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US troops to leave Pakistan in March next year: ambassador

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Dec 25, IRNA
Pakistan-US Forces
American troops will leave Pakistan's earthquake-hit areas in March next year, US Ambassador Ryan C Crocker was quoted as saying on Sunday.

According to US embassy there are over 1,000 American personnel in Pakistan to 'assist with relief efforts'.

The US ambassador announced the withdrawal of the soldiers during his visit to the earthquake hit areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and North West Frontier Province, private Geo television reported.

The television quoted the ambassador as saying that he has discussed the issue with the country's relief commissioner and the understanding is that the soldiers will leave Pakistan by the end of March 2006.

However, the ambassador said that the US forces can stay if a request is made and if they are needed here.

Geo television reported that Crocker visited US soldiers in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir and Shinkiari, a town in North West Frontier Province, and exchanged Christmas greetings with them.

A US Army Mobile Army Surgical Hospital operating in Muzaffarabad and a US Combined Medical Relief Team operating in Shinkiari have provided urgent medical care to over 9,000 injured people.

Pakistan has played a key role against terrorism and there is a need to help the country in difficult time, the television quoted him as telling the soldiers.

The US says it has pledged a total of dlrs 510 million in earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts to assist the people of Pakistan and to support Pakistani government relief efforts.

This total includes dlrs 300 million in humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance, dlrs 110 million in military support for relief operations, and at least dlrs 100 million anticipated from US private contributions.

NATO, which has also some 1,000 military engineers, medics and other troops will leave next month after completing their three month mission.

The NATO forces are deployed in the city of Bagh in Kashmir.

2020/235/2322/1412