Page 2 - ARUBA TODAY

A2 UP FRONT
Tuesday 25 april 2017
Pence cites ‘challenging times’ to troops in American Samoa

KEN THOMAS North Korea a stern warn-
Associated Press ing from the U.S.: that “all
PAGO PAGO, American options are on the table”
Samoa (AP) — U.S. Vice when it comes to curbing
President Mike Pence has the North’s nuclear ambi-
thanked American service tions, and that the Trump
members based in Ameri- administration will seek sup-
can Samoa, citing “chal- port from its allies to pres-
lenging times” for the mili- sure Pyongyang to give up
tary in the Asia-Pacific. its nuclear weapons and
Completing a visit to the ballistic missile programs.
region and en route back His foray into the DMZ and
to the United States, Pence his meetings with South Ko-
addressed some 200 sol- rean and Japanese leaders
diers during a refueling stop
in Pago Pago. He told the allowed Pence to shape a
troops the Trump adminis- key American foreign poli-
tration was seeking a large cy issue, presenting a new
increase in military funding. challenge for a politician
During his stop, Pence also whose prior foreign policy
dedicated a sign that will experience was limited to
greet visitors at a veterans trips to the Middle East as
clinic. a congressman and trade
He met with American Sa- U.S. Vice President Mike Pence makes remarks after attending a business listening session with missions to Japan, China,
moan officials and troops Australian and U.S. companies in Sydney. Pence has thanked American service members based Israel and Europe as Indi-
and then flew to Hawaii at in American Samoa, citing “challenging times” for the military in the Asia-Pacific. ana’s governor.
the last stop on a tour that (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Pence’s early foreign travel
included a visit to the De- allies still wondering what ton in what promises to be troops stationed in Hono- schedule contrasts sharply
militarized Zone separating to expect from Trump and a very busy week for the lulu. Plans for a Tuesday visit with a mostly homebound
North and South Korea. diving into international cri- administration and Con- to the USS Arizona in Pearl Trump, who is not sched-
The trip offered evidence ses like North Korea. gress. Harbor have been post- uled to travel overseas until
that Pence has become Meanwhile, it was revealed Pence’s office said he poned, Pence’s office said. late May for NATO meet-
one of President Donald that the vice president was would depart Hawaii on Pence’s trip to Asia was ings in Belgium and a gath-
Trump’s chief emissaries shortening his stay in Hawaii Monday afternoon after planned weeks ago. But it ering of the Group of Seven
on the world stage, patch- to a few hours so that he meeting with U.S. Pacific dropped him in South Ko- major industrial nations in
ing up relations, reassuring could fly back to Washing- Command leaders and rea just in time to deliver Italy. q
US general in Afghanistan suggests Russia arming the Taliban

ROBERT BURNS moted easing global sanc-
AP National Security Writer tions on Taliban leaders
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) who prove cooperative.
— The United States must Asked about Russia’s activ-
confront Russia for provid- ity in Afghanistan, where it
ing weapons to the Taliban fought a bloody war in the
for use against American- 1980s and withdrew in de-
backed forces in Afghani- feat, Mattis alluded to the
stan, top U.S. military offi- increasing U.S. concerns.
cials said Monday. “We’ll engage with Russia
At a news conference with diplomatically,” Mattis said.
Defense Secretary Jim Mat- “We’ll do so where we can,
tis at his side, Gen. John but we’re going to have to
Nicholson, the American confront Russia where what
commander in Afghani- they’re doing is contrary to
stan, wouldn’t provide spe- international law or deny-
cifics about Russia’s role in ing the sovereignty of other
Afghanistan. But said he countries.”
would “not refute” that “For example,” Mattis told
Moscow’s involvement in- reporters in the Afghan
cludes giving weapons to capital, “any weapons be-
the Taliban. ing funneled here from a
Earlier Monday, a senior foreign country would be
U.S. military official told re- U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis, center, and U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander a violation of international
porters in Kabul that Russia of U.S. Forces Afghanistan, second left, meet with Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Secu- law.”
was giving machine guns rity Director Mohammad Masoom Stanekzai, right, and other members of the Afghan delegation Mattis met with President
at Resolute Support headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan in Kabul, Afghanistan Monday, April 24,
and other medium-weight 2017. Mattis arrived unannounced in Afghanistan to assess America’s longest war as the Trump Ashraf Ghani and other
weapons. The Taliban administration weighs sending more U.S. troops. senior government officials
are using the weapons in (Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP) just hours after the nation’s
the southern provinces of formation on condition of Afghanistan until the U.S.- religious fundamentalists to defense minister and Army
Helmand, Kandahar and anonymity. led invasion in 2001. Russia reconcile with the govern- chief resigned over a mas-
Uruzgan, according to the Russia denies that it pro- says contacts are limited ment — which Washington sacre of more than 140 Af-
official, who briefed jour- vides any such support to to safeguarding security has failed for years to ad- ghan troops at a military
nalists on intelligence in- the Taliban, which ruled and getting the hard-line vance. Russia also has pro- base last Friday.q