1 of 4 | Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen (R) discuss policy with the media during a news conference at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on May 18, 2011. UPI/Roger L. Wollenberg |
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WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- Someone, although not a top leader, within the Pakistani government knew Osama bin Laden was hiding in-country, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said.
"I have seen no evidence at all that the [Pakistani] senior leadership knew" of the al-Qaida leader's location before U.S. forces raided a compound in Abbottabad and killed bin Laden, Gates said Wednesday during a news conference. "In fact, I've seen some evidence to the contrary … and we have no evidence yet with respect to anybody else. My supposition is, somebody knew."
Adm. Michael Mullen, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said during the joint news conference, "I have seen no evidence that the top leadership knows."
Both military leaders said the United States still must work with Pakistan as well as provide aid, despite anger expressed in Pakistan and on Capitol Hill.
"Clearly, we've had challenges with respect to the long- term strategic partnership. I've gone into this with my eyes wide open," Mullen said. "I think the region continues to be critical and our relationship continues to be critical."
Gates also repeated his concerns about too many people discussing the operation out of turn. In recent comments at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Gates said an agreement was reached after a White House briefing that operational details wouldn't be discussed.
Noting he didn't "single anybody out" in his comments, Gates said Wednesday, "My concern is that there were too many people in too many places talking too much about this operation."
He said he was concerned "because we want to retain the capability to carry out these kinds of operations in the future. And when so much detail is available, it makes that both more difficult and riskier."
Based on his supposition that someone in the Pakistani government knew bin Laden's whereabouts, a reporter asked whether Pakistan should pay some price.
"If I were in Pakistani shoes, I would say I've already paid a price. I've been humiliated. I've been shown that the Americans can come in here and do this with impunity," Gates said. "And I think we have to recognize that they see a cost in that and a price that has been paid."
