WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the United States is willing to help Pakistan fight Islamic militants if such a request is received, it was reported.
"We remain ready, willing and able to assist the Pakistanis and to partner with them to provide additional training, to conduct joint operations, should they desire to do so," Gates said.
Gates said Pakistan had not asked for such assistance but that discussions are being held on ways Washington can help the Pakistan military deal with growing internal threat from groups affiliated with al-Qaida, the Financial Times reported Friday.
He said Pakistan would need to evaluate how U.S. help would be received among the people, the report said.
"And I think we would take very seriously and clearly defer to their judgment about what works for them," Gates said. He added the United States is only considering a small number of troops for any such operation, the report said.
The Washington Post reported the United States has started building coordination centers along the Afghan-Pakistan border to be staffed by officers from the three countries. Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, the top U.S. commander for eastern Afghanistan, said the countries would share intelligence and conduct combat operations more closely.
Copyright 2008 by UPI
