Pakistan strike unlikely, State Dept. says

Pakistan strike unlikely, State Dept. says
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Jan 22, 2008 17:34:56 EST

The U.S. is not likely to unilaterally strike al-Qaida or Taliban insurgents hiding out in Pakistan’s remote northwest region, the State Department’s top counterterrorism official said Tuesday — but Washington would provide military aid to Pakistan if requested.

“In those areas where they solicit assistance, we’ll provide it,” Dell Dailey said in a morning meeting with defense writers in Washington. “But we see the use of unilateral action contrary to the sovereignty of an influential and very supportive partner in the fight against terrorism.”

Dailey was appointed in June to lead the State Department’s Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism and, working with the U.S. Counterterrorism Team, takes a leading role in coordinating and supporting the development and implementation of all U.S. government policies and programs aimed at defeating terrorism overseas. The team includes the Defense Department.

The Bush administration has pressured Pakistan to take tougher action against Islamic insurgents, possibly including Osama bin Laden, believed to be hiding in the rugged Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which cover 10,888 square miles of Pakistan’s territory adjacent to Afghanistan’s eastern border.

Earlier this month, the New York Times reported that the U.S. was considering giving the CIA and the Pentagon authority to conduct aggressive covert operations in Pakistan.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/military_pakistan_080122w/