AfPak strategy greatest challenge: Mullen

WASHINGTON (Agencies) - Executing the Presidents strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan presents his biggest challenge, said the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
However, Navy Adm Mike Mullen said he sees progress being made in both countries.
In December, we recruited to an exceptionally high number for the Afghans army specifically; so much so that the [Afghan] minister of defence had to stop recruiting mid-month because he was well over what the system could absorb, Mullen told the CNN on late Sunday. Thats a good sign. Mullen indicated that an increase in pay for Afghan security forces might have been part of the reason behind the recruiting success.
While security force numbers are up, problems still exist within the Afghan government, tribal elders claim endemic corruption on all levels and significant steps need to be taken to deal with this issue, Mullen said, noting that President Barack Obama has spoken to the need for Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his leadership to address the problem.
These same elders said to me that they were embarrassed that the United States soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines were dying for them, Mullen said. They appreciate what weve done, but they really want to lead the effort.
The situation in Pakistan also seems to be shifting, Mullen noted. Hes met with the head of Pakistani Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani about 20 times.
He just finished his ninth campaign over the last year, year and a half up in South Waziristan, Mullen said. I spent all day in Swat, flew from South to North, and where a lot of us thought Swat was a year ago and where it was headed is ... completely reversed.
The US relationship with Pakistan is absolutely critical, he said, adding that his visits were part of effort to rebuild trust lost as US has long history of supporting country, but also has left it hanging several times.
My visits help understand, through eyes of Pakistanis, what the countrys challenges are. Iran, and the effort to ensure it doesnt develop a nuclear weapon, also will prove a challenge, he noted.
When I speak of leaving all options on the table [for dealing with Iran], certainly it includes the potential for military options, Mullen said. But Ive also been very vocal on the need for the diplomatic, the political, the international focus here, to generate enough intensity and motivation on the part of the leadership of Iran not to consummate this threat.
Irans success in creating a nuclear weapon would prove destabilising for the region, possibly creating a regional nuclear weapons race, Mullen said. The interview also addressed Al-Qaeda, the groups tie to Yemen and the Christmas bomber.
Yemen has made improvements, Mullen said, despite facing internal challenges that include a rebellion in the north, a secessionist movement in the south and a battle with Al-Qaeda.
I dont understate both the challenges internal to Yemen, as well as the need for the international community to support and help with respect to how we address this in the future, he said. And this Al-Qaeda threat is not going away. Its going to keep coming at us - and I dont just mean us the 'United States, I think 'us internationally - until we take steps to finish it off.
The United States has not taken a more aggressive approach in Yemen, which is thought to have a few hundred Al-Qaeda members, according to intelligence reports, out of respect for the country, Mullen said.