Wednesday, May 2, 2012

U.S. Drone Strikes In Pakistan Will Continue After 2014

A Reaper drone aircraft lands during a training program at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. U.S. commanders in Afghanistan and Iraq have demanded an increase in number of drone aircraft in the next three years. Rick Loomis/Los Angeles Times/MCT/Newscom

US-Afghan Pact Leaves Door Open For Drone Strikes -- The Telegraph

A pact signed between the US and Afghanistan on the future of their relationship could leave the door open for continued drone strikes against insurgent targets in Pakistan after 2014, according to US Ambassador Ryan Crocker.

"There is nothing in this agreement that precludes the right of self-defence for either party and if there are attacks from the territory of any state aimed at us we have the inherent right of self defence and will employ it," he said.

Mr Crocker responded to a question about controversial drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda targets in Pakistan at a briefing on the deal signed in Kabul overnight by President Barack Obama and Afghan leader Hamid Karzai.

Read more ....

Update: US-Afghan pact 'does not rule out drone strikes' -- AFP

My Comment: This is another clear signal that the war and conflict in Afghanistan and on the Afghan/Pak border will continue for years.

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