HARTFORD, Conn.—U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, on his first mission abroad as a senator, said Friday he and three other congressional members are urging Pakistani officials to stop the flow of materials into Afghanistan that are being used to make deadly roadside bombs.
In a telephone interview from Islamabad with The Associated Press, the Democrat from Connecticut said the contingent has met with the prime minister, defense minister, the army's chief of staff, top leaders of parliament and other senior officials to discuss the bomb-making and other issues.
"We have expressed very directly and passionately how seriously and strongly the American people feel about this terrible threat to our war fighters, but also to civilians of Pakistan and Afghanistan," said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"It is the most common weapon used by the terrorists against our troops," Blumenthal said. "And it produces the signature wound of this war, which are the missing limbs and other horrific wounds."
The congressional delegation is being led by Democratic Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, chairman of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs. Others on the mission include Republican Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat.
The delegation is scheduled to leave Pakistan on Saturday for an undisclosed location. It is not expected to return to the U.S. until Aug. 30.
Blumenthal said most of the roadside bombs used in Afghanistan are made with everyday materials manufactured in neighboring Pakistan, including fertilizer comprised of ammonium nitrate or potassium chloride. Blumenthal said he's hopeful to meet with at least one of the manufacturers during his visit.
The senator said the Pakistanis have developed a plan to pursue, prosecute and destroy the terrorist networks by using mobile communication and the military. He said he hopes the U.S. government will support the plan, which he said has great promise.
"But the key will be how it's implemented," said Blumenthal, who believes the Pakistanis understand they have a "commonality of interest" to stop terrorists from misusing the materials to make the deadly bombs, which have also been used in Pakistan. Part of the Pakistani plan involves tagging and tracing the materials, he said.
"The government of Pakistan has a clear path forward," he said. "They have stated that they recognize our strong interest, and I'm encouraged by the dialogue. But the test will be if there are results." AP
In a telephone interview from Islamabad with The Associated Press, the Democrat from Connecticut said the contingent has met with the prime minister, defense minister, the army's chief of staff, top leaders of parliament and other senior officials to discuss the bomb-making and other issues.
"We have expressed very directly and passionately how seriously and strongly the American people feel about this terrible threat to our war fighters, but also to civilians of Pakistan and Afghanistan," said Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
"It is the most common weapon used by the terrorists against our troops," Blumenthal said. "And it produces the signature wound of this war, which are the missing limbs and other horrific wounds."
The congressional delegation is being led by Democratic Sen. Robert Casey of Pennsylvania, chairman of the Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs. Others on the mission include Republican Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet, a Democrat.
The delegation is scheduled to leave Pakistan on Saturday for an undisclosed location. It is not expected to return to the U.S. until Aug. 30.
Blumenthal said most of the roadside bombs used in Afghanistan are made with everyday materials manufactured in neighboring Pakistan, including fertilizer comprised of ammonium nitrate or potassium chloride. Blumenthal said he's hopeful to meet with at least one of the manufacturers during his visit.
The senator said the Pakistanis have developed a plan to pursue, prosecute and destroy the terrorist networks by using mobile communication and the military. He said he hopes the U.S. government will support the plan, which he said has great promise.
"But the key will be how it's implemented," said Blumenthal, who believes the Pakistanis understand they have a "commonality of interest" to stop terrorists from misusing the materials to make the deadly bombs, which have also been used in Pakistan. Part of the Pakistani plan involves tagging and tracing the materials, he said.
"The government of Pakistan has a clear path forward," he said. "They have stated that they recognize our strong interest, and I'm encouraged by the dialogue. But the test will be if there are results." AP
