Pentagon reaffirms respect for Pakistan sovereignty

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon has said Pakistan is a vital partner in the fight against terrorism in the region and reaffirmed its respect for the country’s sovereignty.
“We respect Pakistan’s sovereignty and have very good cooperation and coordination with them in counterterrorism efforts on the Afghan border,” a Defense Department spokesman said.
The spokesman, asked to comment in the context of a media report claiming US commanders in Afghanistan suggesting actions against militants that may be hiding on the Pakistani side of the border, said he was not aware of any such suggestions. The New York Times also reported over the weekend that the Bush Administration had rebuffed such suggestions.
“Pakistan is the most vital ally in the region” in combating terrorism, Lt Col Mark Wright said as he also acknowledged the country’s key anti-terror role and sacrifices over the years.
“We recognize that Pakistan has lost hundreds of its security personnel in the war on terror and the Pakistani people have also suffered,” he stated. The State Department, commenting on the findings of a government oversight agency, had also defended Pakistan’s counterterrorism role. It reminded that the country had captured hundreds of al-Qaeda operatives since September 11, 2001 and deployed more than 100,000 security forces on its Afghan border to curb terrorism activities.