Wednesday
Jul162008
Defense officials: Pakistan border porous, foreign fighters in Afghanistan
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 2:38PM
The U.S. forces in Iraq are entering a 45-day period of review recommended by outgoing Multinational Forces commander Gen. David Petraeus. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen recently returned from a visit to the Middle East and he spoke with optimism about his trip to Iraq saying that if conditions continue to improve, he expects "to be able to, early in the fall, to recommend to the secretary and the president further troop reductions."
Regarding Afghanistan, Mullen noted that coalition forces are seeing more foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan "unmolested and unhindered." Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Gates described all U.S. military action toward Pakistan in response to this as defensive counter attacks and dismissed the notion of a cross-border offensive by the U.S. Gates also said that the absence of pressure has created an opportunity for more people to cross the border and launch attacks. He called for more pressure and engagement with Pakistan to increase security on the Pakistani side of the border.
Military commanders in Afghanistan have made it clear that there is an increased need for more troops in there, but both Mullen and Gates have said that an increase of troops in Afghanistan hinges on troop reductions in Iraq. Some forces, the USS Lincoln for example, have been shifted to support Afghanistan and Gates said that other options are being examined. Both Gates and Mullen said that more troops in Afghanistan would make a big difference in security in Afghanistan.
An recent attack on an outpost in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, which killed nine U.S. troops and resulted in the abandonment of the outpost was described by Mullen as one of significant numbers and sophistication. "It was a very large group, several hundred insurgents, it was very well planned, a very sophisticated attack...from what I can see right now is that they were well trained, well armed, and it was a significant number and a complex attack," he said.
Regarding Afghanistan, Mullen noted that coalition forces are seeing more foreign fighters flowing across the border with Pakistan "unmolested and unhindered." Secretary of Defense Robert Gates Gates described all U.S. military action toward Pakistan in response to this as defensive counter attacks and dismissed the notion of a cross-border offensive by the U.S. Gates also said that the absence of pressure has created an opportunity for more people to cross the border and launch attacks. He called for more pressure and engagement with Pakistan to increase security on the Pakistani side of the border.
Military commanders in Afghanistan have made it clear that there is an increased need for more troops in there, but both Mullen and Gates have said that an increase of troops in Afghanistan hinges on troop reductions in Iraq. Some forces, the USS Lincoln for example, have been shifted to support Afghanistan and Gates said that other options are being examined. Both Gates and Mullen said that more troops in Afghanistan would make a big difference in security in Afghanistan.
An recent attack on an outpost in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, which killed nine U.S. troops and resulted in the abandonment of the outpost was described by Mullen as one of significant numbers and sophistication. "It was a very large group, several hundred insurgents, it was very well planned, a very sophisticated attack...from what I can see right now is that they were well trained, well armed, and it was a significant number and a complex attack," he said.
"Burn A Quran" Day Still On, Despite Petraeus Warning
A Florida pastor says he is now “weighing” plans to follow through with a scheduled “Burn A Quran” day on the anniversary of September 11 after Gen. David Petraeus warned that the event would endanger the lives of U.S. troops and would also be detrimental to U.S. efforts in the Afghanistan.
Despite warnings and condemnation from top U.S. military and government officials, the Florida pastor said the proceedings will continue as scheduled.
“We have firmly made up our mind, but at the same time, we are definitely praying about it,” Terry Jones, pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainseville, Florida told CNN in an interview.
According to recent reports, Jones said in response to warnings from Petraeus and others that “it’d be tragical if because of this one person died. But at the same time, we do not feel responsible for that.”
Known to the social media world as “International Burn A Koran Day,” the event has nearly 9,000 Facebook supporters.
“On September 11th, 2010, from 6pm - 9pm, we will burn the Koran on the property of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam. Islam is of the devil!” the page reads.
The Facebook page sparked the creation of dozens of other pages denouncing the event and the intentions of Jones. Additionally, the event has also ignited a series of protests in Kabul, Afghanistan where hundreds have gathered for two consecutive days burning American flags and effigies of the pastor and shouting “Death To America.”