Afghan imbroglio: US open to peace talks with Haqqanis
The idea may sound surprising, given the clamour created by the US regarding the Haqqanis and Pakistan’s links to the network, but US secretary of state Hillary Clinton says that the doors are still open for talks with the group.
“We view the Haqqanis and other of their ilk as, you know, being adversaries and being very dangerous to the Americans, Afghans and coalition members inside Afghanistan, but we are not shutting the door on trying to determine whether there is some path forward,” Hillary Clinton said when asked whether she believed members of the Haqqani network might reconcile with the Afghan government.
“It’s too soon to tell whether any of these groups or any individuals within them are serious,” she said in an interview with Reuters.
The US blames the Haqqani network, allegedly headquartered in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal agency, for funneling fighters into Afghanistan to attack US-led coalition forces.
The group’s head Sirajuddin Haqqani said in a recent interview that the American peace overtures were a ploy to divide the Taliban movement. “We are not a separate group. We’re a part of the Taliban movement. If they (the Americans) are serious in pursuing talks, they should talk to the Taliban leadership council,” Sirajuddin said in the audio interview posted on the Taliban’s ‘Voice of Jihad’ website. US officials have been trying to reach out to insurgent group. Last month, media reports said that US officials met with Haqqani network representatives last year for peace talks. Though the State Department refused to divulge the details, Sirajuddin said that the Americans offered his network a ‘major share’ in the Afghan government.
(Read: Afghan endgame - US peace overture to Haqqani network revealed)
The issue of Haqqani network has been bedeviling Pakistan-US relations since the Sept 13 attack on the US embassy and Nato’s country headquarters in Kabul. US officials said the attack was carried out by the Haqqani network with the support of Pakistan’s spy agency ISI. The then Chief of Joint Staff Admiral Mike Mullen went to the extent that he called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of the ISI.
(Read: Volley heats up: ISI targeted in bitter Mullen tirade)
Pakistan’s army rejected the allegations with its chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani saying that Admiral Mullen “knows well which countries were in contact with the Haqqanis.” Sirajuddin endorsed Gen Kayani’s assertion and said that several Muslim and non-Muslim countries, including the US, were in touch with his group.
On Wednesday, Secretary Clinton, despite her conciliatory signals, said that her country would stick to its military campaign that “will make militants more likely to enter serious negotiations.”
“Now, it is also true that we are still trying to kill and capture or neutralise them (the Haqqani network),” Clinton said. “And they are still trying to, you know, kill as many Americans, Afghans and coalition members as they can.” “In many instances where there is an ongoing conflict, you are fighting and looking to talk,” Clinton said. “And then eventually maybe you are fighting and talking. And then maybe you’ve got a cease-fire. And then maybe you are just talking.”
It is unclear how quickly a peace deal could be had, as it remains unclear how military commanders can achieve and defend security improvements as the foreign force in Afghanistan gradually grows smaller.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 13th, 2011.
COMMENTS (39)
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@Ghaznavi: Sir, thanks for your universal advice for Indians.
"If you grow a brain, you would understand, but its too much to ask from an Indian"
Sir can you Please share how did you manage to grow such an awesome brain?
I confess to be to be an Indian wanting to grow a brain.
Thanks in advance.
Do dot believe US. It is always double standard. Sometimes it may help you to exploit things which may affect its interest and sometimes it may attack you for its gain. Now, US is trying to destabilize your Government and nucear facilities so that you may be crippled forever.
@khan
and why should they take care of any oen who does not take care of himself.
if we cannoit protect our interest who has the time and energy and willingness to protect us. and more over its stupid on the part of our nation to think that some one else should care for them.
@ashok sai: Northern Alliance is nothing but a bunch of thugs created by US/ NATO.
When the people, some politicians and civil society had started to tighten screws on the secret agencies to sever ties with Taliban, USA detracts. US is extremely self-interested and cares the least about the interests of its allies.
@Aadersh: A Bhai. egjactly my feelings. All this drama that served no one but made things more difficult fo r the US in Pakistan. Where is the diplomacy?
Hahaha..Civilized society what a joke of statements people are making.. They killed thousands of Innocent people in Iraq and Afghanistan and also in Pakistan..They have been doing it for decades Vietnam, Japan, Somalia etc. 1) If Osama was the target for 9/11 why did they attack Iraq for? anyone 2) If they can talk to Taliban or any militant group why Afghanistan and Pakistan can't? 3) If Darfur or East Timor can be liberated through Referendum so Why can't Palestine and Kashmir.?
This is double standard of UN as it only supports the USA or NATO for their wrongdoings and name it a global community or what ever they call it. The new strategy of UN is that provoke civil war or arm ethnic groups in any country, destabilizing them, formed parallel government and include them in UN. Pass a Bill and Divide the Countries. As can I see it this is the same thing going to happen in Pakistan that what are they trying to do to separate Baluchistan. Pity is that most of the politician knows it and they are the traitors. Unite we stand guys. *Pakistan Zindabad*
@Nasir:
Afghan population :-
Pashtun 42% Tajik 27% Hazara 9% Uzbek 9% Aimak 4% Turkmen 3% Baloch 2% Others (Pashai, Nuristani, Arab, Brahui, Pamiri, Gujjar, etc.) 4%
The above figures are taken from Wiki, apart from Pashtuns, rest of the population are united under northern alliance.
Tell me, where talibans find the place in the above chart.
@ Gul Khan: they are making arrangements to cover talks between haqqani's & America ;)
Good. Late but not too late. Pakistan is a real player so negotiations should be with, through and in consultation with all sincerity. If we really want peace (all stake holders) then negotiations is the only solution. There should be maximum consensus even with all factions in Afghanistan because they are the one who have to face all types of music after the withdrawal of foreign forces. No hidden agenda or proxy tricks from anybody, please. .
Where are the paid bloggers to comment on this NEWS?..disappeared I guess..:)
Welcome back to reality, Hillary. Nice climbdown.
@M.Akthar: when we were not vulnerable, now they are exposed with double game and have betraying since long.They will fellow the dictate just wait.Hillary has taken first step through soft tone.
@Ashok
Afghan Taliban are the residents of Afghanistan and they are fighting war against intruders with the support of Afghan People. Do you really think a gurilla war can be fought winningly without the help of local residents? Since media is bias or they dont have access to all the event, otherwise you would have know how brutally were the innocent Afghans murdered by your champion of human rights; the US and off course her allies. The people of Afghanistan support Afghan Taliban for another important reason; that is they really hate intruders and never surrender. It is proved by History. You are calling them terrorists because US say so? Like they said about the WMD in Iraq? And lets suppose they are terrorists, then why the US is trying to start negotiate with them? Please dont give judgement on media reports only. Instead use the news and the history and analyze it logically. Victory is theirs anyway.
History shows that USA is friend of no one. (Despite giving so many sacrifices for USA if USA is behind Pakistan then it is the proof of my statement).
So our dear world should realize that "USA IS FRIEND OF NO ONE"
This is one thing I can't defend even as a US citizen. Take your shots. It's nothing to be proud of and a deal with them not only seals the fact that lives were wasted but devalues them as well.
Peace is all good and fine but the means should be proportional to the cause of the conflict in the first place and this does not fit that criteria. Deals when it comes to superficial economy related wars are one thing. This is different. In fact, it's even impossible for it to last. Even with a verbal agreement there are plenty even inside their own group that would break away and continue it due to the base motivations. That or it will just be the same thing under a different name and they'll claim they have nothing to do with the so-called newer militant groups.
Don't give people the idea that rolling over is acceptable, Hillary. The country was founded on the principle of not doing so. You're a great example of how things have been straying from the core beliefs and without them there is nothing special about the country. I would personally rather die trying than allowing it to look like people like them could get anything close to what they want and in turn give other militants a perfectly justifiable reason to never stop and it's pretty easy to prolong such things since all you have to do is find a good hiding spot and blow someone up every other week as a reminder.
@ Ashok Its simple for few they are freedom fighters and for others terrorist..
Height of hypocracy they want pakistan to exterminate Haqqani are angry that Pakistan has links with them on the other hand want to talk with them directly
Its like when your boss is jealous of your approach poor America worl power but helpless and untrusted.
US has been defeated....
@Ghaznavi:
You misinterpreted my comment, I never said Afghans are terrorists but al-qaeda and talibans are. My comment was not published fully in which I stated that the real enemies for Pakistan are talibans and Al-qaeda terrorists.
I don't think you will understand the difference between the freedom fighters and the terrorists, since the thing you asked me to grow is not exist with you :)
@ Ashok
You are wrong about that. First yankees scared us saying 'the commies are coming' now its terrorism. If you grow a brain, you would understand, but its too much to ask from an Indian. Brits labeled as terrorists: Mangal Panday, Jhansi ki Rani, Tipu Sultan, Bhagat Singh, Chandershekar Azad, if you believe these all were terrorists than so are Afghans.
It is now new U turn by USA.
i think the concerns of some media analyzers i heard years ago, about plans of USA invading Pakistan after Afghanistan, seem probable now, dont they?
Always they Decide who is terrorist and who is not
and everyone start following
US double standard at its best.
Hypocrisy at its peak...It's a Moral victory for Pakistan!!
The overall US design in this region doesnt suit Pakistan.Haqqanis would surely ask for complete American withdrawl but the Americans are not thinking of such an eventuality in the near future as it is betting on India and granting it acess in Afghanistan to establish and stabalize, so that it can guard the American interests besides its own. This surely means stabbing Pakistan in the back. This they did thrice in the past, 1. Installing Northern Alliance Government in Kabul, despite its promise not to do so. 2. U turn on resolving Kashmir issue despite its promise of help 3. Nuclear deal with India,which is primarily to help India develop sophasticated Nuclear arsanel as a part of grand strategy to contain China, however ignoring Pakistan vulnerabilities. The only answer to face these challenges is Honest and Dedicated leadership.
We should remember that americans & israelis never forgive & forget!
They'll hit back when we are most vulnerable!
Well, how long would keep thumbing the 'Plan-B' folders USA? Can't you lot - with all your wisdom and power - come up with a proper solution to this fiasco you've created?
So why is it kosher for US to talk to so called "terrorists" of Haqqani network when it is a sin if Pakistan maintains contacts with them??? Double standards indeed
The fact is that after the failure of the 'surge' plan, US is itself in a fix and has no plan to tackle the situation. They are facing imminent defeat which will be far worse than Vietnam. Pakistan is a scapegoat for US mistakes.
@Pundit and Ikram: And "Ally in crimes against humanity."
fight till your death,,,douchbags!!!
@Pundit: And yes"So - called " Ally, too, Pundit jee!
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.After reading this Hilary Clinton's confessional statement of USA's and NATO's troops' the most worst defeat in Afghanistan now the world has to know that US' and NATO's troops have bow down their knees before Taliban/Alqaeda/Haqqani network and now are trying for withdrawal from Afghanistan through any means peacefully and calmly.
Cough cough!
Non Nato Ally Sometimes Ally Ostensible Ally Nominal Ally
Marvel at the English Language!