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Biden to Visit Pakistan and Afghanistan As Tensions in Region Flare Up
January 06, 2009 9:07 AM
Vice President-elect Joe Biden will visit Pakistan and Afghanistan in the coming days, ABC News has learned, just as tensions between India and Pakistan are increasing in the wake of the November terrorist attacks in Mumbai.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that "given the sophistication and military precision of the attack, it must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan," comments that prompted Pakistani officials to accuse India of leading the region to a military confrontation.
Pakistani Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said, "If India takes military action against Pakistan, it would be a big mistake. India is pushing this region to war."
The Obama Transition Team this week announced that Biden, who remains a U.S. Senator, will be accompanying his colleagues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Southwest Asia, though it did not specify which countries. Also traveling will be Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who will replace Biden as chair of the committee, Sens. Jack Reed, D-RI, Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lindsey Graham, R-SC.
As a candidate for president, President-elect Obama made Southwest Asia a focus of his foreign policy, saying the U.S. should send more troops to Afghanistan to fight terrorists there, and should be willing to send troops into Pakistan to attack high-value terrorist targets if given actionable intelligence, with or without Pakistani government permission. At the time Biden criticized Obama for making such a public pronouncement about Pakistan, saying it showed his then-rival's inexperience in foreign affairs.
-- jpt
January 6, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (13)
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US must know after seven long years, the roots of terrorism are in terrorist training camps in North-western Pakistan. One wonders, when will US act against these roots? They must also know the whereabouts of Taleban and Al Quida terrorists hidden by Pakistan somewhere in their Norther-western tribal areas. Why doesn't US & NATO forces make a determined effort to clean these areas?
Posted by: Mohinder Bains | Jan 17, 2009 11:35:27 AM
Jake, my Man! Why don't you craft a doofy acronym for VP-elect Joe Biden? It would probably be VPEJB.
Posted by: w_roos | Jan 8, 2009 10:24:43 PM
Senator Biden (Elect Vice-President) has the knowledge and experience on the Foreign Relations Committee as Chair to aid in communications with Pakistan leaders as well as bring fresh and new methods to resolve the conflict in the Middle East. The press needs to give the new elected leaders time to adjust and move in a positive method and correct what this nation has gone through in the recent years -- change simply needs newness in action, shall we as a nation be patient and still to allow this to happen.
Posted by: Patty Hinchey | Jan 8, 2009 12:15:59 PM
We hope to see these trips translate into sustainable peace in the Middle East, and near-zero political tension between India and Pakistan. I wish the in-coming Obama-Biden Administation and all the Global political players the very best in an ever-increasing complex world.
Posted by: Onwuka Akuma | Jan 8, 2009 4:52:20 AM
Biden and the others are not going to the Middle East. Afghanistan and Pakistan are part of South Asia.
Posted by: nycgal | Jan 8, 2009 2:08:16 AM
Can a dual-citizen be a natural-born citizen of the U.S?
JFK starts SoS confirmation hearing next Tuesday. How much time will he be able to spend in these countries?
Posted by: Naturalborncitizen | Jan 7, 2009 10:22:45 PM
Posters need to start thinking and doing more homework. I've just read up on Biden, Hagel, and Kerry's trips to the middle east and I'm impressed. Biden and the others, but mostly Biden, have extensive foreign policy experience and are highly respected by leaders from other countries (Biden is one of the few Senators to visit Darfur for ex.) Snide remarks about this great statesman fall on deaf ears of those who actually know and care what goes on in the middle east and abroad in general. It's about time Obama uses Biden for this effort. BTW...I've heard what foreigh leaders say about Bush and Biden, I will only state that they hold Mr. Biden in high regard. Safe journey Joe and the rest. I'm proud of you.
Posted by: Stewart | Jan 6, 2009 1:09:59 PM
"I think he will miss being able to go check things out for himself like he always has done as a senator. "
No worries. Apparently he can go to a movie theatre and his own constituents dont recognize him.
Posted by: BertieW | Jan 6, 2009 12:42:07 PM
Well...if Purple Heart Kerry goes, Joe will have someone to hide behind when the shoes start flying!!
Posted by: commrat72 | Jan 6, 2009 12:30:56 PM
I don't suppose Joe Biden will be able to make these trips when he becomes VP due to extra security concerns. I think he will miss being able to go check things out for himself like he always has done as a senator.
Posted by: Donna Hughes | Jan 6, 2009 11:23:02 AM
Maybe Biden has held onto his senate seat so he could participate in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. I find Singh's quote inflammatory. Unfortunately, terrorism has been cultivated into precision and sophistication. Furthermore, Zardari was highly cooperative with the the investigation, and being the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated by terrorists, would have a strong personal stake in eliminating terrorism in Pakistan.
Posted by: kat | Jan 6, 2009 10:46:01 AM
It is not Bush's fault.
Posted by: NC voter | Jan 6, 2009 10:04:03 AM
"Also traveling will be Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass"
Biden and Kerry are going. Obama must be softening Pakistan up with a gas attack before his planned invasion.
But seriously it is probably a good idea to give these guys face time and get some face to face commitments before little skirmishes break out.
Posted by: BertieW | Jan 6, 2009 9:58:37 AM
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