The Pakistani army contends it is committed to fighting terrorists and is surprised the U.S. is suspending $800 million in aid, but a spokesman insists today the cut in military aid during these strained times will have "no significant effect" on anti-terror efforts.
"We will continue our operations as in the past," Gen. Athar Abbas tells the BBC after a top Obama administration official said the U.S. was pulling the purse strings.
Frustrated by duplicitous behavior on the part of Pakistan amid evidence that some officials may have helped hide deceased Al Qaeda boss Osama bin Laden, White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told ABC"s "This Week" program yesterday that Islamabad had "taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid."
"Obviously, there's still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the President felt strongly about and we have no regrets over," Daley explained.
The U.S. hands Pakistan $2 billion a year in aid, but amid the decline of the American economy, combined with suspect Pakistani activities, some in Congress say it is time to end that foreign aid.
"Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them," Daley added.
At the heart of the deteriorating relationship is Pakistan's spy agency, the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence, which has ties to militants groups and is believed to have been infiltrated by anti-American terrorist sympathizers.
The U.S. also nbelieves the ISI assassinated Saleem Shahzad, 40, to muzzle his reports that the ISI had been corrupted by Al Qaeda operatives or allies.
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pakistan. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Bin Laden Had History of Jumping on Bandwagon Late
The late Yasser Arafat, after years of work as a peacemaker, was unimpressed when Osama bin Laden began citing the plight of the Palestinians in his recorded rants. Arafat questioned where bin Laden had been during years of fighting for Palestinian freedom? The PLO leader was insulted by bin Laden's opportunistic overtures.
It was a taste of how Arab freedom fighters were not in tune with bin Laden. It was a sign Al Qaeda would not flourish as a movement.
Now, in his first recorded message since his death, bin Laden has embraced the Arab revolts, once again a late-comer to a wave that is bigger than he ever was. Did anyone remember freedom-seeking pro-democracy demonstrators in Tunisia, Egypt or Libya talking about bin Laden? Was his name chanted at Tahrir Square? No.
The 12-minute recorded audio message had obviously been in the works before bin Laden's demise, the BBC reports.
There is more high level speculation, meanwhile, in Washington that bin Laden had help from within the Pakistani military or security forces.
"Somebody knew," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “We don’t know whether it was retired people, whether it was low level — pure supposition on our part,” Mr. Gates said. “It’s hard to go to them with an accusation when we have no proof that anybody knew.”
U.S. authorities are combing through the evidence from the Abbottabad raid and are chasing down the leads, ABC News reports.
But spymaster Leon Panetta reminded company staff in Langley that loose lips sink ships, noting the bevy of leaks sprouting in the press, according to CNN.
A U.S. envoy has arrived in Islamabad, as questions remain over the $20.7 billion in U.S. aid to Pakistan over the past decade.
An update from Peter Bergen on the succession of power in Al Qaeda.
Some red meat regarding the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid. "When that day was over and they got up the next morning and said, '(Ayman) al-Zawahiri is No. 2. We have a special forces unit just for you,'" said Rep. Mike Rodgers (R-Mich), according to The Detroit News.
The looming threat from Islamic extremists and bin Laden followers.
The Associated Press appeals for reconsideration of its request for records regarding the bin Laden raid.
It was a taste of how Arab freedom fighters were not in tune with bin Laden. It was a sign Al Qaeda would not flourish as a movement.
Now, in his first recorded message since his death, bin Laden has embraced the Arab revolts, once again a late-comer to a wave that is bigger than he ever was. Did anyone remember freedom-seeking pro-democracy demonstrators in Tunisia, Egypt or Libya talking about bin Laden? Was his name chanted at Tahrir Square? No.
The 12-minute recorded audio message had obviously been in the works before bin Laden's demise, the BBC reports.
There is more high level speculation, meanwhile, in Washington that bin Laden had help from within the Pakistani military or security forces.
"Somebody knew," said Defense Secretary Robert Gates. “We don’t know whether it was retired people, whether it was low level — pure supposition on our part,” Mr. Gates said. “It’s hard to go to them with an accusation when we have no proof that anybody knew.”
U.S. authorities are combing through the evidence from the Abbottabad raid and are chasing down the leads, ABC News reports.
But spymaster Leon Panetta reminded company staff in Langley that loose lips sink ships, noting the bevy of leaks sprouting in the press, according to CNN.
A U.S. envoy has arrived in Islamabad, as questions remain over the $20.7 billion in U.S. aid to Pakistan over the past decade.
An update from Peter Bergen on the succession of power in Al Qaeda.
Some red meat regarding the aftermath of the Abbottabad raid. "When that day was over and they got up the next morning and said, '(Ayman) al-Zawahiri is No. 2. We have a special forces unit just for you,'" said Rep. Mike Rodgers (R-Mich), according to The Detroit News.
The looming threat from Islamic extremists and bin Laden followers.
The Associated Press appeals for reconsideration of its request for records regarding the bin Laden raid.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Kerry: Pakistan Will Return Stealth Helicopter
Sen. John Kerry announced Pakistan will return the tail-section wreckage from the U.S. stealth helicopter used in the raid on Osama bin Laden's Abbottabad compound in a sign that Islambad wants to repair its soiled image with the United States.
Playing the role of "God cop," the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee disclosed the offer after a day of meetings with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders, The Guardian reported.
The U.S. and Pakistan had “agreed on a specific series of steps that will be implemented in order to get the relationship on track," Kerry said, according to The Washington Post.
Relations have soured since the U.S. stormed bin Laden's lair. Pakistan says the U.S. action ignored its sovereignty, while the U.S. wants to know how bin Laden was hiding out under the noses of the Pakistani military and intelligence service.
“I’ll say again and again: The make or break is real,” Kerry said. “There are members of Congress who aren’t confident that [the relationship] can be patched back together again. That is why actions, not words, are going to be critical to earning their votes.”
One in five Americans think bin Laden is still alive. Los Angeles Times blogger Andrew Malcolm asks, Ah, what?
Playing the role of "God cop," the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee disclosed the offer after a day of meetings with Pakistan's military and civilian leaders, The Guardian reported.
The U.S. and Pakistan had “agreed on a specific series of steps that will be implemented in order to get the relationship on track," Kerry said, according to The Washington Post.
Relations have soured since the U.S. stormed bin Laden's lair. Pakistan says the U.S. action ignored its sovereignty, while the U.S. wants to know how bin Laden was hiding out under the noses of the Pakistani military and intelligence service.
“I’ll say again and again: The make or break is real,” Kerry said. “There are members of Congress who aren’t confident that [the relationship] can be patched back together again. That is why actions, not words, are going to be critical to earning their votes.”
One in five Americans think bin Laden is still alive. Los Angeles Times blogger Andrew Malcolm asks, Ah, what?
Monday, May 9, 2011
Pakistan Media Outs CIA's Top Agent in Islamabad
The White House declined to comment today specifically on a Pakistani TV station and newspaper identifying the CIA station chief for Islamabad, but in general said the U.S. intends to continue to pursue a working relationship with Pakistan.
The Pakistani spy agency, the Inter Services Intelligence Directorate, is believed to be the culprit that leaked the name of the top U.S. CIA agent as payback for the U.S. hit on Osama bin Laden.
"The cooperation that we've had with Pakistan has been important for years now in our fight against terrorism and terrorists, and more terrorists have been killed on Pakistani soil, because of that cooperation, than anywhere else in the world. And that's important to note; which is not to say we don't have our differences, because we do. We obviously do. And those differences are frequently aired," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"But the fact of the matter is that that relationship important. The cooperation continues to be important for the United States in order to pursue Al Qaeda and other terrorists as the war continues after the death of bin Laden," Carney added.
It was the second time in five months that Pakistani authorities have outed the CIA station chief in Islamabad to Pakistani news media. The name was mention on Pakistani TV station ARY, and was then picked up by the right-wing newspaper, Nation, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani denied today that the ISI helped hide bin Laden or was incompetent in tracking him to the compound in Abbottabad where he lived for an estimated five years before Navy SEALS killed him a week ago yesterday.
The Pakistani spy agency, the Inter Services Intelligence Directorate, is believed to be the culprit that leaked the name of the top U.S. CIA agent as payback for the U.S. hit on Osama bin Laden.
"The cooperation that we've had with Pakistan has been important for years now in our fight against terrorism and terrorists, and more terrorists have been killed on Pakistani soil, because of that cooperation, than anywhere else in the world. And that's important to note; which is not to say we don't have our differences, because we do. We obviously do. And those differences are frequently aired," said White House spokesman Jay Carney.
"But the fact of the matter is that that relationship important. The cooperation continues to be important for the United States in order to pursue Al Qaeda and other terrorists as the war continues after the death of bin Laden," Carney added.
It was the second time in five months that Pakistani authorities have outed the CIA station chief in Islamabad to Pakistani news media. The name was mention on Pakistani TV station ARY, and was then picked up by the right-wing newspaper, Nation, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani denied today that the ISI helped hide bin Laden or was incompetent in tracking him to the compound in Abbottabad where he lived for an estimated five years before Navy SEALS killed him a week ago yesterday.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
U.S. Hails India-Pakistan 'Cricket Diplomacy'
It may be opening day for Major League Baseball, but it is the widely reported cricket match between India and Pakistan that has caught the eye of the State Department.
"The United States congratulates the people of Pakistan and India on the cricket match between the two nations’ teams, and their respective Prime Ministers on their promising 'cricket diplomacy,'" said acting deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner.
"The match showcased world-class cricket, sportsmanship, and statesmanship. The expansion of dialogue between India and Pakistan is a welcome and encouraging development for both countries, for the region, and for the world. It builds on the substantial progress achieved by the Interior and Home secretaries earlier this week," Toner said of on-going diplomatic efforts.
"The United States welcomes the ongoing engagement between India and Pakistan. We continue to believe that talks should continue at a pace, time, and scope of the two governments’ choosing. We applaud both leaders and their citizens for the creative initiative, warm spirit and friendly competition on display during the match," Toner concluded in his written statement this afternoon.
India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the World Cup semi-final match Wednesday. India faces Sri Lanka tomorrow for the championship.
"The United States congratulates the people of Pakistan and India on the cricket match between the two nations’ teams, and their respective Prime Ministers on their promising 'cricket diplomacy,'" said acting deputy State Department spokesman Mark Toner.
"The match showcased world-class cricket, sportsmanship, and statesmanship. The expansion of dialogue between India and Pakistan is a welcome and encouraging development for both countries, for the region, and for the world. It builds on the substantial progress achieved by the Interior and Home secretaries earlier this week," Toner said of on-going diplomatic efforts.
"The United States welcomes the ongoing engagement between India and Pakistan. We continue to believe that talks should continue at a pace, time, and scope of the two governments’ choosing. We applaud both leaders and their citizens for the creative initiative, warm spirit and friendly competition on display during the match," Toner concluded in his written statement this afternoon.
India defeated Pakistan by 29 runs in the World Cup semi-final match Wednesday. India faces Sri Lanka tomorrow for the championship.
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