US Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrookeaddresses a press conference in Islamabad.—AFP
From Dawn:
ISLAMABAD: The United States said on Friday that Afghan drug trade was not a major source of funding for militancy and extremism in Pakistan. The financing came from extremists’ patrons in Gulf countries — an aspect now being scrutinised, the statement added.
It also dismissed the presence of American weapons with the Taliban as a routine feature of guerilla warfare.
‘Private individuals who support extremists bring money in through illegal means … hawala system and the area focussed is the Gulf Cooperation Council countries,’ US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told a media briefing at the American Embassy.
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My Comment: Holbrooke mentions that the issue of drone attacks is not being brought up by Pakistani officials or civilinas. Well duh ....the Pakistanis have more pressing problems than a few Predator strikes. A civil war that has now displaced millions. An economic and financial crisis that is crippling the economy. Bombing attacks everyday in the major cities. Yup .... the Pakistanis have more pressing problems than a few targeted killings of Al Qaeda/Taliban leaders or commanders.