Michele Flournoy, undersecretary of defense for policy, and others told Pakistani government officials.
Flournoy recognized actions Pakistan has taken to deal with extremists within its border, and promised continued U.S. support, said David Sedney, deputy assistant secretary for Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia.
"America will remain a staunch supporter of Pakistani security and prosperity long after the guns fall silent," Sedney said Flourney told the Pakistani delegation led by the Pakistani defense secretary, retired Lt. Gen. Syed Athar Ali.
The 18th Defense Consultative Group session, the first since 2006, occurred just a week after Obama's announcement regarding Afghanistan only coincidentally, Sedney said.
But it provided a valuable forum to discuss Pakistan's role in the strategy's success, he said, and to clear up Pakistani concerns about the draw-down plan in Afghanistan.
The meeting between U.S. and Pakistani leaders appeared to be tainted by a growing government scandal involving Pakistan's defense minister.
Mukhtar appeared on a local television news show and admitted that he and his naval chief had been blocked from boarding a flight to China, where he was to pick up a new warship for Pakistan's Navy.
Mukhtar is and close to 250 other officials are prohibited from leaving their country without prior authorization. They will not be arrested but Pakistan's anti-corruption agency will continue investigating allegations of graft leveled against them.
According to the Pentagon, the Supreme Court in Islamabad ruled that the original amnesty for top politicians and bureaucrats, including Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, was unconstitutional.
America will remain a staunch supporter of Pakistani security and prosperity long after the guns have fallen silent," Secretary Sedney said the delegates told the Pakistanis.
Initially, the U.S.-Pakistani partnership will focus primarily on supporting Pakistan's internal struggle against extremists, Sedney said. This includes boosting Pakistan's counterterrorism and counterinsurgency capabilities, and ultimately, providing more combined training opportunities.
But over the longer term, the United States also is committed to helping Pakistan increase development and security, while strengthening its democratic institutions, he said. This effort will transcend current operations, helping Pakistan become a major stabilizing force in the region.
"This is a comprehensive effort," Sedney said. "This is not just a military-focused effort, to focus on one military task, and then the relationship stops....It is a whole-of-government approach that is aimed at addressing the immediate [threats], but also looking forward to a longer, more strategic [partnership]."
The next delegation-level meeting to assess progress is to be held in the new year in Islamabad, according to Ms. Miles.
He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. Kouri writes for many police and security magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer and others. He's a news writer and columnist for AmericanDaily.Com, MensNewsDaily.Com, MichNews.Com, and he's syndicated by AXcessNews.Com. Kouri appears regularly as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Fox News Channel, Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, etc.
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Comments
Maybe we can outsource prosecution of our corrupt politicians and officials to Pakistan, they seem to be good at it!
When part of the body is infected with cancer or gagrine need to amputed .There is no cure at that time .Soon Intellectuals have to learn from old saying.Secrifice a perosn to save a family ,To save a town secrifice the family and to save this world secifice the currupt and distructive nation.
And a stitch in time, saves nine, Arish :)
Btw, which nation do you plan to sacrifice?
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