Pakistan leader backs army chief's US rebuke

[September 11, 2008]  ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's prime minister on Thursday backed the army chief's criticism of the U.S. following a deadly American-led ground assault in Pakistani territory.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's comments Wednesday reflected government policy.

The powerful but media-shy army leader had said that Pakistan would defend its territory, it had no deal with the U.S. allowing it to operate in its borders, and unilateral attacks risked undermining joint efforts to end violent extremism.

"Falling for short-term gains while ignoring our long-term interest is not the right way forward," Kayani warned.

Gilani's comments were reported by state media and confirmed by his office.

The statements reflected a growing strain in relations seven years after the Sept. 11 attacks forged the two countries' anti-terror alliance.

The ground assault last week, and a barrage of suspected U.S. missile strikes in recent days, suggest growing American impatience with Pakistan's efforts to eradicate militant safe havens in its tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.

U.S. officials say eliminating those pockets in Pakistan's northwest are critical to reducing attacks on NATO and American forces in Afghanistan. A Pentagon spokesman would not directly respond to Kayani's remarks, but said the two countries were working together on border-related issues.

On Thursday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he'll discuss a new approach to policing the Afghan-Pakistan border in talks with President Bush. He says a new strategy is needed to halt the flow of Taliban and militant fighters between Pakistan and its neighbor.

Still, the tensions indicate growing frustration and fading trust in both countries on the anniversary of the attacks in the United States.

Many Pakistanis blame their nation's alliance with the U.S. for fueling violence in their country, while U.S. officials worry that Pakistan's government is secretly aiding militant networks -- keeping them as a wedge against longtime rival India.

While Pakistan's government earlier issued strident protests over the ground assault, even summoning the U.S. ambassador, Kayani's statement was significant because he so rarely speaks publicly and because he heads Pakistan's most powerful institution.

Gilani's comments also came as The New York Times reported Thursday that President Bush had secretly approved orders allowing American Special Operations forces to undertake ground assaults inside Pakistan without getting prior Pakistani government approval.

Asked to comment on the report, the Foreign Ministry referred to Kayani's statement.

The cross-border strikes also come at politically sensitive times in both countries.

The Bush administration is on its way out, leading some analysts to speculate it is turning to missiles and ground assaults in Pakistan to try to score some last-minute victories in the face of a growing Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

Pakistan, meanwhile, just elected a new president, Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of slain ex-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who is generally considered pro-American and has said terrorism is Pakistan's chief challenge. Zardari was sworn in Tuesday and visited his wife's grave to pay respects on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the bullet-riddled bodies of three men active in anti-Taliban activities were found Thursday in the Bajur tribal region, witnesses and officials said.

Government official Jawed Khan said the bodies were found with a letter saying "This is the result of working against the Taliban and cooperating with the army instead of joining jihad."

Tribal leaders in the Salarzai area of Bajur have denounced the Taliban. Recently, armed tribal members torched and destroyed several suspected militant houses and hideouts.

[Associated Press; By NAHAL TOOSI]

Associated Press writer Munir Ahmad and Zarar Khan in Islamabad and Habid Khan in Khar contributed to this report.

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