COAS raises border posts issue with Petraeus

[LahoreEstate]

RAWALPINDI: NATO forces vacating checkposts in Afghanistan allow Afghan Taliban to cross the Pak-Afghan border and join the Pakistani Taliban in South Waziristan, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Monday.

During a meeting with US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief General David Petraeus, he discussed the US providing state-of-the-art weapons to Pakistani forces to help them combat terrorists in the Tribal Areas. The two generals also exchanged views on increasing cooperation in the war on terror and sharing intelligence to combat terrorists of the region. In a brief press release, the Inter-Services Public Relations stated the visiting dignitary and the COAS had also discussed matters of professional interest.

Separately, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani met the CENTCOM chief and urged him to expedite the supply of vital equipment to buttress Pakistan’s armed forces’ ability to combat terrorists. He said the US and NATO forces should check the illegal crossing of terrorists from Afghanistan to Pakistan.

The US general assured the premier the remaining balance of the Coalition Support Fund and the Foreign Military Funds owed to Pakistan would be released as soon as possible. He said the ongoing defence cooperation between the US and Pakistan would be strengthened. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg1_6