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Votel says the US considers Saudi Arabia a close partner, as well as leader in addressing violent extremism
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The US is not contemplating military action inside Pakistan, says Pentagon
Pakistan remains “absolutely critical” to the success of America’s South Asia security strategy, US Central Command (CENTCOM) Chief Gen Joseph Votel has said.
“We are very busily implementing our South Asia strategy, which is designed to bring the Taliban to the reconciliation table and end this very, very lengthy conflict (in Afghanistan),” he said during a teleconference arranged by the US State Department’s Dubai Regional Media Hub.
“This approach, this strategy, requires the partnership of not just Afghanistan, but of all countries in the region, and of course Pakistan is a key part of that,” he added. “We have had our differences with Pakistan over the years on this, but Pakistan remains absolutely critical to the solution of the problem in Afghanistan.”
Votel recalled the heavy price that Pakistan has paid in its fight against terror. “There are very few countries that have suffered more from terrorism, or sacrificed more in fighting terrorism, than Pakistan,” he said in response to a question from Arab News.
He said the US is actively engaged with Pakistan in bringing peace to the region. “We are working very closely in our military-to-military chains, and in other venues, to improve our collaboration and our support back and forth in what is an extraordinarily complex situation,” he added.
The Afghans, under President Ashraf Ghani, “are making efforts at reform, they are addressing corruption, they are improving their leadership, and they are improving their Afghan forces and (their) fighting capability,” said Votel.
“They are set to continue to put military pressure on the Taliban and its cohorts as we embark on this season’s fighting, and of course… the US-NATO coalition will play a key part in that, and we are taking all necessary actions right now to address that.”
Votel, who was in Riyadh recently, described Saudi Arabia as a “very, very important partner” of the US. “Saudi Arabia is an extraordinarily important and influential state, not just in the Gulf but throughout the Middle East and globally,” he said.
“Saudi Arabia leads a coalition in Yemen that is attempting to address the challenges posed by the Iranian-backed Houthi organization,” Votel said. “We are not necessarily parties to that conflict, but certainly they (Saudi Arabia) play a key role in trying to bring some stability to that conflict.” “We consider Saudi Arabia to be not only a close partner, but a leader in addressing violent extremism, and the clearest example of that, of course, is the Islamic Military Counterterrorism Coalition.”
NO MILITARY ACTION IN PAKISTAN
The US is not contemplating military action inside Pakistan, the Pentagon said on Thursday, refuting such reports appearing in Pakistani newspapers.
Instead, the US seeks Pakistan’s cooperation and assistance in various operations under its new South Asia strategy, Lt Gen Kenneth F McKenzie told reporters at a news conference.
We actually don’t contemplate military operations inside Pakistan. On the other hand, we recognise, because the strategy is inherently regional and Pakistan is geographically located at a critical nexus of a lot of different things, Pakistan is a fundamental part of the strategy.
“Through a variety of measures, we look to gain Pakistani cooperation and assistance as we pursue operations in Afghanistan. But we’re not planning to conduct military operations inside Pakistan,” he told Pentagon reporters in response to a question.
Under the new South Asia strategy, Pakistan has an opportunity to be a partner in the fight against terrorism, Pentagon’s Chief Spokesperson Dana White said.
It (Pakistan) has been a victim of terrorism, and it has supported terrorism. We are looking for Pakistan to actively join, it can do the things we need them to do to confront terrorism.
“So it’s an inflection point, it’s an opportunity, and we hope Pakistan will take it,” she said in response to a question.
White refuted impression that there is a connection between the recent attacks in Kabul and the US’ decision to suspend aid to Pakistan.
The Taliban is desperate. They’re murderous and they attack innocent civilians. As the general said, these were flashy but it shows their disparity.
“For every attack that’s carried out, many, many, many are stopped, many are prevented from occurring. So to think that you’re going to have exquisite timing on when an attack occurs is probably a bridge too far for the Taliban to have,” White said.
