ISLAMABAD:
As civilian leaderships in Islamabad and Washington look on from the sidelines, military and intelligence chiefs from Pakistan and the US work frantically to rebuild their strained anti-terror cooperation.
The new CIA chief General David Petraeus and the head of the US-led international forces for Afghanistan Lt-Gen John Allen held crucial talks with Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Thursday.
The discussions come amid simmering tensions between the two countries over Pakistan’s decision to expel US military trainers and a crackdown against the “private CIA network” in the aftermath of the unilateral American raid that killed al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.
Matters of ‘professional interest’
Not surprisingly, little has trickled down from the meeting between the American and Pakistani military chiefs.
“They discussed various topics of mutual interest and ways to improve regional security,” said a statement issued by the US Embassy after the meeting.
The statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) did not give any details either.
“The visiting dignitary remained with him for some time and discussed matters of professional interest,” it said.
Military sources, however, say the two sides have realised that they need to resolve their differences.
“The back-to-back interactions this week in Washington and Islamabad is an indication that the two sides are willing to move on,” said a military official on condition of anonymity.
The discussions were focused on reviving full intelligence cooperation between the ISI and the CIA, affected due to the ongoing row, the official added.
Intelligence officials here have said that Pakistan has no problem in intelligence cooperation with the US to fight terrorism but would not tolerate any “private CIA network” in the country.
Meanwhile, experts believe that both sides cannot afford a breakdown in ties at a time when the decade-old battle in Afghanistan has entered into a decisive phase.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (6)
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It is a democracy.............. tell us what you talked abut and such.
It would have to do with Afganastan. What would happen if US shuts Pakistan ao all major discussions on Afganstan and their interest is ignored. Pakistan is left empty handed Bye bye afganistan.
I don't mind If our govt. and military work with US - but one thing that needs to be very clearly communicated "the national & strategic interest of Pakistan should not be taken lightly not even by within our govt. but also by US or for that matter by any other country". The blame game has to stop if someone wants to work with Pakistan. The only disappointment I personally have is from our politicians who are simply not competent enough to handle any situation and on top of that they don't accept it.
Good work. The meaningful resluts should come out soon.
It is sad that the topics discussed and the decisions taken in these joint meetings is never honestly reported. While the impression given to the public is that Pakistan military is taking a tough stand the reality as often exposed by sources like Wikileaks, is quite different. We can be reasonably sure that the Pakistan military is bending over backwards to mend relations. With America having collected loads of documents from the raid on Abbotabad and its spy network unraveling links between ISI and various terror groups, room for manoeuvre is limited. If Military Aid is cut where will the expensive toys for the boys come from?
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.As usual once again Pakistani nation's highly confidential and private matters shall be shared and discussed with CIA to approach and access easily by US troops when required any where and any time in Pakistan to get more and more $$$$$$.