US, Pakistan continue to disagree

Patraeus renews Washington's demand for a full scale military offensive against Haqqani netwrork.


Kamran Yousaf November 04, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Top US and Pakistani military leadership stuck to their opposing stances on how to handle the Haqqani network in North Waziristan, making no headway in bringing both sides to a common ground.

Isaf chief in Afghanistan Gen David Patraeus in a meeting with Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani here on Wednesday renewed Washington’s demand for a full scale military offensive against the al Qaeda inspired Haqqani network, said military and diplomatic sources.

Patraeus told Gen Kayani that an operation against militants in North Waziristan is vital for achieving success against insurgents fighting Nato troops in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Led by an aging Jalaludin Haqqani and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani, the group has strong presence in eastern Afghanistan. It also has foot soldiers in several parts of the country to fight US-led Nato troops. Described as “as an epicentre of al Qaeda,” the Obama administration has been pressing Pakistan for months to eliminate the Haqqani network from its tribal belt.

A senior Pakistan military official said Gen Kayani ruled out going after the group in North Waziristan at this stage. “At some stage, we will have to carryout targeted and limited operation in the North Waziristan but there are no immediate plans,” said the official, who requested not to be named.

The two sides also have divergent views on the role of Haqqani network in any future political settlement in Afghanistan. Pakistan believes the group will certainly have a key role while the Americans think otherwise.

An Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) statement said very little about what transpired between Gen Kayani and Gen Patraeus. “The visiting dignitary remained with him for some time and discussed matters of professional interest,” said a short statement.

However, Foreign office spokesperson Abdul Basit tried to dispel the impression that Pakistan was under any US pressure to launch a military offensive in North Waziristan.  He insisted that Pakistan will take the decision by assessing its “national priorities.” “It will not take any US dictation,” the spokesperson said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2010.

COMMENTS (3)

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan has to choose between the Taliban, a bunch of thugs and US generosity in aid, on which Pakistan is heavily dependent. If Pakistan doesn't choose wisely then in about 3 to 4 years when the Americans exit out of Afghanistan, they will remember this and stop the aid on some pretext or the other. Considering the Taliban are hated by all of Afghanistan's neighbours and Pakistan's, this decision should be very easy. Plus, the Taliban have been successful in spreading their ideology to the Pakistani side. But, the actions of the Army suggest they have not learned their lessons or dont have a long-tern view of things.
Qais | 13 years ago | Reply thats good....its our country nd we should take steps according to our needs nd resources... in future...to save our country from these people, we have to learn to stand on our own foot...we should protect our sovereignty..we have to say no more instead do more to give an honourable pakistan to our coming generation
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ