Gates offers combat aid to Pakistan

[deminks]

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. military would be willing to undertake joint combat operations with Pakistani forces against Islamic militants if Pakistani leaders request the help, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Thursday.

Gates' remarks at a Pentagon briefing represented the first such public offer by a top Bush administration official since a change in 2007 in Pakistan's military leadership. It also reflects growing U.S. concern over the renewed militancy there.

Before Thursday, Pentagon officials avoided raising the possibility of combat operations with Pakistanis because of opposition by President Pervez Musharraf and the likelihood of widespread protests against U.S. involvement.

Asked about a widely reported proposal for expanding the U.S. military's training activities in Pakistan, Gates said the Pentagon was willing to go further by conducting joint combat operations.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gates25jan25,1,6548185.story?track=rss