KABUL, Afghanistan -- The Commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John R. Allen, welcomes Pakistan’s decision to reopen the Ground Lines of Communication as a demonstration of Pakistan’s desire to help secure a brighter future for both Afghanistan and the region at large.
Allen has traveled to Pakistan several times in recent weeks to meet with Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan’s chief of Army Staff. The purpose of these trips is to continue building the increasingly important and positive military-to-military relationship between Pakistan and ISAF.
“These continuing discussions underscore the importance of working together on the challenges facing our two countries in the days, months, and years to come. I look forward to future opportunities to work together toward our common goals, by taking coordinated action against terrorists,” Allen said. The two commanders also discussed the growing value of the relationship and the tactical and operational efforts and measures being taken to defeat the terrorists that threaten the region.
Both leaders also recognized the tremendous sacrifices made by Afghan, Pakistani, and ISAF service members to ensure the brutal tactics of our common enemies no longer harm innocent people. “At times like these, my thoughts and prayers turn to the sacrifices of our honored partners, the Afghan National Security Forces, and to the sacrifices of the noble people of Afghanistan who have given so much to the cause of freedom,” Allen said on returning to Kabul.