But what serious assurance does he have that Pakistan is no longer playing its double game? Are all the players of that game gone from the high levels of the Pakistani government?
“U.S. general in Pakistan for talks on equipment,” by Adam Entous for Reuters, August 19:
ISLAMABAD, Aug 19 (Reuters) – U.S. General David Petraeus and Pakistan military leaders would discuss on Wednesday expediting delivery of U.S. equipment to Pakistan so it can expand its offensive against Taliban militants, U.S. officials said.
With U.S. troop strength growing in Afghanistan, the United States wants Pakistan to eradicate Islamist militant enclaves on its side of the border and prevent Taliban fighters from crossing into Afghanistan.
The Pakistani army has been battling militants in parts of the northwest for months but a commander said on Tuesday the army was short of equipment, including Cobra attack helicopters, needed for a large-scale ground operation.
“It is part of a substantial effort to strengthen U.S.-Pakistani military cooperation,” U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, told Reuters, referring to the Patraeus visit.
Holbrooke said on Tuesday that Washington was trying to expedite delivery of equipment requested by the Pakistani army, including helicopters and parts.
Pakistan’s request for equipment would “come up for sure” in talks between Petraeus and senior Pakistani military officials, Holbrooke said….