A file photo of US soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division walk past an armoured vehicle at the forward operating base in Ghazni on May 23, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The United States has rejected as “inaccurate” reports appearing in the US media as well as Afghan claims that Washington planned to hand over surplus armoured vehicles and other military equipment to Pakistan.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Pentagon may give Pakistan some of the $7 billion worth armoured vehicles and other equipment it needs to dispose of now that the war in Afghanistan is nearing its end.
On March 18, Afghanistan’s ‘Mashrano Jirga’ expressed concern over a US decision to hand over its military equipment to Pakistan after taking out from Afghanistan.
The Afghan Senate described the decision a “breach of agreement in the war on terror and if the US is honest to its promises in the war on terror it should avoid giving weapons to a country which supports terrorism and is involved in shedding bloods of the Afghans, Americans and other nations,” the Afghan official Bakhtar news agency reported.
At the same time, the US Army has said, “The United States Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) has seen the inaccurate media reports stating that excess military equipment will be given to Pakistan. These reports are not correct. USFOR-A does not provide or intend to provide any such equipment from Afghanistan to Pakistan.”
“Our commitment to the Afghan people and the Afghan National Security Forces is unwavering,” said General Joseph F Dunford Jr, commander of the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said in a statement received here.
The Washington Post had reported the US and Pakistani officials have been discussing the fate of the leftover military hardware that the United States does not want to pay to ship or fly home.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam expressed “deep dismay and disappointment” over what she had viewed as unfounded allegations levelled at her country.
“The world knows how seriously Pakistan has suffered from the scourge of terrorism and extremism over the past three decades, emanating primarily from the conflict and instability beyond our borders,” she had told a weekly briefing.
Aimal Faizi, the Afghan presidential spokesman, says Kabul would object if the US decides to give arms to Pakistan. Faizi told the Voice of America Afghan service last week that his country would oppose such a move. “Afghan security forces need this type of equipment and the US needs to consult with Afghanistan before making such a decision.” said Faizi.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 30th, 2014.
COMMENTS (46)
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@Back to the future: You guys have stopped feeling any shame in begging now. Have'nt you?
@Al-Bakistan: Oh really? Is that why US has supplied latest F-16 fighter jets, and advanced air-to-air missiles, and precision attack munitions to PAF, self-propelled artillery, and attack helicopters with TOW missiles to Pakistan Army, and ship to Pakistan Navy? Your ignorance of factual realty betrays the hollowness of your comment.
@Polpot: As if we care, huh !!
@Candid1: @Zig: First of all I made a sarcastic statement related to the common Pakistani reaction against Afghans. Pakistani do live and work with full citizenship rights in all western countries and with no human rights of any kind in the Arab countries. You are right the per capita income of Pakistanis in the US is much higher than in Arab countries where there are no min wages like $10/hour. There are not all taxpaying Pakistanis in USA and Canada. In fact most people bring their parents who not only free babysit their grand-kid but also receive welfare cash and medical benefits without contributing anything to the US. In fact in Canada there are thousands of welfare receiving Pakistanis. I have visited them and seen the areas where they live. I respect Afghan refugees specially those born in Pakistan as equal citizens of Pakistan just like our kids who are born in any western country with full rights. Regards, M
Why people commenting have the opinion that we have done a great favor to afghans. We have received dollars for that job. And what we have done, supporting a theocratic government, fueling insurgency and destroying whole social and physical Infrastructure.
What you all will feel if Afghan government started supporting TTP to takeover pakistan.
All these arguments are moot. The fact of the matter is, the US will never ever supply high-tech weaponry to Pakistan for two reasons. 1.) OBL being found nestling near a high-security military academy. 2.) Pakistan's material support for the Haqqani network and its machinations in Afghanistan. These two aspects are game-changers in the Pakistan-US dynamic. They have no parallel in the 65 history of bilateral relations between the two nations. The past might not be a very good pointer to the future in this case.
@consider: "Pakistan is one of the West’s most hated countries. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Also India's.
It is true that Pakistanis (unlike many crazy americans) do not "Hate" americans. As a matter of fact i would say even OBL does not hate americans or westerners, from some of the western news reports he asked his children to go and live in england and himself tried the same bit. i think it was a policy much like 'the rock' film that he was following, offcourse, he was wrong, but blame also goes to people who snubbed dialogue and are still doing that (remember there are people and regimes who want the war and terror to continue as it provides life line to the likes of assad, russians, chinese, iranian, gulf monarchs, sissis and others by providing them a Mr NObody), even the western govts have found a useful tool by keeping terror alive, imagine the job this war has created in an otherwise economy that is at complete standstill and not producing enough jobs
I will not reply to unbelievable. He appears to actually believe what the Americans say, and we have undisputed proof that the Americans routinely tell lies, and make third rate equipment. Even the average American prefers foreign equipment such as Japanese cars..
@Major Iqbal: Think about what serving India has done for Afghanistan : Nothing. Afghanistan should worry about itself instead of being Indian puppet. The big joke is that no matter what weapons Afghanistan government gets, it will be useless since that country is always going to have civil war since the ethnic groups there all hate each other be they Tajik, Uzbek, Hazara or Turkmen.
@Major Iqbal: whats your beef with Pakistan, are you an idiot indian extremist, buddy it is not about hating it is about being constructive, dont show your true colors in public
@AFG: It is not Pakistan carrying out terrorist act in Afghanistan, it is your very own Afghan people. If Afghans cannot live with Afghans, then that is not Pakistan's problem. If you really believe that Pakistan give sanctuary to Afghan terrorists, then please put forward a plan to take back 3+ million Afghans living off Pakistan, and then you can deal with your own people in your own country in any way you like. Until you refuse to settle your own people in your own country, stop being ungrateful for Pakistan's generosity.
@Zig:
Sounds great .. now explain why Pakistanis celebrated 911 massacre, protested OBL death, and no American can live/travel inside Pakistan without fear of his/her life?
@Mirza: Unlike the Afghans in Pakistan, Pakistanis in USA are not living as refugees on state subsidies and charity. They do not hate the USA and are living there as very worthwhile members of society, and paying taxes for the benefits they enjoy in America. On the other hand all Afghans have contributed to Pakistan are drugs, weapons, extremism, and suicide bombers. Afghans return to Afghanistan is way overdue, we should have never let them in the first place and let them be Soviet slaves.
@Mirza: I don't think you are correct Pakistanis may disagree with US policies, but that does not mean they hate Americans America is Pakistanis largest trading partner and we will always be allies
@Careful reader:
What did Pakistan's government do? All you did was distribute American, Chinese, Saudi and Israeli weapons to the Afghans.
Big deal!
@Careful reader:
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Pakistan's agent, received millions in aid from the Americans and Saudis, and he achieved no major victories against the Soviets.
The same Gulbuddin wasn't even able to take Kabul from his fellow Afghans, and you think he was able to defeat the Soviets?
The US Military in Afghanistan had always disagreements with the US civilian government over Pakistan's ill-intention of interfering in Afghanistan which resulted in the loss of lives of their troops. The US Military commanders and contractors will lobby against the move of handing over these surplus arms to Pakistan - even if such deal is being discussed between the US and Pakistani governments. Since the US consider both Afghanistan and Pakistan as the failed states, the 'left overs' would surely go to a third country in the region; may be to Tajikistan or Uzbekistan.
Not only do the Afghans look at Pakistan with scorn but so do the Iranians, the Bengalis, the Bahrainis and the Palestinians.
Why do Afghans abhor Pakistanis?
Perhaps because Pakistan has fomented insurgency in Afghanistan since 1978, and your meddling has bought nothing but misery to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
You should treat Afghanistan as a sovereign state and not as your satellite and the region will flourish.
@Careful reader:
Oh for God's sake. That canard is as dangerous as it is popular. The Soviets won all the battles in Afghanistan and occupied the entire country.
The Soviets left the country because they couldn't identify any leadership to negotiate with.
One million Afghans were martyred during the Afghan-Soviet war. If that is a victory, what does a defeat look like?
When reports first appears about this multi Billion dollar potential gift Pakistan commentators showed zero appreciation and talked about the USA using Pakistan as a dumping ground .... it didn't matter than used USA equipment is vastly superior to the current unarmored mini trucks that Pakistan depends on. Given Afghanistan's concerns over this gift I don't blame the American's for the change in direction.
it should avoid giving weapons to a country which supports terrorism and is involved in shedding bloods of the Afghans, Americans and other nations . That pretty much summarizes Afghanistan's feelings about Pakistan ... probably summarizes what the American public believes as well.
The repatriation of Afghans from Pakistan is not simple. Afghans hate Pakistan less than Pakistani hate the ways of life and the US. Why don't we repatriate all the Pakistanis from the USA just like the demands for sending the Afghans back to their country. We have to walk the walk and talk and not by a hypocrite all the time.
Pakistan and America are allies (inspite / regardless of the ups and downs).
US should reconsider and assist our poor troops who have lightly protected vehicles and so take terrible casualties.
It would be a great strategic error to leave this in Afghanistan.
Most of these Afghan politicians will run to the offshore accounts (funded by poor US tax payers) at the first sight of trouble.
Remember what happened when US sent arms to Pakistan to fight communists under various military pacts back in forties and fifties? Pakistan promptly started attacks on India. It is very hard for Pakistanis cannot contain themselves from getting puffed up in their Islamic zeal and fervour and unleashing death and destruction, unprovoked.
@Zog: If they hate Pakistan so much, why do they let their 3m compatriots stay in Pakistan? Zog ji, applying the same logic - Pakistani take aid from America and in return hate that country so much. why do you let your compatriots move to West and live in western countries?
Without spare parts manufacturing plant pakistan no need to purchase those equipment. Without manfacturing plant pak military depends on america. So we dont need to think about to buy those. Its for afghan brothers who bravly fight with american soldiers. Every one knows whoz our safae awal. Appreciate afghan , pak to kick off america. Such an idiot who choose pakistan,s way to waR in afghanistan. Proud to be muslims.
@MAB: haha! The butthurt is clearly visible; you say left overs?? That's exactly what your country has been given ever since its conception - left overs! From land to money to arms to even friendship!
I have seen hollywood "Lord of War". I know where it will go...
....and history repeats itself.......lets see what the consequences will be this time.
Well we all Afghans are always thankful to Pakistani Public for what they have done for us and are still doing but please come over for few days and spend few nights in Afghanistan and you will realize, why such reaction is given to Pakistan when something happens in Afghanistan.
If you look at the facts Pakistan is fueling all the terrorism problems into Afghanistan and if you think its not then why are they keeping Afghan Talibs in safe heaven over their from where they can put a fight against Afghan public. I am not against Talibs too but when you look at all these killings then you think Y.
If you only look at what happened at Kabul Serena hotel where a child two year old lost all his family (His mother, Father, Brother 5, Sister 6) and is the only survivors because some of the Terrorists sitting in Quetta don't like Afghans to have fun or enjoy their life. Do you think its fair. We cannot visit any of the socializing place because all of them have been attacked in the past few years.
Well my brothers and sisters don't be so upset about the equipments you will get more then what you are offered but we should try to solve bigger problem on the both sides through which people are killed on both sides and through which hatred is getting fueled between the two brotherly countries. I still have my best friend in Pakistan and I still love him the same as I did but their are certain facts which you all have to realize and help Afghans on this side.
USA should understand that loaded guns in hand of a problem child is sucide.influx of arms have got pakistan where it is. Left over of afghan war arms have already undone pakistan , n now u plan to give more ?
@PeaceMonger: I don't think Pakistan wants to take control of this equipment which is expensive to maintain and does not serve its needs. What is more telling is the reaction of thankless Afghanis who use Pakistan at every chance, run to Pakistan for shelter and food but also allow their country to be used as a base for illegal activities against Pakistan. It was told by US Senator Chuck Hagel that Afghanistan allows India to use that country as a base for carrying out criminal acts to destabilize Pakistan. The nation which is the epicentre of terrorism and instability is Afghanistan. Pakistan should remember such actions and statements from Afghanistan when the refugees come again.
if the Afghan senate thinks that way then we must say them good bye. No more extension for refugees. USA must give this equipment as our politicians and leaders need more security and the increased bill must be compensated
@wajid Lost so many lives because land of pure differentiates between good fanatics "strategic assets" (anti eastern-western neighbour, anti west) & bad fanatics(anti pak). Only those that target You are attacked. While safe havens are provided to others. What is forgotten is all these groups are interconnected and are co-dependant on each other for survival,you can't segregate them. More lives will be in danger if action is not taken, against "all" extremist targeting your nation as well as others. Stoping countries from doing your background job, exterminating pests won't be effective. It will only provide fanatics safe breeding ground to spread. That would be very dangerous situation my friend. Routing them completely is the only option.
@Wajid: Nope. They only see what their media tells them and their media toes their government's line. Pakistan is one of the West's most hated countries.
@MAB: If Pakistan limits itself to what it manufactures, it will be excellent for the world. Pakistan's self-sufficiency in arms should be encouraged to the utmost.
I think Pak should stoped and take over these armoured vehicles passing by Pak as we are fighting for world and even they not bother to extend help. We lost 60 thousand people since 9/11. Cant they see all that mess happen in Pak???
So , Now Afghanistan clearly declare To Pakistan as pro terrorist state. Karzi govt continuously chorus in International media if any attack happen in Kabul ,the Pakistan is behind the attack. Afghan govt are accusing Pak at every available forum and now they first published story some where in US media, that USA are handing over some used armoured vehicles to Pak, after the story publish, they start campaign to oppose any such thing. The real thing is that the first published story of giving armoured vehicles to Pak was on request publish story with help of Indians as USA clearly said we had no such intentions they y such story surfaced???
So much for our foreign policies as well as a total lack of grace on Afghan side by blaming everything at Pakistan's door for all their failures.
If we take this equipment we will have to pay them for costly spare parts and training. The cost of maintaining the equipment is usually much more than the initial cost of buying it which is one reason why they are dumping it here. Also our dependency on the west will only increase.
This equipment is worth billions.
Can the Afghan Govt sell it and pay for the repatriation of the 3m Afghans from Pakistan back to Afghanistan?
If they hate Pakistan so much, why do they let their 3m compatriots stay in Pakistan?
Very sad news.
Pak Army soldiers are taking high casualties in FATA in their lightly protected pick ups.
Karzai and Co will be off to look after their alleged US tax payer funded billions in Gulf in the very near term
Beggars belief that US will shred rather than give to Pak Army just because Afghans are objecting. If left in Afghan hands, does US really think they will stay in those hands?
I hope the US shows some metal and gives at least 1000 MRAPs to Pakistan so our boys are not needlessly killed and maimed.
With sincere neighbours like these we don't need Enemies. Thank you Afghan Brothers for repaying our hospitality of accommodating you for 35 years with Shuch Gestures. Thanks to your attitudes Pakistan has attained self sufficiency at Arms Manufacturing. Enjoy the "Left Overs"...
Any surplus armor should be left to the Afghanistan army. They need it to defend themselves.