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U.S. Troops For Pakistan?

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Los Angeles Times

Published: January 25, 2008

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military would be willing to undertake joint combat operations with Pakistani forces against Islamic militants if Pakistani leaders request the help, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.

Gates' remarks at a Pentagon briefing represented the first such public offer by a top Bush administration official since Pakistan's military leadership changed last year. It also reflects growing U.S. concern over the renewed militancy there.

Before Thursday, Pentagon officials avoided raising the possibility of combat operations with Pakistanis because of opposition by President Pervez Musharraf and the likelihood of widespread protests.

Asked about a widely reported proposal for expanding the U.S. military's training activities in Pakistan, Gates said the Pentagon was willing to go further by conducting joint combat operations.

He said using U.S. combat troops in Pakistan to pursue al-Qaida leaders was the "subject of ongoing dialogue" with officials there.

"We remain ready, willing and able to assist the Pakistanis ... to provide additional training, to conduct joint operations, should they desire to do so," Gates said.

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