and Pakistan working together to confront issues they face," Panetta said.
He said that he believed there would not be stability in the region unless India, Pakistan and Afghanistan work together against common threats, adding that he has stressed upon Pakistan that terrorism represents a threat to the US and Pakistan, highlighting that many in Pakistan had died as a result of terrorist attacks.