Petraeus hears strikes criticism

By M Ilyas Khan
BBC News, Karachi

Gen Petraeus says he had 'frank' talks with Pakistani officials

The head of US Central Command General David Petraeus has said he will consider Pakistani criticism of US missile strikes on Pakistani territory.

Pakistan says the missile strikes are "counter-productive" and detrimental to the so-called "war on terror".

Gen Petraeus met Pakistan's army chief and prime minister during his first visit to the country since taking up his new position.

His responsibilities include Iraq and Afghanistan as well as Pakistan.

Gen Petraeus arrived in Pakistan on Sunday, and left for Afghanistan on Tuesday evening.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Gen Petraeus confirmed that Pakistani officials had been critical of US missile attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas.

Suspicions

"In fact, we got certain messages with each of those we talked to today and some of those were very clear and we have to take those on board," CNN quoted him as saying.

"The tone of the conversation today was very frank and very forthright, which is as it should be," he added.

Since 1 September, there have been at least 17 of these strikes and, while US officials say al-Qaeda leaders are being successfully targeted, local tribesmen say scores of civilians have been killed.

Most of the missile strikes have taken place in the Waziristan region, where no Pakistani military operation is in progress.

Pakistan says such attacks are proving counter-productive to its own strategy of fighting the militants.

During his two-day visit, Gen Petraeus also met top Pakistani officials in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, and in the North West Frontier Province, which is facing an insurgency by Islamist militants.

He said he had discussed with officials the suspicions that the Pakistani intelligence agencies may have been backing the insurgents.

Damage to civilian life and property is making Pakistan's leaders uneasy

Pakistani forces have been engaged in battles in the north-western regions of Bajaur and Swat to eliminate militant sanctuaries there.

Western powers believe Islamist militants have been attacking the coalition forces in Afghanistan from their sanctuaries in the Waziristan and Bajaur regions.

On Tuesday, Gen Petraeus met the North West Frontier Province Governor, Owais Ghani, and Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti.

Media reports, quoting officials privy to the meetings, said Gen Petraeus favoured a surge in troops in Afghanistan to achieve military targets before negotiating peace with militants inclined to reconciliation.

On Monday, Gen Petraeus met President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, and army chief General Ishfaq Kayani.

He told CNN he had discussed suspicions that elements in Pakistan's spy service had been secretly colluding with the Taliban militants, but declined to say whether he thought that was the case.

"Over time, there may be contact" with militants, he said. "The key is that all are aware of what's going on and that goes two ways."

Gen Petraeus was until recently commander of the US military in Iraq.

He was widely credited with improving security there through the "surge" plan, which saw nearly 30,000 US troops deployed to trouble-spots.