US must increase efforts in Afghanistan, Pakistan: Mullen

By Wajid Ali Syed – Washington Correspondent for Asian Tribune

Washington, 05 May, (Asiantribune.com): The US military chief expressed concern Tuesday about Taliban advances in Pakistan and said that, "we are ready to assist Pakistanis in their fight against this common enemy of ours."

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at a news conference said, "I am gravely concerned about the progress they have made in the south and inside Pakistan," adding that "the consequences of their success directly threaten our national interests in the region and our safety here at home. This isn't about 'can-do' any more; this is about 'must-do.'"

The United States must increase its efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mullen said. More manpower is flowing into Afghanistan, and more money and resources are moving in to Afghanistan and Pakistan. "But we need a commensurate commitment from the civilian side," he said. "And as I've said many times before, we need more, and more concerted, pressure applied from Pakistan as well."

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen who returned from a trip to the region last week, also said that the US strategic focus must shift to Afghanistan. "I say that with the full knowledge that we still have about 136,000 American troops in Iraq, and that the fighting there isn't over," he said.

The admiral said he is comfortable with the security of Pakistan's nuclear weapons and that the Pakistani military leadership, in particular, understands the danger extremists might pose to the weapons. The United States has helped the Pakistanis secure the facilities, and the Pakistani military is continuing to improve the security set-up.

- Asian Tribune -