Why "Blackwater" is behind suicide bombings in Pakistan
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US lawmakers call for withdrawal of 'secret' American troops operating in Pakistan
WASHINGTON: Two US lawmakers have proposed a bill demanding the withdrawal of all American troops from Pakistan.
The resolution, expected to be taken up in the House of Representatives next week, would require the Obama administration to pull American military trainers out of Pakistan by the end of the year.
"We have known that US forces have been operating in secret inside the territories of Pakistan without congressional approval," The Daily Times quoted Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic Representative, as saying.
Citing the 1973 War Powers Resolution, introduced after the Vietnam War, Kucinich said that the Obama administration had violated the Act, as it "only allows the President to send US armed forces into military operations abroad if the Congress approves the decision or if the US is under a serious threat or attack".
"It is our constitutional responsibility as members of the Congress to act," he added.
Meanwhile, Republican Ron Paul said that the US military has "significantly increased" its operations in Pakistan, without providing figures.
There are about 200 military personnel in Pakistan, and up to 120 are assigned to train the Pakistani military in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.
The US Special Operations Forces has also been allowed to operate alongside Pakistan military's Frontier Corps on humanitarian missions.
However, US officials revealed that that the teams join the Pakistani troops only when commanders determine that there is relatively little security risk.
The US troops are allowed to defend themselves and return fire if attacked, but the official emphasized the joint missions are not supposed to be combat operations.
This is an important move considering Pakistan's long stated objection to allowing any foreign troops from operating on its soil.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...oops-operating-in-Pak/articleshow/6210609.cms
WASHINGTON: Two US lawmakers have proposed a bill demanding the withdrawal of all American troops from Pakistan.
The resolution, expected to be taken up in the House of Representatives next week, would require the Obama administration to pull American military trainers out of Pakistan by the end of the year.
"We have known that US forces have been operating in secret inside the territories of Pakistan without congressional approval," The Daily Times quoted Dennis Kucinich, a Democratic Representative, as saying.
Citing the 1973 War Powers Resolution, introduced after the Vietnam War, Kucinich said that the Obama administration had violated the Act, as it "only allows the President to send US armed forces into military operations abroad if the Congress approves the decision or if the US is under a serious threat or attack".
"It is our constitutional responsibility as members of the Congress to act," he added.
Meanwhile, Republican Ron Paul said that the US military has "significantly increased" its operations in Pakistan, without providing figures.
There are about 200 military personnel in Pakistan, and up to 120 are assigned to train the Pakistani military in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.
The US Special Operations Forces has also been allowed to operate alongside Pakistan military's Frontier Corps on humanitarian missions.
However, US officials revealed that that the teams join the Pakistani troops only when commanders determine that there is relatively little security risk.
The US troops are allowed to defend themselves and return fire if attacked, but the official emphasized the joint missions are not supposed to be combat operations.
This is an important move considering Pakistan's long stated objection to allowing any foreign troops from operating on its soil.
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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...oops-operating-in-Pak/articleshow/6210609.cms
WSJ Blogs
Washington Wire
By Julian E. Barnes
Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are teaming up to force a debate on the House floor next week aimed at compelling the Obama administration to pull U.S. military forces from Pakistan.
Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio) and Ron Paul (R., Texas) at a news conference on June 16, 2005, to announce bipartisan legislation calling on President George W. Bush to set a plan for beginning phase-out of U.S. troops in Iraq. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) There are about 200 military personnel in Pakistan, and up to 120 are assigned to train the Pakistani military in the volatile tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal reported this week that U.S. special operations forces were now accompanying members of the Pakistan military’s Frontier Corps on humanitarian missions.
Kucinich, a liberal Ohio Democrat, said he decided to introduce the resolution after reading the Journal article.
Citing the War Powers Act, Kucinich said the Obama administration has failed to properly notify Congress about the U.S. forces in Pakistan.
Congressional leaders would like to avoid a debate on the U.S. presence in Pakistan. But by introducing a privileged resolution, Kucinich was able to force the House leadership to give him time on the floor along with Paul, a Texas Republican who has opposed the war in Afghanistan. The resolution would require the Obama administration to pull U.S. military trainers out of Pakistan by the end of the year.
Earlier this year, Kucinich forced a similar debate on a resolution to withdraw from Afghanistan. That resolution was easily voted down.
“Look at the history of U.S. military involvement; we became enmeshed in a war against Vietnam with advisers leading the way,” Kucinich said. “Mr. Paul and I are seeking to nip in the bud an expansion of U.S. ground presence in Pakistan.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/07/23/kucinich-paul-pull-troops-from-pakistan/
Washington Wire
By Julian E. Barnes
Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are teaming up to force a debate on the House floor next week aimed at compelling the Obama administration to pull U.S. military forces from Pakistan.
Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D., Ohio) and Ron Paul (R., Texas) at a news conference on June 16, 2005, to announce bipartisan legislation calling on President George W. Bush to set a plan for beginning phase-out of U.S. troops in Iraq. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Kucinich, a liberal Ohio Democrat, said he decided to introduce the resolution after reading the Journal article.
Citing the War Powers Act, Kucinich said the Obama administration has failed to properly notify Congress about the U.S. forces in Pakistan.
Congressional leaders would like to avoid a debate on the U.S. presence in Pakistan. But by introducing a privileged resolution, Kucinich was able to force the House leadership to give him time on the floor along with Paul, a Texas Republican who has opposed the war in Afghanistan. The resolution would require the Obama administration to pull U.S. military trainers out of Pakistan by the end of the year.
Earlier this year, Kucinich forced a similar debate on a resolution to withdraw from Afghanistan. That resolution was easily voted down.
“Look at the history of U.S. military involvement; we became enmeshed in a war against Vietnam with advisers leading the way,” Kucinich said. “Mr. Paul and I are seeking to nip in the bud an expansion of U.S. ground presence in Pakistan.”
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/07/23/kucinich-paul-pull-troops-from-pakistan/
