Petraeus went to Pakistan to discuss the war. Pakistani officials gave Petraeus an earful about US Predator missile strikes that destroy "precious lives and property". Petraeus replied that the US Predator missile strikes target top terrorist leaders.
The Pakistanis can look forward to more of this...
Update: This morning a Predator drone killed up to 13 terrorists in North Waziristan. Can't think of a more blunt answer.
The Post
BAGRAM AIR BASE: US Central Command Commander Gen David H Petraeus has said that the US missile strikes on the tribal areas in recent months have killed three of the top 20 extremist leaders there, causing a blow to insurgents threatening Pakistan's very existence.
Talking to a news agency, Gen Petraeus said controversial airstrikes launched into the tribal areas in the last three months were a topic of conversation with every Pakistani leader he met this week. The Pakistani leaders have criticized the missile strikes as a violation of their sovereignty. "Certainly there does have to be a better explanation of the blows that have been struck in recent weeks and months," he said in an interview. "It is hugely important that three of 20 extremist leaders have been killed in recent months," he said, but did not identify the extremist leaders he said died in the US strikes. There have been more than 17 reported airstrikes since August on the tribal areas. The government has complained bitterly about the cross-border missile strikes, and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani warned the next US president must halt the attacks or risk losing the war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
The prime minister said the US should share intelligence with his country's military to allow Pakistan to go after militants themselves. Washington says the tribal areas are believed to be home to many of top Al Qaeda leaders, including Osama bin Laden, and they may be planning another big attack on the West.
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