Our friends the Pakistanis

[purple unicorn]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/la/?id=110007255

BOOKSHELF

Our Friends the Pakistanis
A new book looks at the history of the Afghan jihad.

BY MASOOD FARIVAR
Wednesday, September 14, 2005 12:01 a.m. EDT

It was a scene straight out of a John le Carré novel, the kind of cloak-and-dagger rendezvous that CIA spooks can only fantasize about. The time: November 2004. The place: a compound deep inside the Old City of Peshawar, on Pakistan's rugged northwest frontier. The participants: Karim, a 30-something former Afghan mujahideen fighter; Mohammed Hakim, a slightly younger, bearded representative of a Taliban splinter group holding three United Nations workers hostage in Afghanistan; and Kathy Gannon, a correspondent for Associated Press.

Hakim explained to Ms. Gannon the purpose of the abduction: to "put an end to the boasting of the Afghan government, the United Nations and the U.S. administration about the uneventful presidential election" in Afghanistan that had taken place only a month before, the one that had elected Hamid Karzai president.

The group, even more militant in its opposition to Mr. Karzai and his pro-Western government than erstwhile Taliban leader Mullah Omar, was divided over whether to kill the hostages. Karim claimed to sympathize with their plight and to understand that the abduction wasn't winning the Taliban any friends. Still, he said that he had little choice. It was a surreal meeting in many ways, but what made it especially remarkable to Ms. Gannon was how relaxed Hakim seemed. A well-known Taliban terrorist, he was supposedly a wanted man in Pakistan. Why did he seem so nonchalant? Soon enough the reason became clear.

Karim abruptly ended the conversation and headed out to his waiting car. Ms. Gannon caught a glimpse of the license plate--it started with the number 83. From her years of experience she had learned that, in Pakistan, such a number belongs only to plates that have been issued by the ISI, Pakistan's military intelligence service. This numeric talisman confirmed what she had long suspected: that three years after Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, had made an about-face and ditched the Taliban under U.S. pressure, his military intelligence service was still offering support to Islamist groups, including a resurgent Taliban.





Well before we come across this anecdote in "I Is for Infidel," we have grown accustomed to Ms. Gannon's enterprising instincts and, not least, her eye for the telling detail. Her closely observed chronicle of Afghanistan's descent into chaos, and its attempts to rebound, is full of vivid incident and astute analysis. She conveys with particular skill the Afghans' sense of despair as the world abandoned them and their country slid into anarchy, only to be taken over by the Taliban and al Qaeda.
For causing this tragedy Ms. Gannon takes everyone to task: the former anti-Soviet mujahideen for turning their country into a killing field and for committing unspeakable crimes; the U.N. for ignoring the Taliban's gruesome rule in the forlorn hope that to do so would promote peace; and the U.S. for failing to court moderate Taliban members and later for sacrificing Afghanistan's security for the sake of prosecuting the war in Iraq. But she saves her sharpest indictment for Pakistan's military and intelligence service. She argues that it has been in cahoots with terrorist groups for decades, groups driven by a "jihad ideology" according to which Islam justifies all kinds of violence.

The military's omnipresence in Pakistani life, Ms. Gannon notes, is in part a legacy of British rule, under which Hindus dominated the civilian bureaucracy and Muslims the military. When the British left, a feudal ruling class arose. Its members included, alongside major landowners, military men with a strong religious sense of mission and no interest in establishing democratic institutions. As one Pakistani general tells Ms. Gannon: "Jihad has always been a motivating concept for our troops from day one." The concept motivated Pakistan's military all the more forcefully, in the decades after independence, with each of Pakistan's humiliating defeats at the hands of India.





Of course, religion is only part of the story. For as long as it has existed, Pakistan has seen Afghanistan as a source of "strategic depth" in its conflict with India. To that end it has backed pro-Pakistan groups in Afghanistan, groups that are often pro-Islamist. Whether Pakistan has been led by the secular Zulfikar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s or by the fundamentalist Zia ul-Haq in the 1980s or by the pro-Western Gen. Musharraf in recent years, the policy has remained the same.
But it took a toxic turn with the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which allowed the Pakistani military to turn what started off as a national war of liberation into a holy war that it would serve in whatever way it could. The Taliban, founded as a populist movement to end Afghanistan's anarchy following the Soviets' withdrawal, became a pawn in this game. The ISI, with generous U.S. funding, played a crucial role throughout: It decided which of its favorite Afghan Islamist groups was to receive weapons, and it created a curriculum to teach a generation of Afghan refugee boys that "I is for infidel" and "J is for jihad."

"In hindsight," writes Ms. Gannon, "it was a mistake [for the West] to support Zia and his Islamic fervor, which gave rise to extremist militants." It was also a mistake to support Gen. Musharraf, whose military "is strangling Pakistan's civil society and protecting the religious right." So compelling is Ms. Gannon's case that by the end of the book, when she asserts almost in passing that Osama bin Laden may well be under the protection of the Pakistani military, it is easy to believe her.

It is all a cautionary tale about alliances of convenience. But will anyone listen? "Afghanistan's tragedy," Ms. Gannon observes in her epilogue, "is that to the world's powers, it has never really mattered--or mattered for long."

Mr. Farivar is a reporter for Dow Jones Newswires. You can buy "I Is for Infidel" from the OpinionJournal bookstore.

[candypreet]

good post. :) :)

[purple unicorn]

You're welcome, Candypreet!

[Firecat]

three years after Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, had made an about-face and ditched the Taliban under U.S. pressure, his military intelligence service was still offering support to Islamist groups, including a resurgent Taliban.

This guy Musharraf is the next Saddam/bin Laden. Only he's got his finger on the button.

America better wake up about what despotic regimes we're going to prop up... and fast.

[candypreet]

This guy Musharraf is the next Saddam/bin Laden. Only he's got his finger on the button.

America better wake up about what despotic regimes we're going to prop up... and fast.

bumpity bump:) :)

[candypreet]

Friday, March 03, 2006

‘US policies adding to violence in Pakistan’

Staff Report

LAHORE: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairpserson Asma Jehangir said in a statement on Thursday that although HRCP understood state to state relations and courtesy for a guest, it couldn’t ignore the fact that President George W Bush had a great deal to answer for.

‘US policies were undermining human rights and were contributing to the rise in violence in Pakistan and other Muslim countries’, Asma said. She criticised the war on terror and said ‘Support for autocratic regime in Pakistan only added to the hardships of the people as they continue their quest for democracy.”

Asma condemned the Karachi bombing and loss of human lives and said HRCP was opposed to all types of militancy and acts of aggression. ‘The greater concern is the treatment meted out to the Pakistani and other prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay and other detention centres’, the statement said, adding that some of the prisoners were captured from battle fields and others whisked away without due judicial process.

The HRCP Chairperson hoped that Pakistan’s transition into a democratic, peaceful and tolerant society would facilitate the building of Pak-US relations on the firmer foundation of respect for the rights of all members of the human family.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\03\03\story_3-3-2006_pg7_26

[candypreet]

Pakistan seeks French civilian nuclear cooperation



Pakistan on Friday sought civilian nuclear cooperation from France, which concluded a civilian nuclear agreement with India in February this year.

Pakistan made the call in a meeting with a visiting four-member delegation of the French Senate commission for foreign affairs, defense and armed forces, headed by Jean Francois-Poncet, former foreign minister. The French delegation called on Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri in the foreign office.

In a statement at the end of the meeting, the foreign office said, "The foreign minister also briefed Francois-Poncet about Pakistan's growing energy requirements in view of its rapid economic development and stressed the need for a non- discriminatory approach by all Nuclear Suppliers Group members including France towards cooperation with Pakistan in the civilian nuclear sector."

A wide range of bilateral issues were discussed with a view to enhancing cooperation in different areas and the Pakistani foreign minister briefed the French delegation on Pakistan's role as an anchor of peace and stability in the region, it said.

Francois-Poncet, appreciating Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's vision of Enlightened Moderation, commended Pakistan's role in promoting peace and stability and rooting out extremism from its society, the statement said.

He also appreciated Pakistan's impressive economic development and stated that Pakistan was playing a credible role in regional peace, security and development, it said.

He maintained that Pakistan can be a bridge between the West and the Muslim world to create better understanding and cooperation between the two, according to the statement.

Source: Xinhua

[candypreet]

a small bump

[rectar]

Pakistan rebel death sparks riots

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42019000/jpg/_42019218_bugtiap203story.jpg Nawab Bugti wanted autonomy for Balochistan

Security has been stepped up in south-west Pakistan's Balochistan province following the death of veteran rebel tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti.
A curfew was imposed in the provincial capital, Quetta, after hundreds of students rioted at news of the killing.
Nawab Akbar Bugti, 79, was killed in a gun battle near his mountain cave hideout, officials said.
He was a key figure in the struggle for greater political autonomy and share of Balochistan's gas and mineral wealth.
His death represents a major victory for the government in its campaign to undermine rebels in Balochistan, the BBC's Dan Isaacs in Pakistan says.
Heavy fighting
As news of his death spread, several hundred students from the state-run Balochistan university took to the streets in protest.
Police had to fire into the air to disperse the rioters who attacked and set fire to cars and smashed windows.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/inline_dashed_line.gif

Battle over Balochistan (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/5289910.stm)


Army troops have moved in and are taking positions to enforce a curfew imposed at 0600 (0100 GMT), senior police official Zahid Afaq said.
"At the moment, the curfew is only in Quetta but if there is any law and order situation elsewhere, it will be imposed there too," he was quoted by Reuters news agency as saying.
The battle between tribal militants and government forces reportedly took place near the town of Dera Bugti.
At least 24 militants and a similar number of soldiers died in the fighting, officials say.
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gifHAVE YOUR SAY
Bugti's demise will lead to heightened instability in the region


Faisal, Lahore

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/img/v3/inline_dashed_line.gif

Send us your comments (http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3473&edition=2&ttl=20060827104336)

Pakistani ground forces backed up by helicopter gunships are said to have swooped on a cave complex on the border of Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts on Friday. Heavy fighting followed.
Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani confirmed to Reuters news agency that Nawab Akbar Bugti had been killed, although there is no official confirmation that the rebel leader's body has been found.
Long-running clashes
Balochistan is Pakistan's biggest province, and is said to be the richest in mineral resources. It is a major supplier of natural gas to the country.
But for decades, Baloch nationalists have accused the central government in Islamabad of depriving the province of its due.


Nawab Akbar Bugti - known to many as the Tiger of Balochistan - played a major role in the politics of the province for more than five decades, the BBC's Steve Jackson writes.
Sometimes he pursued his nationalist agenda from positions of authority and sometimes as a rebel leader.
He was involved in earlier failed insurgencies in the 1950s, '60s and '70s but he also served in the federal government and was on occasion governor and chief minister of Balochistan.
The latest fighting between government forces and Mr Bugti's followers began after attacks by separatists on the gas infrastructure in the region.
In one of his last interviews - with the BBC's Urdu Service in July this year - Mr Bugti was asked why a peace deal between his tribes and the government had not been implemented.
"They say that I am intransigent, I don't listen to them, I don't bow before them," he said.
"They say that I should bow before them and salute them, and give up my weapons, and then everything will be all right."
His vision for Balochistan has never been achieved but the insurgency he led has been one of the biggest headaches for President Pervez Musharraf in recent years, our reporter writes. The main question now is whether or not his death will provoke more violence from the separatists, he adds.

[zerocool2006]

I like the post... visit http://sevillanovillegas.4t.com

[candypreet]

Pakistan frees 10 local Taliban militants

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/menu-234/0608260423232434.htm


Islamabad, Aug 26, IRNA
Pakistan-Taliban
Authorities in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region on Saturday released 10 local Taliban militants, who had been arrested for attacking on security forces, a tribal elder said.

The freed Taliban were handed over to a 5-member delegation of tribal elders at a fort of security forces in Miranshah, the headquarters of North Waziristan, head of the delegation Malik Nasrullah Khan said.

The authorities freed the Taliban one day after the militants announced two-week extension in their ceasefire.

The freed militants were among those arrested in recent months on the charges of attacking security forces in North Waziristan.

The militants had announced a month cease-fire with Pakistan's military on June 29, which was further extended for another month in July.

The ceasefire paved the way for dialogue between the militants and the government through a tribal jirga, or council of elders.

Taliban want release of all their men, removal of roadside army check posts and compensation for families who have lost relatives during army operations.

Malik Nasrullah, tribal Chief of North Waziristan, said that a written agreement between the militants and the government is likely to be signed in a week.

The Taliban want withdrawal of army from the urban areas in the tribal region and restoration of all privileges to tribal elders as well as compensation for those whose buildings were destroyed during the operations.

The government wants the militants force foreign al-Qaeda suspects surrender or leave the area.

The government believes that some foreign al-Qaeda suspects are still hiding in the region. They had fled Afghanistan after the U.S launched operation in late 2001.

Pakistan says it has deployed some 80,000 troops in the tribal region near Afghan border since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States to stop militants from crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[SmokedYourDSM]

Remember folks, Pakistan is our #1 ally in the War on Terror.

;)

[sidthereal]

The death of the Baloch leader is a big blow to the Indian intelligence involvement in Pakistan. I'l openly say it. Balochistan is being supported by India.

[keith]

The death of the Baloch leader is a big blow to the Indian intelligence involvement in Pakistan. I'l openly say it. Balochistan is being supported by India.

I can believe that. Pakistani support for Kashmiri rebals would probably lead the Indians to assist anyone fighting the Paks. Kinda reminds you of the "Good Ol' Days" of the US/USSR proxy fights.

[sidthereal]

Pakistani support to Kashmir, was boosted when India helped liberate Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was liberated in 1975 and by 1980's the punjab militancy was starting to move on the decline. 1985 onwards, focus shifted to Kashmir.

[sidthereal]

I think this thread was older.

[candypreet]

welcome back sid

[sidthereal]

Hi Cp. A welcome back to you too.
Now lets get some reality posting back in business.

[candypreet]

Hi Cp. A welcome back to you too.
Now lets get some reality posting back in business.
yes lets do that. Actually Bman and I have been posting about terroristan for such a long time and it seems no one else cared

[sidthereal]

yes lets do that. Actually Bman and I have been posting about terroristan for such a long time and it seems no one else cared
We need to address the audience that matters. The Right wing nuts :D

[candypreet]

:)
We need to address the audience that matters. The Right wing nuts :D
so lets do it,:) :)

[Bman]

We need to address the audience that matters. The Right wing nuts :D


The Right Wing folks will never go against Bush... even when he's supporting terrorist nations like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the UAE

You might as well save your breath. As long as Bush and his closest supporters have money to make in supporting those three nations, they will continue to do so.. and it doesn't matter how many terrorists or how much destruction occurs as a result.


its important to keep posting articles, however, so that the rest of the folks... those of us not bound by a blood loyalty to Bush, can realize who the TRUE patrons of terrorism are.

[candypreet]

The Right Wing folks will never go against Bush... even when he's supporting terrorist nations like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the UAE

You might as well save your breath. As long as Bush and his closest supporters have money to make in supporting those three nations, they will continue to do so.. and it doesn't matter how many terrorists or how much destruction occurs as a result.


its important to keep posting articles, however, so that the rest of the folks... those of us not bound by a blood loyalty to Bush, can realize who the TRUE patrons of terrorism are.
yezs I suppose so

[rabzon]

Pakistani support to Kashmir, was boosted when India helped liberate Bangladesh.
Bangladesh was liberated in 1975 and by 1980's the punjab militancy was starting to move on the decline. 1985 onwards, focus shifted to Kashmir.
dear sid, it was 1971.

[sidthereal]

dear sid, it was 1971.
Sorry, it was 1971. I keep confusing wars of '71 and '75

[candypreet]

Pakistan's Separate Peace
President Musharraf strikes a deal that may spare himself and his troops, at the likely expense of Americans.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/12/AR2006091201691.html

Wednesday, September 13, 2006; Page A16


SECRETARY OF Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld didn't say who he was thinking of when he warned in a controversial speech last month about people who think that "countries can negotiate a separate peace with terrorists." In fact the most obvious candidate is that enduring favorite of the Bush administration, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Mr. Musharraf, whose country has been the main base for leaders of both al-Qaeda and the Taliban since 2002, last week concluded a peace deal with tribal leaders in North Waziristan, a territory near the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistani strongman agreed to withdraw his army from the area and release prisoners in exchange for promises by militants not to attack the Pakistani army or set up a parallel government.

The Pakistani tribesmen also promised to stop cross-border attacks into Afghanistan and to disarm the many foreign terrorists in their midst -- but few analysts expect them to follow through on those pledges. Instead, both North and South Waziristan -- where a similar truce was agreed on earlier -- are likely to become territories where members of al-Qaeda and the Taliban operate without fear of challenge
Why would Mr. Musharraf strike this deal? The simple answer is that his army was defeated in its attempt to eliminate the al-Qaeda sanctuary by force; since launching the campaign in 2003, it had suffered more than 500 killed. Mr. Musharraf, who tried to dress up his maneuver by visiting Afghanistan the next day, said he was worried about a full-scale uprising in the area. Though he didn't say so, the general is surely hoping that the truce will add to his personal security: He has survived at least two assassination attempts by al-Qaeda.

The cost of his decision will be borne by American and NATO troops in Afghanistan, whose commanders already say that the ability of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters to retreat to Pakistan greatly complicates the challenge of defeating their escalating attacks. So why did Vice President Cheney call Mr. Musharraf "a great ally" just days after his separate peace? Administration officials seem more willing to forgive their autocratic friend than they are domestic critics of the war on terrorism

[candypreet]

a bumpity bump

[candypreet]

The Sunday Times October 08, 2006


Britain says Pakistan is hiding Taliban chief
Christina Lamb, Kabul




THE British general commanding Nato troops in Afghanistan is to confront Pakistan’s president over his country’s support for the Taliban.

Among the evidence amassed is the address of the Taliban’s leader in a Pakistani city.



Lieutenant-General David Richards will fly to Islamabad tomorrow to try to persuade Pervez Musharraf to rein in his military intelligence service, which Richards believes is training Taliban fighters to attack British troops. He will request that key Taliban leaders living in Pakistan be arrested.

The evidence compiled by American, Nato and Afghan intelligence includes satellite pictures and videos of training camps for Taliban soldiers and suicide bombers inside Pakistan.

Captured Taliban fighters and failed suicide bombers have confirmed that they were trained by the Pakistani intelligence service, known as the ISI. The information includes an address in Quetta where Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader, is said to live.

Musharraf had publicly acknowledged “a Taliban problem on the Pakistan side of the border”, said Richards. “Undoubtedly something has got to happen,” he added.

“We’ve got to accept that the Pakistan government is not omnipotent and it isn’t easy but it has to be done and we’re working very hard on it. I’m very confident that the Pakistan government’s intent is clear and they will be delivering on it.”

The initiative emerged as the commander of British forces in Afghanistan, Brigadier Ed Butler, called for more troop-carrying helicopters. He was responding to a promise by Tony Blair that the forces could have whatever extra resources they needed. But a defence source said it was difficult to see where new British transport helicopters could be found.

Political leaders have been reluctant to put pressure on Musharraf for fear of destabilising a nuclear-armed country in which Islamic fundamentalists are strong.

This week’s intervention comes at a sensitive time for Blair after the ISI apparently helped avert the alleged planned bombing of transatlantic airliners flying from Heathrow. But the Taliban’s re-emergence has coincided with mounting evidence of ISI involvement, prompting frustration in Afghanistan, where 30 British servicemen have been killed.

“I feel real vitriol seeing our boys dying because of Pakistan,” said one British officer.

A senior US commander added: “We just can’t ignore it any more. Musharraf’s got to prove which side he is on.”

Hamid Karzai, the president of Afghanistan, has repeatedly complained of Pakistan’s role in providing a haven for Taliban fighters, saying they have openly run camps in Karachi and Quetta. “There is an open campaign by Pakistan against Afghanistan and the presence of coalition troops here,” he said.

In Washington two weeks ago Karzai handed Pakistan the names and addresses of alleged handlers of suicide bombers using a camp near Peshawar that had been infiltrated by an Afghan informer. Last Wednesday a rubbish bag was discovered in the camp containing his body

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-2393838,00.html