Defense Secretary Gates apologizes for U.S. attack that killed 3 Pakistani soldiers

Defense Secretary Gates apologizes for U.S. attack that killed 3 Pakistani soldiers

2010-10-21 19:56:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates apologized for the inadvertent attack on a border guard post that killed three Pakistani soldiers in September, saying it was "unintentional," the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan said Thursday.

Defense Department leaders on Wednesday met with Pakistan's army chief of staff to discuss military-to-military partnership and security assistance as part of the Third U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue under way this week.

"[Gates] said it was unintentional, and we are working with [Pakistan] to ensure it never happens again. He expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers," said Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell, who confirmed the meeting between the leaders.

The meeting also covered the need to better coordinate operations along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

"We've been doing a much, much better job of that for many, many months now," he said, "but this incident clearly indicates there is more work to be done, and there was a resolve and commitment to do the hard work that it takes to better coordinate our actions on both sides of the border."

Gates, along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy met with General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and members of his staff.

Morrell said during the meeting Gates expressed the department's appreciation and recognition of the Pakistani military's contributions and sacrifices in combating terror in Pakistan and conducting counterinsurgency operations there.

The Defense Secretary also committed to the security and development of Afghanistan over the long term. But beyond Afghanistan and the important role Pakistan plays in the ultimate successful outcome in that country, Gates expressed hope in building "a long-term, wide-ranging [relationship] with Pakistan on its own merits."

The discussion also featured security assistance topics including coalition support funds, the Pakistani counterinsurgency capabilities fund and foreign military sales.

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