US to Reduce Military Forces in Pakistan
Pentagon Says Reductions Have Already Begun
Pentagon spokesman Col. Dave Lapan today confirmed that the US has recieved an official demand from the Pakistani government to reduce the number of soldiers inside Pakistan, and that the US intends to comply with the call.
Indeed, Col. Lapan reported that the US had already “begun those reductions.” The exact details of the reduction were not released, but the US confirms having “over 200″ soldiers in Pakistan on training missions, and is believed to have more in officially unconfirmed embedded missions.
Pakistan made its intentions public on May 5, saying that they had demanded that the US reduce the number of troops in the country to the “minimum essential.” This came in the wake of rising tensions over the raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
The US and Pakistan have been at odds over the raid, both because the Obama Administration did not inform Pakistan ahead of time and because in the wake of the raid, the White House insisted it set a precedent for more unilateral raids onto Pakistani soil.
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JLS
May 25th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
"the US intends to comply with the call."
In public. But behind the scenes I will suspect them of not pulling out unless the Pakistani government stops taking the American aid bribe.
ghouri
May 26th, 2011 at 1:23 am
Pakistan should also demand to withdraw CIA and blackwater agents who are responsible for these suicide bombs and security of the nation.
Abtobad action is a lie and pakistanis know but President has sold out Pakistan for money.
So long americans are present in pakistan will continue these terror acts because terrorists are trained and provided with logistic which can be provided by CIA,RAW and Mossaad.
thedissenter
May 26th, 2011 at 5:20 am
Did the US agree with a wink, a nudge and fingers crossed behind its back?
thedissenter
May 26th, 2011 at 5:21 am
This is all a show for the sheep on both sides of the equation. Once the US grabs hold of something, it never, ever lets go. They're in Pakistan to stay. Just like in Iraq. And Afghanistan. And Libya. And…
steve
May 26th, 2011 at 8:37 pm
not with a bang but with a whimper