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Rawalpindi - August 17, 2012:
General James N. Mattis, Commander US CENTCOM, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, last night. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, at length.
COAS categorically dispelled the speculative reporting in US media, regarding understanding given to General John Allen, Commander ISAF about Pakistan Army’s readiness to launch joint operations in North Waziristan Agency (NWA).
COAS clarified Pakistan’s position by referring to Secretary Clinton’s statement of 3 July 2012, in which she talked of "coordinated actions against terrorists who threaten Pakistan and the region.” It is important to distinguish between ‘coordinated action’ and ‘joint operation’. ‘Coordinated action’ implies that Pakistan Army and ISAF conduct operation on respective sides of Pak - Afghan Border. For such actions, intelligence sharing is the mainstay of mutual cooperation. Contrarily, a ‘joint operation’ implies that the two forces are physically employed jointly on either side of the border. A’ joint operation’ in this sense is unacceptable to the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan, hence, has always been our clearly stated red line.
COAS clearly reiterated Pakistan’s oft repeated perspective: we might, if necessary, undertake operations in NWA, in the timeframe of our choosing and determined only by our political and military requirements. It will never be a result of any outside pressure. Pakistan’s national interest continues to be the prime consideration for any decision in this regard.
Both sides expressed satisfaction over the level of cooperation between the two militaries and resolved to continue it to further improve relations between the two countries.
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