MASSACHUSETTS/ WELLESLEY:
Ending weeks of speculation, the United States said on Friday it is designating the Haqqani network as a terrorist organisation, in a move that will turn the heat on Pakistan where the group is allegedly based.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she has told the Congress that she will brand the Haqqani network as a foreign terrorist organisation, subjecting the group and its members to additional sanctions, including an asset freeze.
A US official said the formal designation would be made in the coming days.
“We also continue our robust campaign of diplomatic, military and intelligence pressure on the network, demonstrating the United States’ resolve to degrade the organisation’s ability to execute violent attacks,” said Clinton, who was in Vladivostok, Russia for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.
The Obama administration is facing a congressional deadline this weekend to determine whether the network met the criteria for such designation.
A senior US official, requesting anonymity, said Pakistani leaders did not express concern over the move. US officials did not foresee the designation having a negative impact on relations with Pakistan, he added.
Another US official said they will also be talking to government officials from countries where they believe the Haqqani network has assets and urge them to freeze those assets.
Haqqani reaction
Senior Haqqani commanders warned the US that the designation would hurt Afghan peace, telling Reuters that it showed Washington was not sincere about peace efforts in Afghanistan.
“It means the United States is not sincere in their talks. They are on the one hand claiming to look for a political solution to the Afghan issue while on the other they are declaring us terrorists,” said one of the commanders.
The commanders also said it would bring hardship for America’s only prisoner of war, Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is being held by the militants.
“Until now we treated him very well but this move by the United States will of course create hardships for him,” said another Haqqani commander.
‘Internal matter’
Pakistan described the move as an internal matter for the United States.
“This is an internal matter for the United States. It is not our business. The Haqqanis are not Pakistani nationals. We will continue to work with all international partners, including the US in combating extremism and terrorism,” Pakistan Embassy in Washington said in a statement.
However, officials say the American move would increase pressure on the Pakistani government.
A senior Pakistani security official said blacklisting the Haqqani network would be counterproductive and would put unnecessary pressure on Islamabad, a strategic US ally.
“If the United States wants to have a constructive relationship with Pakistan, then this is a bad move,” the official told Reuters. “This will push Pakistan into a corner.”
Mafia group
The Haqqanis run a sophisticated and diverse financial network comparable to a mafia group, according to a July report by the Centre for Combating Terrorism.
It said the group raised money through kidnapping, extortion and drug trafficking but also had a business portfolio that included import/export, transport, real estate and construction interests in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Persian Gulf. (With additional input from Reuters)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2012.
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While India prepares to be part of the exclusive of P5 club of nations (United States/ China/ Russia/France & UK), Pakistan is preparing to be part of the exclusive T5 club of nations (North Korea /Yemen/ Iran/Sudan & Syria)
Pakistanis are paying for atrocities against Shias in their country.
@Raj - USA:
More like 'Operation Screw it up'- another example of the US's misguided policies in Afghanistan which will never save them from inevitable defeat- however they may try and dress it up.
This probably is the "Operation Tight Screw". Haqqanis & US tightening from the two ends and Pakistan caught in between.
If Pakistan has nothing to do with the Haqqani network and if they are in Afghanistan as Pakistan claims, then why all the fuss?
Be stopped the drones which convert the supporters into enemies.
The fact,attributed to this new approach is that time has changed,American has forgot the role played by Huqqani freedom fighters at the time of Russian occupation.that time,should remember,United States supported Haqqni freedom fighters with arms and honor
Now time has changed,America is not only aggressor but also occupier,still occupation on the country Afghanistan.
The war in Afghanistan,consisting on more than a decade,Pushtun fighters has been facing hot and hard circumstances,they are not enemy of Taliban,they are essential part of Taliban.American leadership has failed to bring Taliban to the negotiating table and also failed to remove Taliban's reservations so they are compelled to change the tool in hand.
It is not good decision,they are going to take,it would proved not favorable regarding the Afghan peace process.It would create more insurgency in Afghanistan and bordering areas with Pakistan.
New designation,that is being considered by American authority is a direct leading to more unrest,more insurgency,more warfare,guerilla warfare and involvement of other concerned quarters that would be not tolerable or acceptable.
Pakistan as a ally in war on terror is playing vital role regarding the peace process would have been pushed in the corner.
Reconsideration of the designation is a dire need of the time which has badly embarrassed Pakistani military and civilian leadership.
Although a part of me wishes to remain quiet and allow Pakistan's natural tendency to move towards self destruction. I will help you Pakistani's save yourself, your nation and your military. Please feel free to disregard my statements. The Haqqani Network will become the next Al Queda. It will be utilized and blamed entirely on the continued presence and occupation of Afghanistan. It will be used as a new means of passifying the American Public. At that point the United States will have no choice but to take decisive military action originally within the confines of Pakistan against the Haqqani which may spark a hot war in which the United States will permanently devastate all of Pakistan's defenses within a matter of hours. Remember my words. You were warned.
“This will push Pakistan into a corner.” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A corner entirely of Pakistan's own making.
Is this the result of the cancellation of the US General's visit two weeks ago?
Pakistan will definitely be better off without doing USA's beckoning. Fighting in Waziristan is like fighting at home. They are our people and are neglected from mainstream national life by our myopic and bucolic political leaders.
Also, to blame are their outdated and outmoded tribal customs that acquire precedence many a times over religion also. This is not to exclude other provinces of Pakistan (Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Baluchistan)
To quote an adage, "The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing"….John Powell
Salams