Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
January 6, 2008

Pakistan: US Banned From Attacking al Qaida in Tribal Areas
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AD172C:A6F02AD83191E160AE83E9AE46A7F8A6B3350E090FE6A6E8& Tribal areas along
the Afghan border are a stronghold of al Qaida and pro-Taliban groups
Pakistani officials are insisting U.S. forces cannot hunt al Qaida
fighters in the country, following a news report that senior U.S.
officials are considering expanded covert military operations inside
Pakistan's tribal areas.

Pakistan's top military spokesman, Major General Waheed Arshad, said
U.S. forces do not carry out military strikes inside Pakistan now and
would not be allowed to do so in the future.

The New York Times newspaper reported Sunday that U.S. officials are
increasingly worried that Pakistan's government is threatened by al
Qaida militants who are trying to destabilize the country.

The newspaper says senior U.S. officials, including Vice President
Dick Cheney, have discussed expanding the authority of the CIA and the
military to conduct far more aggressive operations inside Pakistan,
possibly using U.S. military forces.

Critics say U.S. forces conducting operations inside Pakistan would
spark a popular backlash against President Pervez Musharraf.

The tribal areas along the Afghan border are a stronghold of al Qaida
and pro-Taliban groups, and have long been a source of concern for
U.S., Pakistani and Afghan officials battling the Taliban insurgency
in Afghanistan.

Pakistani efforts to patrol the area using special paramilitary forces
have largely failed to prevent militant groups from expanding their
influence.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.




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