Averting another episode: Pakistan urged to share border-post map
US Marine Corps General James Mattis, the commander, said in a statement on Monday that the strike’s chief lesson was that “we must improve border coordination and this requires a foundational level of trust on both sides of the border.”
Mattis told the allied commander in Afghanistan, General John Allen, to take steps to prevent “friendly fire” incidents and share them with Pakistan’s military “if possible,” an apparent reference to continuing strains.
The latest US military information on repairing the damage was disclosed on the Central Command’s website along with a 30-page report of the US military’s findings on the Nov. 25-26 nighttime airstrike that deeply angered Pakistan.
The incident has derailed already uneasy Pakistan-US cooperation in the American-led fight against militants who zig-zag the border, known as the Durand Line, to destabilise the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai.
US military investigators said American forces had failed to verify the location of Pakistani units before ordering the attack but blamed Pakistani forces for firing first. The findings were outlined by the Pentagon on Thursday. Mattis directed Allen, commander of Nato’s International Security Assistance Force, to seek full disclosure of all facilities and installations on both sides of the frontier as soon as possible.
This should include “systematic updates based on a common data base and map, and incorporating periodic reciprocal coordination visits,” he said. The US investigators said a climate of deep mutual distrust was partly to blame for the incident.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 28th, 2011.
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Major David Nevers, DET-United States Central Command.
Dear Major, Thank you for your comments on Salala, Mohmand Province, Pakistan. Unfortunately, you do not seem to quite have it, and you appear to be looking at the whole scenario from a purely American, military perspective. This is understandable and what we have come to expect, but never-the-less is disappointing. After 10 years it is too late to play the blame game. You do not like the Taliban, and the Taliban want you out of their country. It seems to be apparent that Washington wishes to be out of Afghanistan, and it is just a matter of time before you go home.. When you have gone the Taliban will still be around. The bottom line is that everybody is weary of one of the longest wars in modern history, and when it is all over everybody will be wondering what it was all about, because nothing will have been solved. All anybody can hope for now is that America will come up with a workable timetable that everybody can understand, stop making major tactical errors, cease bombing, cease drone attacks, start seriously negotiating for peace, and go home, which will allow Afghanistan/Pakistan to pick up the pieces and get on with their lives. In the meantime, you do not have to convince me or the other readers about American motives, but you do have to convince the Pakistan Government, military and intelligence services who have shown more forbearance than I would have thought possible. So far American diplomacy skills have bean somewhat lacking both in tact and meaning.
We have said this all along that the tragic incident at Salala has put us behind in many ways and trust is one of them. Trust is necessary for better coordination in the future. No one will deny that both the United States and Pakistan are fighting the same terrorists who have killed over 35,000 Pakistanis including over 5,000 members of the Pakistani forces. Would you not agree that the militants are the true enemies who have no regard for human life? They have attacked civilians and military on both sides of the border.
Our investigation has revealed flaws in communication, coordination and the way near-border operations are handled. We have taken responsibility where we have been wrong but we will not accept blame for things that were not deliberate. Mistakes were made from both sides and the only way to make sure that those mistakes are not repeated is to work together in combining our efforts to beat terrorism. This has been our motive all along… Nothing less!
Detailed investigation report can be read here: http://www.centcom.mil/images/stories/Crossborder/report%20exsum%20further%20redacted.pdf
Maj David Nevers DET-United States Central Command www.centcom.mil/ur
Dear General Mattis, You are not being unreasonable. I think sharing information is a good idea. All you have to do is make the American military data base available to Pakistan, and I am sure that Pakistan will reciprocate. Meanwhile, I have a $10.00 road map, and a $200.00 GPS system, which navigates me extremely accurately. If your pilots are have trouble navigating I am prepared to lend you my GPS system together with a Pakistan/Afghanistan map, and I am certain they will ensure that you find the correct locations. Additionally, the Google Earth Mapping system is very good, and with a press of your computer button it will show you exactly were the border posts are. They are controlled by satellite you see. These are just a few of the navigational tools available, but I am certain they will help you. Anybody with an I.Q. greater than 50 will be able to find their way around the border regions if you let them use the correct equipment. You have been in the area for 10 years now, but it is never too late to improve, and if you follow my advice you will have the terrain completely pinpointed in 24 hours. Happy navigating, and remember, If you have any trouble following my navigational advice, I am available for consultation upon 24 hours notice. If you are having serious problems, and bombing the wrong target is fairly serious, I could be available sooner.
From the recent negotiations between US/ Taliban, it is becoming evident that the attack was deliberate to set aside Pakistan from Afghan reconciliation and the objective is well achieved.
Pakistanis seem to never let facts get in the way of their conclusions.
You mean this was not done before? I guess only the Taliban and Al Qaeda -- as well as other assorted militant groups -- have solid knowledge of the terrain on both sides of the border.
are u kidding us .. didnt we provided you with all the checkpost maps before the brutal attack? ...
I can imagine what these drones have been doing all these years. If they failed to identify a well established security post atop a mountain, meant to defend them (US, Allied and Afghan forces) from Taliban, why would one trust them for accuracy, when it comes to a less identifiable moving targets deep down among the local population. Or is it that drones no longer have a launching pad and the attacking jet fighters could not possibly see without the grounded surveillance gadget? But that happened after the attack, didn't it?
funny stuff.....how can Pakistan trust them when they can't even do a fair investigation? How about they stop being arrogant and admit what was clearly a deliberate attack and should punish those who were responsible and then maybe they can talk about building trust.