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US Secretly Speeds Pakistan Military Aid
Washington funnels helicopters, arms, technology for Taliban fight
By Jason Farago
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Posted Oct 29, 09 6:42 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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The Pakistani government keeps insisting that the US has little to no role in its offensive in Taliban-controlled border regions—but out of sight, Washington has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars worth of arms and equipment to the country's forces this year. President Obama himself intervened at one point to speed 10 helicopters to Pakistan for its campaigns in Swat and South Waziristan. There are also around 150 special forces soldiers advising the Pakistani forces, although none in a combat role.
Senior US and Pakistani officials would only talk to the New York Times off the record, since Pakistan believes any hint of US involvement gives insurgents further cause to fight. This weekend the Pakistani army's spokesman told reporters, "Let us finish the job on our own"—yet privately, officials grouse that aid has been slow in coming and equipment is less than state-of-the-art. "Pakistan still does not have all the weapons or assistance that it needs to do the job right," lamented one expert.