Pakistan calls for U.S. to leave airbase used for drone attacks

[Bosonic]

Source: CNN

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's defense minister called Wednesday for the United States to leave the airbase used to launch drone attacks against Taliban and al Qaeda targets on the border with Afghanistan, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

"We have told them (the U.S. officials) to leave the airbase," Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar told reporters about Shamsi Airbase in Balochistan, APP reported.

Asked about the remarks, a U.S. official said the comments "are news to us" and that U.S. counterterrorism operations in Pakistan were continuing.

Separately, a source familiar with U.S. drone operations in Pakistan said the airbase in southwest Pakistan was "still open for business."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/06/29/pakistan.drones/index.html?eref=edition

[cosmicone]

1. Pakistani drama can be so hilarious at times .... n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Would anybody like to place a wager on whether or not the US will leave that base?

[Yon_Yonson]

4. Not I

I am sure that Washington will convince the Pakistanis with enough greenback to assure an American military/CIA being there for the next 100 years.

[Kolesar]

3. "Limited sovereignty"

Sucks to be you

[Historic NY]

5. It just shows this relationship of convenience is convenient at this time.