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WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD: The US and Pakistani officials are continuing talks on the future US military mission in Pakistan but Washington likely will see its influence on Pakistani special forces curtailed as tensions rage between the two nations.
A US official said both countries had been discussing an agreement that would authorize between 100 and 150 US military personnel to be stationed in Pakistan, fewer than have been there in the recent past.
“That's what they're driving toward,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
The nature and size of the US military presence in Pakistan remains in doubt, like the overall relationship, after the top US military officer drew links last week between Pakistan's intelligence agency and a violent militant group blamed for attacks on American targets in Afghanistan.
EQUIPMENT RELATED In the past, there had been some 200 to 300 US military personnel stationed in Pakistan, many of them training Pakistan special forces to confront militants, as part of Washington's Office of the Defence Representative-Pakistan.
But Islamabad, furious over the US special forces raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in May, without Pakistani knowledge, sharply reduced the size of the mission this spring.
The US military declined to disclose how many US personnel are now in Pakistan.
A Pakistani military official acknowledged that negotiations are ongoing, but declined to say how many US personnel would be authorized.
“We will convey what is required, but it will be primarily equipment related,” the Pakistani official said on condition of anonymity.
Another US official said most of the US staff expected to be permitted, once a deal was finalised, would be military liaison personnel, mechanics, engineers and others who help Pakistan maintain and operate military equipment rather than special forces trainers.
