Pakistan

'US wants Pakistan to launch operation in North Waziristan'

Munter says he would leave the Pakistan Army to decide when to launch an operation.

Express December 17, 2010

ISLAMABAD:

US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Friday that the US wants Pakistan to launch a military operation in North Waziristan soon.

Addressing the media in Islamabad, the US ambassador said he would leave the Pakistan Army to decide when to launch such an operation.

The army has assured the United States that they will take action in North Waziristan at the right time.

Answering a question, he said that the US will not object to any civil nuclear deal between Pakistan and China if it abides by international rules of civil nuclear agreements. He added that the US had recently made a civil nuclear deal with India and the chances of such a deal with Pakistan cannot be ruled out. Munter said that the Pakistan Army has done a great job in curbing militancy.

Pakistan has long been under pressure by the US to launch a military offensive in North Waziristan. The Foreign Office however has denied being under US pressure to launch an offensive in the northwestern region which the US calls a 'hub of militant activity', saying that the operation will be launched only if it is in Pakistan's 'interest'.

Last month, The Express Tribune reported that the government had authorised Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to take a final decision on when and how to launch a military operation in the North Waziristan tribal region.

COMMENTS (5)

Paul Langner | 13 years ago | Reply China and India will have to exert leverage to convince Pakistan that it will be in the best interests of all 3 nations-politically as well as economically-to restrain tribal and Taliban conflict in order to preserve our (USA's) economy and resulting support of the 2 nations' continued progress. Without US markets and foreign aid, this development will obviously be hindered. It's the old story of follow the money. Only Arms Dealers win if this slaughter continues.

Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi | 13 years ago | Reply well as kayani has himself removed all the doubts by saying that civilian leadership will decide whether there would be a operation or not so we should not go into that debate, secondly the same is the case in USA there army also dont listen to civilian leadership. An example of this is the Afghan War. Obama says we should indulge in talks with the Taliban and Al Qaeda and in Afghanistan US Army is fighting and killing them instead of doing negotiations. Army never listens to anyone they do whatever they want to

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Yasser | 13 years ago | Reply Keeping the history of North Waziristan in mind, It would be a disaster for Pakistan army if they launched operation there, Pakistan and it's government should ask US to implement check on cross border movement instead of just asking Pakistan to launch operation there.

Syed Mustafa Zaidi | 13 years ago | Reply This news is shame for Government of Pakistan. No where in civilized democracies Army decide to laucnh action . If this is true then Mushraff was right to launch Military action in Kaargil. Mian Shareef Should not blaime the army. Some body should have asked Mr. Munter, does in their country army decides or the elected Government deicde such issues. How can he claim this. This statement implies that army is not taking orders from civil democratic Goverment, which tentamounts to treason.

Ahsan Iftikhar Nagi | 13 years ago | Reply Obviously the operation is in our interest so i think Kayani and Company should take measures quickly,...

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