NATO Chief: Foreign Troops Will Not Seek Militants in Pakistan

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (L) speaks as Afghan President Hamid Karzai watches during a news conference in Kabul July 24, 2008.

From Voice Of America:

NATO's chief says alliance forces in Afghanistan will not enter neighboring Pakistan to hunt militants there.

But Jaap de Hoop Scheffer says soldiers have the right to defend themselves if attacked from across the border.

Speaking at a joint news conference in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday, de Hoop Scheffer said NATO will not seek a wider U.N. mandate allowing forces to target militant hide-outs in Pakistan.

President Karzai told reporters the fight against terrorism is not in Afghanistan, and the country will not be secure unless the international community addresses the question of sanctuaries in Pakistan.

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More News On NATO Announcing That They Will Not Enter Pakistan

Nato warning on Pakistan fighters -- BBC
‘NATO has right to hit back Pakistan militants’ -- Daily Times
Extremist sanctuaries unacceptable: NATO chief -- AFP
NATO chief says will not hunt Taliban in Pakistan -- Radio Australia
NATO troops will not pursue rebels into Pakistan -- Radio Netherlands
NATO chief says will not hunt Taliban in Pakistan -- Reuters
NATO chief in Afghanistan -- The Post, Pakistan
NATO leader urges Pakistan border cooperation -- USA Today
NATO chief proposes regional approach for tackling Afghan security challenge -- China View

My Comment: NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer flies into Pakistan and makes the comment that Taliban and Al Qaeda sanctuaries in Pakistan are unacceptable .... and then states that Nato will do nothing about it. I am sure that President Karzai must be "steaming" upon hearing these comments from the Nato head. This completely undercuts President Karzai's vehement opposition and determination to go against Pakistan and its support for the Taliban.

From where I stand, the NATO chief is pursuing a policy that is doomed to defeat. Without being able to strike your enemy, the enemy will then strike you but at his own time and choosing. He voices the need for regional cooperation .... but Pakistan is clearly only interested in a Pakistan solution .... not a regional one.

Again ..... I find it perplexing that on one hand he says that these Taliban sanctuaries are not acceptable .... but on the other hand he then states that he will do nothing about it. I have trouble digesting this type of thinking.

I am positive that many allied soldiers in the field are now shaking their heads. I am also positive that many Taliban and Al Qaeda members are now laughing at us in the Pakistan Tribal Areas.