By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service
Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen met with Congress Wednesday to discuss a $549 billion DOD budget for FY 2011, and the U.S.'s relationship with Pakistan.
The budget request does not include an extra $159 billion to support Overseas Contingency Operations, primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a war supplemental of $33 billion this fiscal year to support the military's mission in Afghanistan.
During a hearing before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, Mullen said Afghanistan is becoming the “center of gravity” for U.S. forces, adding that the nation’s efforts will yield positive results in the coming months. Within months, Mullen said the number of American troops should decrease to 50,000, and the military’s role will shift from combative to an advise-and-assist role.
Both Mullen and Gates testified that Pakistan is becoming more cooperative with U.S. forces deployed in the area.
“There is a developing partnership or relationship with General [Stanley] McChrystal, in terms of coordinating what’s going on on both sides of that border, that I think represents a hugely salutary development,” Gates said.
Mullen added that improvement will not happen overnight, but the efforts of the Pakistani military show lasting promise.
“It is a matter of us building trust in the relationship,” Mullen said. “It’s coming back and we’ve had an impact on that border area and we will continue to do that.”
U.S.-Pakistan Relationship Improving, Say Officials
Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen met with Congress Wednesday to discuss a $549 billion DOD budget for FY 2011, and the U.S.'s relationship with Pakistan.
The budget request does not include an extra $159 billion to support Overseas Contingency Operations, primarily in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a war supplemental of $33 billion this fiscal year to support the military's mission in Afghanistan.
During a hearing before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, Mullen said Afghanistan is becoming the “center of gravity” for U.S. forces, adding that the nation’s efforts will yield positive results in the coming months. Within months, Mullen said the number of American troops should decrease to 50,000, and the military’s role will shift from combative to an advise-and-assist role.
Both Mullen and Gates testified that Pakistan is becoming more cooperative with U.S. forces deployed in the area.
“There is a developing partnership or relationship with General [Stanley] McChrystal, in terms of coordinating what’s going on on both sides of that border, that I think represents a hugely salutary development,” Gates said.
Mullen added that improvement will not happen overnight, but the efforts of the Pakistani military show lasting promise.
“It is a matter of us building trust in the relationship,” Mullen said. “It’s coming back and we’ve had an impact on that border area and we will continue to do that.”