The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Washington

The United States is "ready, willing and able" to conduct joint combat operations with Pakistani troops against insurgents in Pakistan if Islamabad agrees, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said. Gates, speaking at a Pentagon press conference with Admiral Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he was unaware of any Pakistani request for additional US military assistance but said it was part of an ongoing dialogue. "First of all, 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," he said. Asked whether joint operations meant US combat troops fighting with Pakistani troops against Al-Qaeda in the tribal areas near the border with Afghanistan, Gates said, "If the Pakistanis wanted to do that, I think we would."