US to train Pak. army in counter-insurgency operations

US military advisors in dozens may soon be heading for Pakistan to train its army in counter-insurgency and the specialised warfare course could begin in matter of weeks, according to a top US military commander. "The US and Pakistan have cleared remaining obstacles, so the long delayed team may arrive in Islamabad within weeks", Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff was quoted by Los Angeles Times on his return from a key visit to Pakistan. Washington for months has urged the Pakistanis to accept a training team. Pakistan resisted, asking for additional weaponary and equipment some US officials believe is best suited for its standoff with regional rival India, the Paper said.

But now , Mullen told the paper, the primary stumbling block had been the fact that Pakistan could not build the proposed training site, near the western town of Peshawar, quickly enough. He said the two sides had now agreed to use an alternative site, north of Pakistani capital Islamabad. " We're still going through adminstrative delays, but I do see it happening", Mullen said adding " I think It's in the next few weeks". Mullen's remarks were the first since his unannounced trip to Pakistan, his fifth since becoming Chairman last year.  He said he made the latest visit because of accusations that US had violated Pakistan's Sovereignty in a special operations raid this month near the Afghan Border. The raid provoked strong reaction from Islamabad with both Military and Political leaders warning that its forces might open fire on foreign troops that cross into Pakistani territory. Mullen told the paper he believed Pakistani officials were insisting on their right to "defend their country, which I understand and which anybody understands". He said " Clearly we have no desire to get into any kind of engagement with Pakistan Military."  Earlier, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates in London emphasised the importance of strategy talks with Pakistan. Asked to identify the Central front in the US administration's war on terrorism, Gates said al-Qaeda's havens in western Pakistan remained a " real threat".