From Press TV:
Pakistani premier slams US strikes
Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:27PM
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has harshly criticized the US drone attacks on his country's northwestern region, saying they undermine anti-terror efforts.
Gilani said non-UN sanctioned drone strikes by the US undermine efforts to fight terrorism in Pakistan, adding that such attacks have created problems for Islamabad, a Press TV correspondent reported.
“Under a well-thought-out strategy we had separated the tribes from militants, but when drone attacks occur, militants and tribes unite again, which is difficult for us to sustain politically and it also create difficulties for the military operations,” Gilani said.
“Nobody can win Afghanistan war without Pakistan. Drone attacks are not in favor of both countries,” he said.
Gilani's comments came just hours after at least six people were killed in a drone strike in North Western Pakistan.
The US claims its air raids target militants who cross the Pakistani border into Afghanistan. But locals say civilians are the main victims of the unauthorized attacks.
The unauthorized US drone attacks have drawn strong criticism from Pakistani nationals and officials.
US drone attacks have killed scores of people so far this year. Last year alone some 1,200 Pakistanis lost their lives in over 100 such strikes, reports say.
Islamabad has also asked Washington to reduce the number of CIA operatives in the county.
Meanwhile, reports say US President Barack Obama has rejected Islamabad's call for more transparency regarding CIA operations in the country.
JR/HGH/MGH
Pakistani premier slams US strikes
Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:27PM
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
Pakistan's Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has harshly criticized the US drone attacks on his country's northwestern region, saying they undermine anti-terror efforts.
Gilani said non-UN sanctioned drone strikes by the US undermine efforts to fight terrorism in Pakistan, adding that such attacks have created problems for Islamabad, a Press TV correspondent reported.
“Under a well-thought-out strategy we had separated the tribes from militants, but when drone attacks occur, militants and tribes unite again, which is difficult for us to sustain politically and it also create difficulties for the military operations,” Gilani said.
“Nobody can win Afghanistan war without Pakistan. Drone attacks are not in favor of both countries,” he said.
Gilani's comments came just hours after at least six people were killed in a drone strike in North Western Pakistan.
The US claims its air raids target militants who cross the Pakistani border into Afghanistan. But locals say civilians are the main victims of the unauthorized attacks.
The unauthorized US drone attacks have drawn strong criticism from Pakistani nationals and officials.
US drone attacks have killed scores of people so far this year. Last year alone some 1,200 Pakistanis lost their lives in over 100 such strikes, reports say.
Islamabad has also asked Washington to reduce the number of CIA operatives in the county.
Meanwhile, reports say US President Barack Obama has rejected Islamabad's call for more transparency regarding CIA operations in the country.
JR/HGH/MGH
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