News
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Centcom Chief meets General Kayani, Gen Tariq Majeed, Defence secretary: US to continue assistance to Pakistan
* Defence secy says Pakistan will not be used for terrorism
By Sajjad Malik
RAWALPINDI: The United States will continue to provide assistance to Pakistan in the war against terror, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Acting Commander Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey said on Monday. In a visit to Pakistan, the CENTCOM chief held meetings with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Tariq Majeed and Defence Secretary Kamran Rasool. During his meeting with the CJCSC, the CENTCOM chief was assured that Pakistan would continue the war on terror. However, the CJCSC told Dempsey that people who were willing to renounce militancy would be brought into mainstream through political dialogue. Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey also met General Kayani and discussed various professional matters with him. No terrorism: During his meeting with Gen Dempsey, Defence Secretary Kamran Rasool said that Pakistan would not allow its territory to be used as a staging ground for terrorism. The secretary said the US should fulfil its promise of establishing Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ) in the Tribal Areas to ensure employment for the people, Online reported. The CENTCOM chief returned to the US on Monday afternoon, according to a US Embassy press release. Spokeswoman Elizabeth Colton said Gen Dempsey had termed the talks ‘productive’.
Courtesy Daily Times