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Pentagon hails Pak offer to train Afghan forces

By Lalit K Jha

Jan 30, 2013 - 10:27

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WASHINGTON (PAN Army’s offer to train Afghan security forces, saying the US had been encouraging this kind of cooperation between the two for a long time.

“Any time the Pakistanis and the Afghans come together and cooperate on training or other activities, that’s beneficial. We’ve been encouraging that kind of cooperation for a long time,” the Pentagon press secretary said.

George Little told reporters at a news conference it was no secret that there had been tension in the past between Afghanistan and Pakistan. “If there are confidence-building measures like this that can take place, then we would welcome that.”

New reports from Islamabad said Afghanistan and Pakistan were nearing a deal on the training relationship, a move that signals longstanding mistrust between the neighbours. The offer was renewed by the Pakistan Army chief at a meeting with a visiting Afghan delegation.

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