HUNTER ENCOURAGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO URGE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT TO MORE AGGRESSIVELY ENGAGE AL-QAEDA ELEMENTS IN NORTHERN WAZIRISTAN

Feb 19, 2007
Press Release

Yesterday, U.S. House Armed Services Committee Ranking Republican Duncan Hunter (R-CA) sent a letter to President Bush encouraging him to urge the Pakistani government to more aggressively engage and defeat al-Qaeda elements reportedly based in the Pakistani tribal region of North Waziristan.

A copy of the signed letter is available.

For more information, please contact Josh Holly at (202) 226-3988 or josh.holly@mail.house.gov.

 

February 20, 2007 

Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Mr. President:

I am writing regarding the very troubling development of al Qaeda’s resurgence in the Pakistani tribal area of North Waziristan. Based on testimony received before the House Armed Services Committee last week, as well as recent articles in the press, it is clear that al Qaeda has found a safe haven in Pakistan where it is operating training camps for the purpose of carrying out strikes in Afghanistan and elsewhere. United States and allied forces can only secure Afghanistan, and prevail in Operation Enduring Freedom, if the al Qaeda havens in Pakistan are directly confronted.  

Specifically, I am concerned that the September 5, 2006, agreement between Pakistan and tribal elders in Waziristan is ineffective and complicating our mission in Afghanistan. This agreement exchanged an end to Pakistani military incursions into the tribal areas for a promise by the tribal leaders to expel militants from the border area. Rooting out al Qaeda is at the heart of Global War on Terrorism, and cannot be left to tribal entities to carry out. This mission should not be delegated to any entity other than professional security forces. 

Therefore, I am writing to request that you urge the Pakistani government to aggressively and directly confront all al Qaeda elements operating within their border. As you know, Pakistan has in the past exerted substantial efforts against al Qaeda; it is time Pakistan, once again, demonstrates that it will not tolerate al Qaeda sanctuaries. 

Mr. President, I am confident you share my concerns and will do everything in your power to protect the United States.  I look forward to working with you to achieve this end.

 

With best wishes,

 

Sincerely,

 

Duncan Hunter

Ranking Member

 

DH:rz

cc: Honorable Robert M. Gates