WASHINGTON - With Washington-Islamabad ties returning to normal, the Pentagon has said it is working with both Afghanistan and Pakistan to reduce tension between the two countries over border clashes.
“We are working closely with both countries, obviously, to try to limit violence along the Afghan-Pakistan border. We have obviously been in constant contact with the Afghan government to work on these issues and we have put pressure on the enemy that operates along the border,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters.
"On the Pakistani side of the border, we are settling back into a normal phase of cooperation with our Pakistani partners and coordination, we believe, is improving,” he said, when asked about complaints and counter-complaints by Pakistan and Afghanistan about cross-border attacks. Little said he does not think there would be any change in Pakistan policy towards Afghanistan because of the new prime minister. “No, we don't believe so,” he said.
Meanwhile, the US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano expressed her condolences over the weekend fatal shooting of three contractors stationed at the Herat Training Centre in the western province.
“All three individuals were supporting Afghan Border Police training efforts when they came under attack. Their tragic deaths remind us of the dangers facing our men and women overseas and the many sacrifices they make on our behalf every day,” she said.