ISLAMABAD - Gen. David Petraeus, the outgoing U.S. commander in
Afghanistan, and his soon-to-be successor met with top military leaders
in Pakistan on Thursday as the two countries struggled to resolve
tensions over the American raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Petraeus
and Marine Lt. Gen. John Allen's visit was part of a flurry over
meetings between diplomats and military leaders of the two countries
since the May 2 strike against the al-Qaida chief in the northwest
Pakistani garrison town of Abbottabad.
Pakistani civilian and
military leaders are angry over the raid because the Americans did not
warn them about it, although they insist they had no idea the terror
leader was on their soil. In response, they have kicked out many U.S.
military trainers and asked the Americans to reduce their footprint in
the country.
The U.S. recently announced it was suspending some $800 million in military aid to Pakistan until the relationship improves.
Nonetheless,
both sides appear intent on keeping the dialogue going, a reflection of
the realization that on some level the two countries need each other.
Pakistan needs the U.S. for its financial assistance, both military and
humanitarian, while the U.S. needs Pakistan for help in bringing peace
to Afghanistan.
On Wednesday, Pakistani spy chief Lt. Gen. Ahmed
Shuja Pasha left for a visit to Washington, while Marine Gen. James
Mattis, head of U.S. Central Command, met with Kayani in Pakistan.
Few
details were available about the meetings Thursday. The U.S. Embassy
said those gathered "discussed various topics of mutual interest and
ways to improve regional security."
This could be one of Petraeus
last trips to Pakistan, at least in his current capacity. He is slated
to become the next CIA chief. Allen is to succeed Petraeus as commander
of the NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. AP
