US will continue drone strikes in Pakistan, says Panetta - Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.

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Wednesday 6 June 2012

US will continue drone strikes in Pakistan, says Panetta





By Ajai Shukla
Business Standard, 7th June 12

Leon Panetta, in his first visit to New Delhi as America’s secretary for defence, flatly declared that the United States will continue drone strikes against terrorist targets in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), even if Islamabad believed that its sovereignty was being violated. The strikes were justified, said Panetta, because the terrorists who killed 3000 Americans on 9/11 continued to take refuge in FATA.

The statement is significant, given that President Barack Obama faces attack at home over the legal rationale for drone attacks on Pakistani soil. A Republican congressman, Dennis Kucinich is leading a growing movement that questions the administration on the legal basis for striking targets in a country that the US is not at war with. The Pakistani media is prominently covering this letter campaign.

Today, addressing an audience of strategic thinkers in New Delhi, Panetta laid out the administration’s case in detail. “With regards to drones… this is about our sovereignty as well. Because there were a group of individuals who attacked the United States on 9/11 and killed 3000 of our citizens. And we went to war against those who attacked the United States of America. The leadership of those that were involved in planning those attacks located (themselves) in Pakistan in the FATA. We have made clear to the Pakistanis that the United States of America is going to defend ourselves against those that would attack us. And we have done just that. We have gone after their leadership and we have done that effectively, targeting Al Qaeda leadership and terrorists.”

Panetta went on: “The terrorists who threaten the United States threaten Pakistan as well. This is not just about protecting the United States; it is also about protecting Pakistan. And we have made very clear that we are going to continue to defend ourselves.”

Panetta made common cause with India on the need to stabilize Pakistan. “We can’t have a stable Afghanistan without a stable Pakistan,” he said. “India views the relationship with Pakistan as complicated and so do we. And it is… but at the same time, it is a necessary relationship… it is not easy, but it is necessary.

In contrast to the hard line against Pakistan, Panetta described India as central to America’s new posture in the Asia Pacific. “America is at a turning point. After a decade of war, we are developing a new defence strategy --- a central feature of which is a “rebalancing” towards the Asia-Pacific region. In particular, we will expand our military partnerships and our presence in the arc extending from the Western Pacific and East Asia into the Indian Ocean region and South Asia.”

“Defence cooperation with India is a linchpin in this strategy. India is one of the largest and most dynamic countries in the region and the world, with one of the most capable militaries. India also shares with the United States a strong commitment to a set of principles that help maintain international security and prosperity.”

During his two-day visit to New Delhi, Panetta met the prime minister, the national security advisor, and held delegation meetings with his counterpart, Defence Minister AK Antony. Panetta says the two sides discussed America’s new focus on the Asia-Pacific; the transition in Afghanistan and the need for India to continue supporting the government in Kabul; the India-Pakistan peace dialogue; and issues like piracy, terrorism, Iran and North Korea.

8 comments:

  1. Can you give some insight about US placing its troops in Arunachal pradesh.

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  2. US shall continue the drone strikes in Pakistan till the whole matter is resolved.

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  3. leadership and we have done that effectively, targeting Al Qaeda leadership and terrorists.”

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  4. Sure... USA citizen is protected by... and life is guaranteed... as stated by thier Republic's constitution... but The Republic of India's Govt is not responsible for... its citizen... even if The Republic has a constitution... and majority is cannon fodder for... al qaeda... indian mujahideen... isi... LeT... Huji... Maoists... and australian punks...

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  5. ... also Italian Marines practice... as target shooting...

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  6. HI Ajai'ji,

    Just one minor correction: Dennis Kucinich is a Democrat and not a Republican. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Kucinich

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Pakistani Generals couldn't care less. All they want is imported Scotch, Seekh Kabab, and a Swiss bank account.


    Oh and a nuclear arsenal to threaten their next door neighbours and the world. Keep the $$$$ coming....

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  8. Ajay Ji,
    what do you say about this news..
    "Army chief Bikram Singh lifts discipline and vigilance ban on Lt General Dalbir Singh Suhag"

    http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/army-chief-lifts-discipline-and-vigilance-ban-on-lt-general-dalbir-singh-suhag/1/199631.html

    My Analysis is..as below also every body I have spoken to, on this topic/matter agrees and have clear knowledge as below(available on Internet ).

    Lt.Gen Suhag earlier was earlier involved in corruption case when he was IG of SFF under(RAW)along with some other TOP RAW officials in a Equipment Purchase and Kickback deal.....this complaint/issue was sent to Cabinet Secretariat by earlier Gen V K Singh for further probe and action. Cabinet Secretariat which works under PMO,did not probe this further and dumped under carpet as these RAW officials promised to help Congress Party remain in power and will also run different campaigns against it's opponent parties and peoples...also agreed work alongside CIA to carry it's operation in India....now Gen Bikram Singh cleared Lt. Gen Suhag again of his misdeeds ..paving way to make him next Army Chief....just continuation of the game started earlier by Congress and made worthless Gen Deepak Kapoor as army chief(also Adarsh Society Scam beneficiary)..later he picked Gen J J Singh as his successor..also played key cunning role in not correcting Gen V K Singh's Date of Birth..also instructed his own right hand Lt. Gen Avadesh Prakash who was then working as Military Secretary(Sukhna Land Scam Beneficiary) not to correct the DOB of Gen V K Singh so that ..Gen Bikram Singh(Congress needed a Ye Maam General and he is also a CIA pick studied in US Military college) becomes next chief of Army. Now Gen Vikram Singh is doing the same and paving the way to make Lt.Gen Suhag as next Army Chief as per Congress's and CIA wish.

    Our motherland INDIA has become playground/battleground of some other powerful country of avoiding WAR in their country's own mainland(A well known policy and Historical Truth) ...ultimately will result in increasing in sufferings of our simple and poor country men with help & support from some of our own country fellow. What do you say...?

    ReplyDelete

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