Pakistan rejects US action on militants on its soil

Islamabad, July 21: Pakistan insisted today that only its own troops can carry out counter-terrorism actions on its soil, rejecting a Washington statement that US forces kept all options open in striking at al Qaeda or the Taliban.

''We remain determined not to allow al Qaeda or any other terrorist entity to establish a safe haven on our territory,'' Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said in a statement.

''Whatever counter-terrorism action is to be taken inside Pakistan, it will be taken by our own security forces. This has been and remains the basis of our cooperation with the US'' White House spokesman Tony Snow said yesterday that the United States never ruled out any options when it came to striking against al Qaeda or the Taliban.

Aslam described such statements as ''irresponsible and dangerous''.

US forces in Afghanistan have carried out strikes in Pakistan in the past, often using missile-carrying Predator drone aircraft, without confirming them so as not to embarrass Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf, an important ally.

The United States has been putting pressure on Pakistan to do more to curb al Qaeda activities on its territory notably in North Waziristan, a tribal area near the Afghan border regarded as a safe haven for militants since the government made a peace pact there last September.

The deal was struck because of the mounting casualties of the Pakistani army, which had more than 700 soldiers killed fighting militants in the tribal lands. The army still has around 85,000 troops stationed in border areas.

Militants tore up the deal this week, adding to the problems Musharraf is facing from Islamists who have launched a suicide bomb campaign in the aftermath of an army operation to crush a militant stronghold in an Islamabad mosque earlier this month.

At least 180 people, mostly police and soldiers, have been killed in the Islamist offensive, while 102 people, mostly followers of a Taliban-style militant movement, were killed in the siege and commando assault on the capital's Red Mosque.

Snow said Musharraf ''is now going to have to be more aggressive and is being more aggressive moving forces'' to troublespots.

Reuters>