Gates acknowledges U.S. strikes in Pakistan

[unhappycamper]

Gates acknowledges U.S. strikes in Pakistan
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Sep 24, 2008 5:35:48 EDT

Defense Secretary Robert Gates appeared to acknowledge Tuesday that U.S. troops have crossed the border from Afghanistan to Pakistan to strike insurgent forces hiding in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Pakistani officials have complained bitterly about what they have described in news accounts as multiple U.S. cross-border military forays, saying they violate Pakistan’s sovereignty. U.S. officials have long complained about insurgent freedom of movement in the so-called safe haven that is Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Area, but have not acknowledged reported U.S. missile strikes and helicopter assaults against insurgent positions.

Such an acknowledgement, however, appeared to take place during an exchange between Gates and Sen. James Webb, D-Va., at a Tuesday morning Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, after Webb asked Gates whether he thought Pakistan accepts the notion that international law contains a justification for the cross-border strikes “that have taken place inside Pakistan.”

“I don’t know for sure, senator,” Gates replied, not denying that strikes had occurred. “But I would suspect from the public reaction of the government that it probably does not.”

“But ... you would agree, under international law, there is a justification for the United States to conduct unilateral actions inside Pakistan of the sort that have taken place?” Webb asked, adding that he wondered whether the administration had reviewed the legal issue.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/military_gates_afghanistan_092308w/%2e