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Latest update: 29/09/2011
- diplomacy - insurgency - Pakistan - USA
Pakistan warns against US military action targeting insurgents
A diplomatic war of words heated up Thursday after Pakistan’s chief of intelligence, Ahmed Shuja Pasha, said that any US military action against insurgents within its borders was unacceptable and could warrant an armed response.
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - U.S. military action against insurgents in Pakistan would be unacceptable and the country’s army would be capable of responding, intelligence chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha told a meeting of political leaders in Islamabad, according to media reports.
Express News TV cited Pasha as saying an “American attack on Pakistan in the name of (fighting) extremism is not acceptable”.
However, several television news reports said Pasha had also told an all-party meeting to discuss the crisis in ties between Washington and Islamabad that Pakistan would not allow the situation to get to a “point of no return”.
Pakistan has long faced U.S. demands to attack militants on its side of the border with Afghanistan.
But the pressure has escalated since the top U.S. military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, accused Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI last week of supporting an attack by the militant Haqqani network on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Mullen, speaking in an interview aired on Thursday, said the ISI was giving the Haqqani group, whose violent attacks threaten to become a major obstacle to U.S. hopes for withdrawing smoothly from Afghanistan, financial and logistical support and “sort of free passage in the (border) safe haven.”
“They can’t turn it off overnight. I’m not asserting that the Pak mil or the ISI has complete control over the Haqqanis. But the Haqqanis run that safe haven. They’re also a home to al Qaeda in that safe haven,” he told National Public Radio.
Mullen, who steps down this week, said he stood by the tone and content of his comments, from which some U.S. officials have appeared to distance themselves.
“I phrased it the way I wanted it to be phrased,” he said.
Pakistani lives lost
Support is growing in the U.S. Congress for expanding American military action in Pakistan beyond drone strikes against militants, said Senator Lindsey Graham, an influential Republican voice on foreign policy and military affairs.
Islamabad is reluctant to go after the Haqqanis—even though the United States provides billions of dollars in aid—saying its troops are stretched fighting Taliban insurgents.
Pakistan says it has sacrificed more lives than any of the countries that joined the “war on terror” after the Sept. 11 attacks by Islamist militants on the United States in 2001.
Pakistan’s military faced withering public criticism after a surprise U.S. raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a garrison town not far from Islamabad in May.
A similar U.S. operation against militants in North Waziristan on the Afghan border, where American officials say the Haqqanis are based, would be another humiliation for the powerful army.
Graham said in an interview with Reuters that U.S. lawmakers might support military options beyond drone strikes that have been going on for years inside Pakistani territory.
Those options may include using U.S. bomber planes within Pakistan, said, adding that he did not advocate sending U.S. ground troops into the country.
“I would say when it comes to defending American troops, you don’t want to limit yourself,” Graham said. “This is not a boots-on-the-ground engagement—I’m not talking about that, but we have a lot of assets beyond drones.”
Graham said U.S. lawmakers would think about stepping up the military pressure. “If people believe it’s gotten to the point that is the only way really to protect our interests, I think there would be a lot of support,” he said.
Reviewing aid
Pakistan was designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States for its support of coalition military operations in Afghanistan after 9/11.
But their relationship has been dogged by mistrust. Although regarded as critical to U.S. efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, Pakistan is often seen from Washington as an unreliable partner.
Following U.S. accusations that some in the Pakistani government have aided anti-U.S. militants, Congress is reevaluating its 2009 promise to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to a total of $7.5 billion over five years.
That aid came on top of billions in security assistance provided since 2001, which Washington is also rethinking.
Any unilateral U.S. military action to go after the Haqqanis would deepen anti-American sentiment in Pakistan, which is already running high over U.S. drone strikes and other issues, reducing the space for the government and army to collaborate with Washington.
The Haqqani network is allied with Afghanistan’s Taliban and is believed to have close links to al Qaeda. It fights U.S. and NATO forces in eastern Afghanistan. The group’s leader says it is no longer based in North Waziristan and feels secure operating in Afghanistan after making battlefield gains.
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Comments (1)
Pakistan is front line state for USA interset in Afganistan
The victim of Afghanistan war zone since 1980 when USSR occupied only Pakistan. in matter of supply ,war, zone millions Afghans refugee accommodated by Pakistan not any other country in south Asia ,even now Afghans third generation grow up they don't want to go back their home land. Pakistan also have it’s own population issue and being poor country and always tension on its border with Indian army India (Kashmir issue) was major ally to USSR IN Afghanistan. Pakistan lost their every thing due to support in Afghanistan and USA interest too. Pay heavy cost, no one country in the world did such long time and in such a manner except the Aid which USA providing but it not cover prices as compare to loses to nation.
Daily 200 and 400 Nato supply trucks from Karachi port to Afghanistan.
All this happen with Pakistan what you call Al-Qaeda, Taliban ,terrorism, USA and Pakistan only country fight with in Afghanistan against USSR. Not India , no china ,no IRAN .. for years that war games goes on and on than USSR defeated and broken in parts.. that is fact ..
Now if Pakistan not go help Afghanistan and fight together with USA against communists. Pakistan will be more better situation and more developed country.
Before 1980 Pakistan growing economy country, in 1970 Pakistan growth rate higher than Korea and Malaysia. Major European companies investment share holder in market.
Due to Afghanistan issue and security situation step by step goes worst Pakistan goes decline’s.US done his task and happy go back no more interest in Pakistan. chine’s take advantages now if we look in all sector major China companies operating for money, as Pakistan also welcome chine’s because they not have any other option.
Giving free transit trade to Afghanistan more than 30 years no tax. So If we all have a look history and whole matter in realistic approach for accepting right efforts and not just some media head lines news and pointing figures .
India establish their spy agency centers not to support in Afghanistan ,their own agenda to destabilize Pakistan. where were the Indian when USSR 1980 ..
so every one in Afghanistan playing Double game.. Pakistan have serious energy crisis, no one helping it,
so simply by my point of view is that double game playing every one like USA granted Indian Nuclear big deal for his future energy needs.. India responded to cancel Gas pipeline deal with Iran -Pakistan.. But Pakistan have no option so solely sign gas pipeline with Iran but due to USA pressure project still pending from Pakistan side.. Pakistan suffers major issue only due to other countries interest and paying heavy cost fighting against terrorism. USA almost given if I am NOT WRONG 20 billion $ but Pakistan lost more than 70 billion lost ,,damages ,,suicide blasting,, terror attacks ..
Simply Pakistan as front line state need to get out from Afghanistan war and world fight against terrorism too. Because every one point Pakistan Pakistan double game .. so no need to play any game just pay attention to his own issue energy ,development, growth and peace in his own land. Sealed all borders Afghanistan ,Iran and India too. send back all Afghanistan refugees to their own country as billion Afghanistan in Pakistan also major reason for terror attacks and major source to recruit by international different spy agencies and Militants groups too. Funding from India , middle east to these group to conduct terror attacks inside Pakistan.
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