Troubled trio: Kabul demands more US pressure on Islamabad
The demand by the Afghan president was put forward in talks held with US special envoy to the region Marc Grossman in Kabul. “The Afghan president asked Grossman to put more pressure on Pakistan so that future meetings with them should bring a positive result,” one official at the presidential palace told AFP anonymously.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, long mired in distrust, have recently deteriorated with Kabul alleging that the murder of its peace envoy Burhanuddin Rabbani was hatched in Pakistan and carried out by a Pakistani.
Kabul accused Islamabad of hindering its investigation and also claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate Karzai, once again allegedly hatched in Pakistan.
Karzai said further meetings with Pakistan “should bring positive results, because after all these suicide attacks and terrorism the people of Afghanistan are losing their patience,” added the statement.
The press release quoted Grossman as promising that the US will “continue putting pressure on Pakistan to take practical steps forward”.
The ‘ally’
Meanwhile, the US believes that Pakistan’s cooperation remains vital to American national security despite having ‘some issues’, the White House said amid reports of improved counter-terror collaboration between the two sides.
“The cooperation we have with Pakistan is extremely important in terms of our national security objectives, in terms of protecting Americans, in terms of taking the fight to al Qaeda. And that’s why we continue to work with the Pakistanis and try to build on that cooperation,” Jay Carney, President Obama’s spokesman said while responding to a question at a daily briefing.
Carney noted the US – which has relied on Pakistan for enforcing security along the porous Afghan border as well as for transporting Nato and US supplies to landlocked Afghanistan in the decade-old conflict – has an “important” relationship with Pakistan.
“We have had enormous successes through our cooperation with Pakistan,” the spokesman said, echoing President Obama’s remarks at a press conference on Thursday that the US could not have succeeded in crushing al Qaeda in the Pak-Afghan border region without Islamabad’s cooperation.
However, Carney’s comments also acknowledged disagreements existing on some issues between the two anti-terror partners.
“We have also made it clear that we have issues with Pakistan at times, and that it is a complicated relationship.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2011.
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Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are repositioning itself for the comming American and NATO withdrawl nears,Though the reshaping of their policy may seem uncomfortable to some on both side but this will not have a major impact on them. "Nura Kushti" nothing more.
@JJ: .You changeover like the colour of the lizard harmful for MUSLIM UMHA. I really want to hear JJ Bhaijan to explain the concept of Muslim Ummah to an illiterate & uninformed guy like me. As a first step of this primer, he can start with it's efficacy within the the borders of present day Pakistan, not East+West Pakistan prior to 1971.
Afghanistan is cause of loads of problems Pakistan has. Trying to help them in 1980s may be was a mistake.
Let us start now and let the first step be giving Afghan refugees in Pakistan 3 months to leave Pakistan.There are over 1.7 Million of then as per official figures and may be double the number un-officially. Let Karzai take care of them
@Andrea, i read this threat of sending Afghan refugees back to their country, but what stops Pakistani govt to do so?? Why does it not say that?? And if Pak govt does not have guts to say this, there is no point really splashing these sites with these self praising comments, as if some world saving exercise is being carried out by having these refugees.
It always seems difficult for Pakistanis to see the writing on world politics that is changing color. In fact I see a deep divide within Pakistan, within govt and public, as always. Public keeps shouting slogans against India, but Pak ministers come and sign business agreements, Public wants to send refugees from Af back, govt does not heed them....
They burn effigies of American president and others but request them to help with bail out packages, support in IMF and World Bank. Talk about sovereignty of Pakistan but suffer drone attacks the moment they speak that word. The "sole Muslim nuclear power" cries out for support for its flood victims, none but a couple wish to hear that call. Leadership of the country has dual citizenship and whenever out of power, they stay abroad. Even if they have cold, they run to USA, while thousands are suffering from dengue. Unemployment 35%, growth rate 3%.....whats going on?
Dont you think there is a deep divide brothers??? Just think...
@Pawaka, like you dare Karzai, Can you ask Zardari or Gilani or Kiyani to go without security in Kabul over 100 Mt without security in Baluchistan, FATA or north Waziristan...if it is not possible for one, it is not for other :)
It seems that the stratagic Assets of Pakistan has put Pakistan in Stratagic depth. Such shallow policicies have got us nowhere and now we have by our own faulty policies surrounded ourselfs by neighbour who not only distrust us but also finds us unfriendly and aggressive, Why does Pakistan haver to create enemies ? What purpose does it serve her, or are these being done by selfish group of people who are only looking out for their own benifits, You all know who I mean.
@JJ
UMMAH?!!! What is that JJ?
We humans (just like other animals) are highly individualistic. To protect MY interests I would antagonize anybody including my parents and brothers.
So imagine how can there be unity among billions of people.
UMMAH is a joke. There's no brotherhood among Muslims. Muslims have killed more muslims than all other religions combined.
Pakistan should not hold the entire region to ransom.
Karzai's brother who was killed recently was the biggest heroin smuggler in Afghanistan. Karzai has some nerve talking like that.
first try and control your country.. try and leave the green zone or red zone. you talk abt sanctuary in pakistan...Entire Afghanistan is haven for terrorist and it is you( karzai) that resides in a sanctuary that is not controlled by talibans/terrorist!..lol
"Do you know why in New York, why nothing happened (this year) on September 11? USA gave us a list of three people, 'help us find them,' USA requested.. We went out of our way and did find them. The White House said fantastic, we have the people that could have harmed us and, by God's grace, nothing happened. Three key people were handed over on the 5th of September. Were people told in America that the reason that New York is safe is because Pakistan helped us capture these people?"
Let find another host,
now it is the time to prove all the theories wrong, miracles happens every where, but more often in Afhanistan,
Atleast the numbskull recognized the border. A positive step...
He'll be gone in a few years and that wretched entity called Afghanistan will go back to a full-scale civil war.
Karzai is an american puppet! He should step down/resign immediately. he has brought shame to the people of Afghanistan. He doesn't represent the majority.
Stop airing your comments until you have a legit Afghan government. You have fooled people once with that infamously fake elections- we'll see what happens next time.
His family lives in India- He was educated in india and ofcourse he clearly demonstrates his indian sentiments when he airs irresponsible comments like this one. I know Mr. Singh shoved some $$$ in your pockets so keep them and enjoy but not at the expense of Pakistan and the Afghan public. We want you out asap, you better start packing your bags and oh while you're at it call your home in delhi and ask them to get that newly bought mansion all cleaned up for your arrival ...you will need it clean for starters cuz after you have packed up nobody is going to listen to you!!
Happy Post-Retirement life Mr. Karzai ---- NOT!!!!
Karzai has no respect in USA. People think Karzai has no integrity and yet he links USA. Anyways Karzai must be told that Afghanistan Government Must think before sleeping with India that , We will not let that happen. USA is in Afghanistan after OBL is dead, because India is investing in American lobby system and in USA's election campaigns for President candidates. Sadly this is what USA is. This is how they operate. What CIA can do to ISI? Nothing both slept one or other times with each others. CIA failed to see 9-11 coming in their own land. ISI failed to see OBL or who ever he was in Pakistan. India is playing with fire. India is asking Pakistan to send some talibans to India as well. Give them if that is what they want? Truth the whole world needs to know and its about time Pakistan makes it official. What happens in Afghanistan does effect our strategic interest. USA used talibans or alike them for their strategic interest then why can't Pakistan do the same. Foolish is India as they walk towards becoming world leaders but not realizing one must act like world leaders before becoming one. If there is any wisdom left in leader of India they will do everything to shake hands with everyone in their region, But here they are shaking hands with someone who is helping them destabilizing the that region. No disrespect to many great human beings of India. Wish there leaders were great like many Indians who are simply the great human beings.
@Nadir: "Afghans" are running out of patience? No Pakistanis are running out of patience so please take all of your Afghani refugees out of Pakistan. And don't gie me the talk about us getting a few pennies for hosting them. We were never supported for all the trouble we took to defeat the Soviets in Afghanistan. We have suffered enough with Afghanistan. Why can't we agree to contruct a big wall or fence the border between the two nations so there is no movement of people or goods. Karzai may be trying to score cheap points but he needs to take a good look in the mirror and blame his own countrymen instead of crying to the world and blaming Pakistan when his own security guards are trying to kill him !
I think many people in Pakistan don't remember that it was not India but Afghanistan, which objected to Pakistan's entry into the UN. Afghanistan has always been closer to India than to Pakistan, the only time Afghanistan came closer to Pakistan was during the Soviet war in 80's and later when Afghanistan was under the Taliban for a couple of years.
Karzzai is lucky getting so much attention though for wrong reasons. He calls himself president of afghanistan but cant even move a finger out of his palace.US is realy capable of nurturing asses for their dirty games
"Kabul accused Pakistan of hindering the investigation and also claimed to have foiled an alleged plot in Pakistan to assassinate Karzai." Well i guess the the angel in disguise who would kill you will really bring some good luck to the afghan people and stop these rhetoric. your government (the only government that rules the green zone in kabul, i guess your name should be in the guinness book of world records for that matter) is in a state of disarray and corrupt and now in search of a scapegoat. but actually you are just a mouthpiece. LONG LIVE PAKISTAN and ISI, we are with you..........................
@Zafar: that won't happen because the establishment gets handsomely rewarded by UN for the refugees
He is basically a confuse person and he often doesn't know what he is saying...
If Pakistan is Afganistan's twin brother, why does Pakistan object to the label "Af-Pak" and alays insists ( even when there is no match ) on the label "Indo-Pak " ?
Mr. Karzai, you are so wrong. All you represent is the northern alliance and you speak what the Northern alliance and CIA wants you to speak. You declare yourself to be the so called president of Afghanistan, how come your writ does not extend beyond the heavily fortified portions of Kabul. I dare you to drive a 100 m inside Kabul without security you will know where the president is. You are so disillusioned when you call yourself president of Afghanistan because the real power in Afghanistan are the Taliban and majority of the people that support and admire Taliban unlike your current puppetry. Its high time to realize where you stand and accept and adapt to the conditions on ground.
@JJ: Agreed, but many a times brothers are the worst enemies of each other and that precisely is the case with Pakistan and Afghanistan. So twin brothers fall apart and enters Afghanistan's best friend India.
Do not bother about this statement.
First it is for Indian leadership ONLY.
Second - who gives Karzia any importance - he does not even rule his own palace..........
Other than pushing their own agendas, I don't see a sincere effort from any of the concerned parties to resolve the Afghan issue peacefully and collaboratively.
The key is to work together - not start more partisan fights between US, Pak and Afghan.
Afghans running out of patience?
Mr. Karzai, just the other day you termed Pakisan as your twin brother. It's about time you stop playing the politics of pleasing Pakistanis and take a firm stand to stop the terrorism menace. We know it only too well the type of double game Pakistan is capable of playing. Americans are finding it out too now!
Again why tribune gives so much importance to Karzai ? I don't see Karzai's statement in any news media sites than there in tribune. Daily some thing related to his rhetoric is being posted here with a little twist. Whats with the tribune really ?
It seems US is committed to start an escalation on Pakistani territories just to distract domestic public and International community from its gross failures in the region. Afghanistan is a golden duck for US military, CIA and its private contractors and they don't want to end this war by 2014.
Wow! Our policies have worked so well. We have alienated our natural allies and surrounded ourselves with states hostile to us. And guess whos power and influence remains intact?