WASHINGTON, July 23: The US military has offered to provide air support and “supporting fires” for Pakistani military operations against Al Qaeda but it has been rebuffed in the past, US defence officials said on Monday.

General Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, disclosed the offer of US military and intelligence assistance on Friday at a meeting in Schweinfurt, Germany with family members of US troops.

Gen Pace’s comments were first reported by a CNN correspondent travelling with the general. Defence officials on Monday confirmed his remarks but said the offer was not new, but rather of a longstanding character.

A defence official who was present at the meeting in Germany said Gen Pace talked about US military and intelligence assistance to Pakistan in the context of a long relationship with President Pervez Musharraf.

“He did say ‘kinetic’. He also said ‘intel sharing’,” said the official, referring to notes. The official said that when asked later what he meant by “kinetic,” Gen Pace said, “Air support, supporting fires. If he were to ask, we would see how we might be able to help. I’m not predicting anything.” Gen Pace said the offer did not include US ground troops.

The official said Gen Pace insisted it was not a new offer, but “part of an ongoing dialogue”. The Pakistanis have not taken up the offer in the past, the official said.

Nevertheless, it comes amid intensifying US pressure on Gen Musharraf to take military action against ‘Al Qaeda safe havens’ in the tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan.—AFP