ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, it seems, is not yet ready to let go and is still seething over the pre-dawn Nato air raid that killed 24 of its soldiers on Saturday.
President Asif Ali Zardari has turned down a request by the United Arab Emirates to review Pakistan’s decision to ask the US to vacate the remote Shamsi Airbase in Balochistan, which is said to be under UAE control.
The Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zaid al Nahyan, who arrived in Islamabad on Monday night, made the request in a meeting with the president and asked that Pakistan allow the US to use the base until investigation into the incident is complete.
Zardari told al Nahyan that the decision had been made by the defence committee of the cabinet, which met hours after the attack and decided that the US must vacate the airbase within 15 days, and must be followed as the nation felt strongly about the issue.
The controversial airbase, located about 300 kilometres from Quetta, has been used as a key launch pad for drone strikes in Afghanistan and allegedly also for those carried out in Pakistan’s own tribal areas. This is the third time Pakistan has demanded the US to vacate the base. Similar demands were made after CIA operative Raymond Davis killed two Pakistanis in Lahore and in the aftermath of the unilateral US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
New anti-terror cooperation
In the wake of Saturday’s raid, Pakistan is pushing for a new anti-terror cooperation agreement with the US, The Express Tribune has learnt.
A list of demands that Islamabad is preparing includes a written accord with the US to provide explicit guarantees that such attacks will not recur and halt the CIA-led drone campaign in the country’s tribal belt, officials said requesting anonymity.
The existing cooperation is based on ‘unwritten agreements and understanding’ reached between Islamabad and Washington during former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf’s regime and past efforts by Pakistan to renegotiate terms of engagement with the US have been unsuccessful.
Islamabad made a similar demand earlier this year when its relations were severely strained with Washington over the arrest of Raymond Davis. However, the authorities are now adamant that normal cooperation with the US can only go back on track if Pakistan’s concerns are addressed.
The demands, if not accepted, may compel Pakistan to not only withdraw its support to the war on terror but also pull out troops along the border with Afghanistan, said a security official. “This message has already been conveyed to the US,” he said.
However, another official said it was premature to contemplate such an ‘extreme step’ at this stage, though the option was very much on the table and might be used as a last resort.
Chief military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said the Nato attack certainly has dire implications. “It is very difficult for us now to extend the kind of support that was there before this attack,” Gen Abbas said. However, he stopped short of saying if Pakistan will pull out its troops along the border with Afghanistan. “All such decisions will be taken by Parliament,” he said.
Top military commanders are expected to meet soon to discuss the fallout of the Nato strike and options to deal with the crisis. The corps commanders meeting to be chaired by Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will evolve a strategy not only on the incursions but also on pacifying ‘growing anger in the rank and file’ of the military.
Top military leadership is concerned about the ‘negative impact’ this incident has had on troops manning the rugged terrain on the Afghan border. “It is indeed a challenge for the military leadership to pacify that anger. How can we convince them (troops) that the Americans are our allies?” asked a senior military official.
(Read: After the Nato attack)
Published in The Express Tribune, November 29th, 2011.
COMMENTS (59)
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Coming here in Pakistan and putting such request shows that UAE is also sold and they are being dictated by US.
We believe that US should be forcefully pulled out if they are not going in normal manner.
Tauqeer
@Hedgefunder:
Pakistani's are in LaLa Land. They think the world owes it to them. They better earn it as world will not serve them everything on a platter.
@Dallas Ali: It is not Pakistan's fault !!! It is everyone else's fault for all the problems facing Pakistan !!! It is their divine right to be fed by all the other nations and to be provided funds too, as they have the BOMB !!!!
Most Pakistani are off their rocker! The country lacks resource, education, corrupt up to their eye brows. I hope they look in their backyard and see what the reality it; instead of making a mockery of their country.
should we unfriend all countries or just the ONE to avoid isolation!??
@Fawad_Texan: "Pak Army needs to play at Front Foot now. Politicians can’t do anything as they play backfoot all the time and failed everytime to provide security to Pak army".
You got it backwards buddy. IT is not the politicians' job to protect the army. It is the army's job to protect the borders and it has consistently failed to do so.
what an insult to every Pakistany.
Down with UAE and to hell with the "Arab pseudo-ummah". Long live China and Turkey!
@Fawad_Texan: Yes the army should provide the same security to the country as they provided OBL in their base. Same security while surrendering in East Pakistan, Kargil, to Mehran Base, and the same security as to their headquarter! Excepting killing their own civilians what are the successes of our army? The surrender in East Pakistan, elected politicians were responsible, Kargil elected govt was responsible, OBL in army base elected govt's fault, latest attack for two hours no action all elected govt's fault. Time and again it is proved that the Americans can be anywhere in Pakistan for two hours or more before any action by the armed forces. The civilians who finance these paid servants must be reponsible. I guess with these facts I have made my point. Regards, Mirza
Pak Army needs to play at Front Foot now. Politicians can't do anything as they play backfoot all the time and failed everytime to provide security to Pak army.
Pakistan zindabad. I'm loving my new-found love for Pakistan. Are you guys with me or what?
@Maria: Did you forget that Pakistan learned to manufacture nuclear weapons when India detonated a nuclear device and started the arms race in South Asia? Did you forget that when Pakistan tested her own device in response to Indian provocation, the West slapped sanctions on Pakistan and instead we learned to make our own weapons including airplanes and tanks. So yes, go and cry to the West that they should stop all aid to Pakistan. We would welcome it.
Have you ever considered the actual cost to the Nation, of the divine Bomb ?? Which weapons airplanes and tanks, do Pakistan actually make???? No one will have to tell west to stop Aid as they have already decided as to their future course of action !!!!! You need to do some home work as to your manufacturing abilities !!!!
@Ali: Yes its all very sad !! All roads lead to Uncle Sam !! And your lot here thinks that you can take them on??? Its called living in fool's paradise !!!!
KSA = USA UAE = USA UN = USA IMF = USA
WELL DONE ZARDARI
@Truth-seekerr: You are too much worried about expat pakistanis working in UAE, don’t worry about them, UAE is our brother and they also feel the same pain as we.
No i am not worried about them i am more worried about their families as without their earnings, the families will face hardships as its obvious that Pakistan can not provide them with any employment !!! UAE is not your brother, either and they will take this rebuke from Pakistan very seriously, wait for time when Pakistan will ask for favour and see what happens !! Pakistan is simply not in position to act strong !! Give it few days and see your Govt & Army cave in to foreign pressure !!!! This is the price one pays, when you survive on others handouts and largesse !
It's not that black and white as it sound, let suppose because of this, UAE said that take back your national to your country or put strict sanctions on them.
Tell me will all of you will give the same comments or have sentiments.
It's a very tricky situation, and should be taken tactfully, rather than with emotions.
Things are not that straight as it sounds!!!
"The demands, if not accepted, may compel Pakistan to not only withdraw its support to the war on terror but also pull out troops along the border with Afghanistan, said a security official." Who in their right mind made the man who stated that any form of authority on such a thing? You were attacked, so in retaliation you're going to make sure it's even easier to be attacked by even non-NATO groups in the future. The only way that makes sense is if they really have been supporting militant attacks on Afghanistan and there never was a militant threat they were guarding against in the first place.
@ali: Ali Mian, Bravo for justifying extra judicial killing! Two wrongs don't make it right!
@HoneyBee: so one day if UAE ask to handover country to USA …. Do u agree . . .???
HoneyBee ji, Are you suggesting that your friend(s) are unreliable? Don't you think your reaction is a little over dramatic?
You are allowed to disagree with friends/others in a very respectful manner. But here you are... calling names to the very country and its people that have stood by you over time.
No wonder you guys find yourselves isolated in the whole world!
So called UAE friends are actually our enemies for requesting to reverse the decision.
@Babloo: Don't worry about the drama in Pakistani politics. You have enough drama in your Indian politics. And yes most Pakistanis want to stop all US aid if it means regaining our independence and sovereignty. Did you forget that Pakistan learned to manufacture nuclear weapons when India detonated a nuclear device and started the arms race in South Asia? Did you forget that when Pakistan tested her own device in response to Indian provocation, the West slapped sanctions on Pakistan and instead we learned to make our own weapons including airplanes and tanks. So yes, go and cry to the West that they should stop all aid to Pakistan. We would welcome it.
@hedgefunder: You are too much worried about expat pakistanis working in UAE, don't worry about them, UAE is our brother and they also feel the same pain as we.
Must say it is the only good decision by Zardari.
A new case must be filed against Musharraf, USA and all those in the Pakistani govt who were aware of drones on Pakistani soil and killing Pakistanis. There will be strong case for extra judicial killings.
@Chulbul Pandey: so one day if UAE ask to handover country to USA .... Do u agree . . .???
So much for anyone who thought these Arabs were our friends.
There is a time and place for requests by friends and this is not it.
please AZ & AQ take firm stand & don't betrayed the nation this time. . .!!!
@Mirza: Musharraf is hardly a tenth of the general that Kayani is. Musharraf was only interested in using the army to take over a civilian government and rule as a dictator. Kayani is however a professional who has restored pride to the institution of the military by staying out of politics officially. I agree with you that even a lacklustre PPP government has done better for the nation than the dictatorship of Musharraf which lead to all the problems we now have. Musharraf gave away Pakistan's defense and sovereignty to support his illegal rule.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: "If the Shamshi Airbase will not be vacated by the US and UAE, there will be a political tsunami which will oust the whole cabinet including the President and the Prime Minister."
Excuse me. It was not the politicians that had leased the airbase to UAE, it was the army chief Musharraf. On earlier occasions when parliament had asked US to vacate Shamsi airbase US was still allowed to remain there. The politicians have no say in foreign policy. It is controlled 100% by Kayani. If anyone should be held to account it should be Kayani not Zardari.
Amazing to see the anger towards UAE in comments above. If I am not mistaken, UAE has always helped Pakistan in the hour of need and even lets Pakistan's Cricket team use it's grounds. All UAE asked was to let USA use the bases until the probe is complete. Is that too much to ask for? Being angry is one thing but being insulting and disrespectful to a friend is getting a bit too carried away!
If the leading UAE dignitary hadn't worn nike sandals to this meeting, he might have got away with his request LOL just on the lighter note :)
UAE pay u for that base so they have right to demand things however anti US sentiments are sky rocketing so sheikhs have to wait for some time
so sheikh wants pakistan to handover base to US so that it may keep killing innocent civilans and soldiers in future. It would have been better if sheikh had asked US to stop killing innocents civilians.
@Sanya: you are right If imran khan were there in Govt. it will remain a rejection for next 100000000000 years. He is the leader. We should request Army establishment please bring him to power soon.
The US is trying to resolve this matter by getting other countries to exert some sort of pressure/calling in favors, notably the UAE and Australian higher ups meeting with Pakistani higher ups today. I foresee many other countries trying to do the US bidding this week.
Hopefully our leaders won't change their stance. About time we told them its about time they stopped taking us for granted.
Shame on those who are condemning UAE and Arab friends. There is a saying that beggers are not choosers, its also true that beggers are not good friends. If UAE has asked us some favour, we can say No in a friendly manner. There is no point in disrespecting a friend. Its our fault guys. Thousands of our soldiers have been killed and we did not shed a tear nor said any word against their killers. UAE has seen this incident in that perspective. They must be surprised that why we are making so much noise now. 24 is a very small figure comapred to five thousand.
One can understand all the chest thumping of Ghairat Brigade against all the aid donor countries including the US and UAE. However, Saudia Arabia, Turkey (a NATO member) and others are all going to side not with Pakistan but the USA. First we have to break the begging bowl before all the Ghairat talk. USA has laws and would never do that but shikhdoms like UAE and Kuwait can put restriction on Pakistanis working there. We have to be cautious in our rebuke to such countries as they are not dependent upon Pakistan but we are! We have to be realistic before these tiny rich shikhdoms throw millions of Pakistanis out. We cannot even have cricket matches in Pakistan and use UAE as home. Please don't kill the messanger, as the livelihood of millions of families depend upon these petty sheiks.
Wow, kind of impressed they turned down the 'Sheikhs'. (though, don't necessarily agree with the reactionary decision on closing down the base - stopping the drones would be welcomed - as long as the Pak forces can make up for it by conducting more ground operations by their own initiatives to stop terrorists, which sadly I doubt)
Think the Saudis and Emiratis (yes, I'm aware it's UAE only, but on foreign policy they are ironically virtually the same) are going to hate Zardari even more on top of his sectarian background.
Wonder if we can also say no to their illegal hunting of our endangered animals that the government always seems to accommodate them for the sake of procuring petro-dollars.
"Zardari" rejects? right!! Does he even know what has happened and why the threat of shutting down the base?
Wait.....tomorrow Zardari will agree.
long live zardari......... well done
These Arabs Shaikhs(puppets of the West) should mind their own business and not interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs.
Give it few days and we will see as to what happens at Shamsi !!! We have seen this charade before too many times ! Pakistan have over 1.2 million migrant workers in UAE, they really can not afford to upset them either!!!
The root cause of all problems are Arabs not innocent Pakistani or Afghani.
Do I read it right. The base that was given to UAE/USA by the army general Mush would be taken away by the PPP govt? And yet the generals are great and the elected govt is bad?
Its all messed up! Why is everyone playing a game with our country, even the insiders!? I know for a fact that Zardari's rejection will soon turn into an acceptance, the moment our sentiments cool down. There have been plenty of other incidents where we have lost our young soldiers, but why a verbal reaction at this point in time! I feel our politicians are acting out their definitions of blood sucking termites. I see it all as an integrated plan to win our hearts and eventually the upcoming elections! But we need to assure it to them, that enough is enough !! A Mere Rejection will not work! Please For God's sake, stand up. Stop being a slave!
Is nt amazing ? Instead of condemning nato raid and showing soldarity with its brotherly country,the Uae sheikhs have come here to plead for the Americans.Soon we wuld be getting phone calls from the saudians.qataris and kuwaitis.Would we ever have an independent foreign policy ???.
If the Shamshi Airbase will not be vacated by the US and UAE, there will be a political tsunami which will oust the whole cabinet including the President and the Prime Minister.
This is a matter of Pakistan and no compromise will be made on Shamshi Airbase. Now it is up to US and UAE to discuss the matter with each other and settle the issue. The Government of Pakistan gave the Shamshi Airbase to UAE on lease and the Government of UAE has deviated the terms of lease agreement which is in violation of the Pakisatni law.
The consequence is that the lease agreement between the Government of Pakistan and Government of UAE is subject to termination without further notice.
Now it is up to UAE to think whether it would like to remain Pakistan’s friend or foe?
If Zardari did what ET says, then I think he has realized that he would be rejecting the nation's sentiments on Shamsi. The base needs to come back into Pakistan's custody and not be given back to UAE because they have already violated Pakistan's interest. UAE's delegation thoughts represent that of the Ummah in general. i.e., stab their own kind.
We must stand firm on the DCC decision. Any backtracking will only denigrate the government and military's falling reputation. don't flip flop! NATO countries would never tolerate a similar incident and loss of lives on their respective territories. We must let them know that Pakistani lives are equally valuable.