Pakistani army chief to attend NATO meeting

By IANS,

Brussels : The US drone attacks inside Pakistan territory will top the agenda of the two-day NATO meeting that begins here Wednesday, EuAsiaNews has reported.


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Pakistan’s Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani who has arrived in Brussels is set to raise the issue that has strained the relations between the US and Pakistan, its once closest ally in the war against terror.

“Army chief Ashfaq Kayani will discuss the complexities of security issues and the need for a comprehensive approach, while fully addressing Pakistan’s interest,” Pakistan’s military had said in a statement ahead of Kayani’s departure for Brussels Tuesday.

“He will participate in the meeting of chiefs of defence for discussion on the prevailing security situation in the region and discuss implications of drone strikes,” the statement said.

Last week, Pakistan President Asil Ali Zardari had promised zero tolerance against violations of his country’s sovereignty.

According to a statement by the 26-member alliance Monday, more than 60 chiefs of defence from NATO members, Partnership-for-Peace nations, the Mediterranean Dialogue countries and Ukraine are participating in the Autumn meeting in Brussels.

This will be the second of three meetings per year for the NATO chiefs of defence, NATO’s highest military authority.

Among the other issues, the officials will discuss NATO operations in Afghanistan, Kosovo and preparations for the next NATO summit in April.

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