Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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September 17, 2008

Top US Military Official Meets Pakistani Officials
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Meeting with Admiral Michael Mullen aimed at easing tensions over
missile strikes on Pakistani territory 
Admiral Mike Mullen (File)The U.S. military chief has met with top
Pakistani officials in Islamabad, in an effort to ease tensions over
U.S. missile strikes on Pakistani territory. Chairman of the U.S. Joint
Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, held separate talks with
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and General Ashfaq Kayani
Wednesday. The tensions stem from recent U.S. missile strikes on
suspected al-Qaida and Taliban militant targets in Pakistan's tribal
regions. But a Pakistani military official Wednesday rejected recent
media reports that Pakistan has ordered its troops to fire on aircraft
if there are any future cross-border incursions. Instead, the official
told VOA that Pakistan's army reserves the right to retaliate in
self-defense against any foreign aggression. Speaking from Kabul, U.S.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. will cooperate with
Pakistan to disrupt the militant safe havens. In a separate development,
Pakistani officials say government troops backed by fighter jets
targeted militant hideouts in the Bajaur tribal region Wednesday,
killing at least 10 insurgents.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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