Pakistan

Pakistan demands US close military intelligence centres: Report

Centres are US military's main conduits to share satellite imagery, target data, intelligence with Pakistani army.

Express May 27, 2011

Pakistan has asked the United States to close three military intelligence liaison centres, according to a report published in the US newspaper the Los Angeles Times.

The Los Angeles Times reports that two of the liaison centres, known as fusion cells, are in Peshawar while one is working in Quetta. The fusion cells help coordinate operations on both sides of the border and are the US military’s main conduits to share satellite imagery, target data and other intelligence with the Pakistani army.

The newspaper claims that the step effectively removes US advisers from the frontlines of the war against terrorism in Pakistan.

The closure of these cells is being seen as the latest in several steps that have manifested the growing mistrust between the US and Pakistan.

The closure of the three cells has not been publicly announced yet, but the report stated that Admiral Mike Mullen flew to Pakistan on Thursday for a hastily arranged meeting with General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani which is presumed to be discussing Pakistan’s demands for a smaller US military presence.

The report also quoted US officials saying that collapse of the effort would probably hinder the Obama administration's efforts to gradually push Pakistan toward conducting ground operations against insurgent strongholds in North Waziristan and elsewhere

Earlier, the US military on Wednesday said that it had begun pulling some American troops out of Pakistan after Islamabad’s request for a smaller presence.

COMMENTS (10)

Nasir Khan | 13 years ago | Reply The first step for the solution of our problems is to "refuse" the US aid. But then, how will our corrupt leaders fill their coffers, as that is where most aid goes. Pakistan expatriates are currently sending about 11 billion US dollars a year. They could easily increase this to 15 billion. I have no doubt that Pakistan can survive w/o US aid, even though that may require some belt tightening.

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply Arnt these centers setup at Corps headquarters? If you want to shut them down, shut it!! This is just a stunt to show that they are doing something

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Ali | 13 years ago | Reply When you really want the centers to be closed, you just close them. Don't ask the intruders to close them themselves. This is like begging the question.

mahmood | 13 years ago | Reply So much for Pakistan's commitment to fight terrorism --- some will use this to confirm their suspicions that Pakistan is helping terrorist and this move just contributes to the image of "nexus of terrorism". On the bright side --- it's just a building which can be relocated. If this keeps up the USA is going to run out of reasons to provide political coverage to Pakistan after the OBL debacle.

Aamir | 13 years ago | Reply We will soon hear news of more cooperation from Pak Army. They are fooling media to give impression that they are still sovereign Army. Enough is on Wikileaks to verify the down to earth attitude of our Army and Government. Let us accept this reality that we were sold to US by Musharaf and later regimes.

indian | 13 years ago | Reply Ans stop giving "AID" too?

Moise | 13 years ago | Reply TTP bosses are being evicted. TTP beware one side angry Pakistanis and on other side original Talibans who will love to reward you for impersonating them and killing Muslims.

J Oberoi | 13 years ago | Reply Any request by the establishment to stop aid?

Fareedi | 13 years ago | Reply Yes and the Us shall graciously oblige...... wake up. Beggars can't be choosers. Mir Taqi Mir said "aah kiss tarah khak e muzallat sai main uthoon uftaadah tar jo mujh sai mera dastageer ho"

IZ | 13 years ago | Reply The US govt needs to realize the difficult position they have put Pakistan in. And some more serious public attempts to highlight the difficulties of the country and the sacrifices it has made would not go amiss. Having said that, Pakistani authorities also need to realize that if they are going to go clean out the den of terrorism in N. Waziristan, American help would be useful and could save the lives of our soldiers.

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