ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's government has told the United States to halve the number of military trainers it has stationed in the country, the latest sign of spiralling distrust between the two allies since the killing of Osama bin Laden.
Pakistan informed the United States in the last week or two that it would not need some US special forces trainers advising the Pakistani military, the Pentagon said. Pakistani security officials said the decision came three days after the al Qaeda leader's death.
"We don't need unnecessary people here. They cause problems for us instead of being helpful," said a Pakistani security official, who asked to remain anonymous. He said the withdrawal might start by early June.
Pentagon spokesman Colonel Dave Lapan said there had been "no real change" to the small US military training mission in Pakistan, where a team of US Navy SEALS launched the top-secret May 2 raid that killed the al Qaeda leader.
The number of trainers currently in Pakistan was not disclosed but Lapan said the entire military mission has ranged between 200 and 300 people.
Other Pakistani and US military sources in Pakistan said the special forces training component formerly numbered around 120 and would be drawn down to less than 50.
Other US troops are involved in helicopter maintenance, liaising with the Pakistani military and aid efforts. It is unclear if they will also be withdrawn.
Copyright Reuters, 2011
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