Admiral Michael Mullen on mysterious visit to Islamabad

[pkpatriotic]

Sunday, July 13, 2008
This news By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir at "The NEWS"

ISLAMABAD: The tough-talking US military commander, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff Admiral Michael Mullen who came to Islamabad Saturday 'unannounced' from Kabul, had important meetings here including one with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and left for Washington the same day. No official from either side was prepared to comment on his activities on the soil of Pakistan except acknowledging that he was here for a day.

Mystery shrouding his 'secret' visit indicates that he was here with a different 'mission'. The spokesperson of the US embassy was ungenerous and somewhat economical with her words and offered no comments on this count. "I don't have the schedule of the Admiral," she said when asked about the number of hours Admiral Mullen stayed in Pakistan. On every query she said that he was here for a one-day visit.

Admiral Mullen has come to the region a number of times ever since he assumed the office two years ago. He met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul a day earlier and then had marathon discussions with his commanders who are facing the most difficult period of their stay in the war-torn country. It is believed that the admiral is in his last year of the command but he has certain plans to execute before leaving.

The US authorities have repeated their offer to provide specialised training to the personnel of the Frontier Corps for fighting terrorism and the government would seriously consider it, the sources said. But Pakistan at the same time is asking for improvement of coordination in efforts on counter-terrorism.

Pakistan is asking the US to improve intelligence sharing that is acutely limited despite the seven years of partnership in the so-called war on terror. The US administration has been reluctant to provide either electronic intercept equipment or raw intelligence about extremists, for fears best known to the Pentagon or State Department.

Earlier the admiral had said that he is working to supply shortage of military trainers for local security forces in Afghanistan and his top priority is to muster an additional brigade of US troops to carry out that mission. "I am pressing the system very hard to see if we can generate any additional trainers," he said.

The Washington Post correspondent in his dispatch from Kabul said Saturday that the admiral warned Friday that al-Qaeda leaders operating in Pakistan's tribal areas are planning new terrorist attacks against the United States, making it imperative that Pakistan's new government take action to eliminate their sanctuary there. He said that the al-Qaeda threat from Pakistan represents a "huge challenge" for the US, but said Pakistan has been lacking in its execution of a strategy to eradicate the safe havens for terrorists and insurgents in the lawless region known as the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). Mullen called on Pakistani authorities to enforce any deals they strike with tribal leaders in the FATA and to insist not only on the expulsion of al-Qaeda but also a halt to the flow of insurgents across the border into Afghanistan. However, Mullen predicted slow progress, citing Pakistan's complex tribal allegiances and sensitivities over sovereignty that have limited US military involvement in the region. "We're just not going to solve it overnight," said Mullen at a gathering of defence reporters. "It's going to take longer than most people realise."

Islamabad's ambassador to Washington, Hussain Haqqani, said other day that US leaders have told his government that if the United States suffers an attack that is traced back to Pakistan, Washington will have to take steps to retaliate. "Those [statements] have been made," Haqqani told editors and reporters Friday. "We want to make sure that it doesn't come to that." Haqqani reiterated that in targeting extremists, "Pakistani preference remains to not have outside forces' action on the Pakistan side of the border."

Despite overtures by a provincial leader and the Pakistani military, talks with extremists like Baitullah Mehsud have so far not produced any agreements, Haqqani said. "There will be no agreement similar to agreements of the past," he said, referring to earlier deals that either were not honoured or fell apart.

Haqqani listed new conditions his government will impose in any deal with insurgent groups. Fighters will now have to pledge not to launch attacks in either Pakistan or Afghanistan. All foreign fighters in the tribal areas must be expelled. And extremists must promise not to give safe haven to any group targeting any of Pakistan's allies, including the United States.

"That's something that American intelligence is very interested in," Haqqani said. "No safe haven or safe passage for any group that wants to plan attacks against any friend of Pakistan." Fighters will also have to promise to de-commission large weapons and account for smaller arms, the envoy said. Haqqani predicted that key players in the tribal areas will eventually comply with the government's demands. "There will be people other than those who belong to hard-core groups that would be willing to agree to these conditions, and those are the reconcilable people that we would like on board," he said. "There are people from the tribal areas, from the Mehsud tribe for example, that would be willing to subscribe to these conditions in return for the benefits."

"We intend to overcome any misgivings that have undermined intelligence sharing in the past," Pakistan's envoy said.

 

[pkpatriotic]

Mullen’s unannounced visit fuels speculation
Sunday, July 13, 2008
By Qudssia Akhlaque
ISLAMABAD: US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen, who arrived here on an announced visit on Saturday, held back-to-back meetings with the top Pakistani political and military leadership to share evidence of the American claims that responsible elements within the country's security agencies were giving comprehensive support to Taliban and al-Qaeda elements.

His short but crucial visit coincided with reports that large-scale military attacks by the Nato-led coalition forces in the country's tribal areas were imminent. Notably, Mullen arrived here following his announcement he made in Kabul that Pakistan's tribal areas had become a safe haven for "militants and extremists" and that the US had prepared a strategy for dealing with the alarming situation.

Mullen was accompanied by key CIA officials who were also present in the meetings he held separately with the Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Director-General Military Operations Lt. Gen. Pasha.

According to sources privy to the meetings, the evidence given by the Americans was "non-specific" and it was refuted by the government team, using specific facts. Apparently, the Americans were quite aggressive in their claims.

Mullen also met some members of the mini-Jirga Commission. As of now, the Jirga members include ANP leaders Afsandyar Wali Khan, Afrasiab Khattak and chief of PKMAP Mehmood Khan Achakzai.

During Mullen's hour-long meeting with the prime minister, Rehman Malik, adviser to the PM on Interior, also participated in the talks.

General Kayani, in his meeting with Mullen, reportedly reiterated Pakistan's deep concern over the US attack on Pakistani posts in Mohmand area on the Pak-Afghan border, which killed 11 Pakistani paramilitary troops.

The Mullen visit, which was kept under wraps by the government, was finalised a week back, according to informed sources. While the Americans apparently leaked the information about his visit, the government remained tight-lipped about it and there was no word even from the ISPR.

The unnecessary 'silence' on the part of Pakistani government is likely to fuel speculations about the nature of the visit.

Mullen arrived here at a time when the American Press has been reflecting the US official position that Pakistan is failing to tackle the growing problem of militancy.

In fact, recent international media reports have claimed that American intelligence agencies have evidence that individuals belonging to Pakistani security agencies have been providing serious levels of support to the Taliban and members of al-Qaeda. This assertion, although not new, has acquired significance against the backdrop of increased attacks by the US-led coalition forces in Pakistan's tribal territory.

 

[fatman17]

i think final warning has been given to the civilian and military authorities. there is going to be hell breaking loose in the FATA.

 

[maqsad]

So is the US trying to annex parts of FATA and NWFP now? Looks like the Aircraft carrier has been moved to send a message to PAF not to shoot down USAF planes and UAVs on sorties over FATA, or what? I know thousands of NATO and ANA troops are massing on the FATA border.

 

[JK!]

The situation is similar to Turkey and the PKK rebels.

In my opinion if US troops are being attacked by miscreants who take refuge in FATA then to hell with the rules of engagement get the bastard-s

 

[maqsad]

But I don't understand why the PA is not called in to hunt these people down, especially the ones arriving from Chechnia, Uzbekistan, North Africa etc etc. This is what the CIA was whining about that some mysterious "jihadi websites" are encouraging foreigners to come to FATA instead of going to Iraq. If this rubbish is true the PA would not be allowing those fighters to stay in FATA and neither would the local tribals. This does not make sense.

Also is NATO blind? Are they equipped with sunglasses for night operations? Why can't they put listening and video devices near the border and then act on THEIR SIDE to catch people slipping through, why do they look so hard on the pakistani side when they can't even handle their own side? Is there an invisible cloak factory in FATA?

 

[fatman17]

But I don't understand why the PA is not called in to hunt these people down, especially the ones arriving from Chechnia, Uzbekistan, North Africa etc etc. This is what the CIA was whining about that some mysterious "jihadi websites" are encouraging foreigners to come to FATA instead of going to Iraq. If this rubbish is true the PA would not be allowing those fighters to stay in FATA and neither would the local tribals. This does not make sense.

Also is NATO blind? Are they equipped with sunglasses for night operations? Why can't they put listening and video devices near the border and then act on THEIR SIDE to catch people slipping through, why do they look so hard on the pakistani side when they can't even handle their own side? Is there an invisible cloak factory in FATA?

maqsad - try to understand this - the PA is now working under a civilian govt. the govt. is dealing with the militants and the US and NATO which by the way is not appreciated by the Bush Admn. they were used to dealing with one man (Musharraf) but now the ground realities are different.when the US generals visit with gen Kiyani, he agrees with their world-view but at the same time lets them know that the PA can only do what the govt. tells them to do. this is what the US congress wants - a democratic govt to which it is going to give a democracy dividend of US 1.5 bill soon. now our leaders dont know how to deal with this current situation and are vasillating as time is running out.

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

This report indicates that nothing seem to have changed even if Musharraf is not calling the shots.

US continues to call the shots!!

 

[maqsad]

maqsad - try to understand this - the PA is now working under a civilian govt. the govt. is dealing with the militants and the US and NATO which by the way is not appreciated by the Bush Admn. they were used to dealing with one man (Musharraf) but now the ground realities are different.when the US generals visit with gen Kiyani, he agrees with their world-view but at the same time lets them know that the PA can only do what the govt. tells them to do. this is what the US congress wants - a democratic govt to which it is going to give a democracy dividend of US 1.5 bill soon. now our leaders dont know how to deal with this current situation and are vasillating as time is running out.

Ok what you said makes some sense and it explains why some tribals are not being attacked but what about the foreign fighters? Gen Kiyani is under orders to negotiate with the Taliban by the civilian govt but he is NOT under orders to leave alone chechniyans, egyptians, north africans and uzbeks who are moving into FATA. PPP is only telling Kiyani to stop attacking FATA tribals..my question was why isn't the ISI hunting down the Uzbeks, Chechyans, Egyptians, Saudis and North africans in FATA. They don't need the PPP-PML's permission to do that.

 

[genmirajborgza786]

Pakistan's Islamist party warns of U.S. action in tribal regions


English_Xinhua 2008-07-13 18:34:24 Print

ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's major Islamic party said Sunday that the United States is planning attacks on the country's tribal regions, adding that the whole nation will fight back if the U.S. dared any such action.

"If the United States violated our frontiers, we will have the right to declare a war," Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Qazi Hussain Ahmed told a news conference Sunday in Peshawar, the capital of the North West Frontier Province.

"Pakistani nation will show resistance if the United States tried to interfere. Any action against our interest would be declaration of war," Ahmed said.

The concern was expressed a day after U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen paid an unannounced visit to Pakistan.

Mullen, whose visit was sudden and not announced earlier, met Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, according to local media.

The officials and the U.S embassy were also tight lipped over the visit, which took place amidst reports that the U.S was planning action in Pakistan's tribal areas against al-Qaida and Taliban militants.

Senior U.S security officials insist that al-Qaida is sending foreign fighters to Pakistan's tribal regions to plan attacks.

Afghan officials also complain that al-Qaida and Taliban are planning attacks inside Afghanistan in the Pakistani tribal regions.

"Any American intervention will be considered as action against the country," the Jamaat-e-Islami leader said.

"We want to ask friends of the United States that if the U.S goes for enmity, we will also adopt the same policy. If the Americans treat us as a friend, we will react in the same way," Ahmed said.

He asked the government to end the so-called alliance with the United States, adding that there is a need to strengthen relations with Muslim nations.

"The U.S should quit Afghanistan and Iraq and Palestinians should be given their rights," the Jamaat leader said.

Ahmed dispelled the impression that the northwestern city of Peshawar is facing any threat from the local Taliban.

"There is no threat to Peshawar from the local Taliban. There is threat to the country from the United States and American agents," he said.


Editor: Sun Yunlong

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/13/content_8538860.htm

 

[genmirajborgza786]

Pakistan sets limits on hunt for Osama bin Laden
The Associated PressPublished: July 13, 2008

NEW YORK: The top diplomat for Pakistan has said that there are currently no foreign military representatives in Pakistan hunting for Osama bin Laden, and that none would be allowed into the country to search for him.

In an interview Saturday, the Pakistani foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said the new government of Pakistan had ruled out such military operations, covert or otherwise, to catch militants including Osama bin Laden, the head of Al Qaeda.

"Our government's policy is that our troops, paramilitary forces and our regular forces are deployed in sufficient numbers," Qureshi said.

"They are capable of taking action there. And any foreign intrusion would be counterproductive. People will not accept it. Questions of sovereignty come in."

The United States has grown increasingly frustrated as Al Qaeda, the Taliban and other militants thrive in Pakistan's remote areas and in neighboring Afghanistan, where the United States has offered to contribute troops to strike at terror networks.

Critics in Washington also have expressed frustration with the new Pakistani government's pursuit of peace deals in the region. Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere in the Afghan-Pakistan border region.

The newly elected civilian government of Pakistan is negotiating with tribal elders to secure peace with militants along the Afghan border in hopes of curbing a surge in violence. It is a step back from the heavy-handed tactics pursued by the previous government led by supporters of President Pervez Musharraf.

Tension between the United States and Pakistan have been high since Pakistan said U.S. aircraft killed 11 of its soldiers at a border post in June. U.S. officials have said that coalition aircraft dropped bombs during a clash with militants.

Despite statements by Pakistan saying that it does not allow U.S. forces on its territory, villagers in the border region that is a haven for Al Qaeda and Taliban fighters have reported seeing U.S. drones fire missiles at suspected militant targets on several occasions in recent years.

Qureshi said he tried to reassure Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at a meeting Friday that his government was doing everything it could to combat militants in lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly exchange criticisms about not doing more to fight extremists operating along their long, remote, mountainous border that is seen by the United States as crucial to stopping terrorism.

Qureshi acknowledged that "there are some infiltrations" still occurring, but said that there are no covert U.S. military operations trying to catch bin Laden or other Qaeda figures, Taliban members or any other suspected militants.

"There are none," he said. "It will create such an anti-U.S. feeling in Pakistan that I would say would mar the atmosphere of cooperation that exists between us," he said.

Qureshi described Pakistani counterterrorism efforts as having a "grassroots" approach. "Our strategy is that the military option alone is not enough," he said. "This war has to be fought besides the armies, with the help of the people, by winning hearts and minds."

When asked if he believed that bin Laden was still in Pakistan, he said: "I don't think so. I'm not sure," he said.

"Nobody's aware of that. Nobody can speak with certainty. But our policy's very clear. We are allies in this war. And if Pakistan has actionable information vis-a-vis Osama bin laden or any other high value target, Pakistan will immediately take action."

Pakistan sets limits on hunt for Osama bin Laden - International Herald Tribune

 

[genmirajborgza786]

No one could dare to challenge Country’s sovereignty: Prime Minister

PESHAWAR, July 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Sunday declared in unequivocal terms that Pakistan is a sovereign state and nobody could dare to challenge its sovereignty and rebuffed the notion of any foreign attack on its soil.Talking to local journalists here at Bilour House after condolence with Bilour brothers over the demise of their mother, the Prime Minister said, “no body could dare to cast an ugly eye on country’s sovereignty and the nation has all the potential to defend itself from the foreign aggression “.
To a question, he said that we should also point out the enemies within ourselves, behaved in a responsible manner and should be honest and loyal to our country. He said this in the backdrop of incidents of terrorism in the country.
In response to a question about the recent visit of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen, the Prime Minister said it was a routine visit aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Sates as he said that both countries have strong bilateral relations in the field of defence, security, education, health and other fields.
He said the visit by the top US defence official should not be taken in wrong way and the present government would not take any decision that goes against its interest.
The Prime Minister strongly condemned killing of the Frontier
Constabulary personnel in Hangu district by the miscreants and said the security
men were cheated by the militants as according to him the security personnel were
on their way for negotiations for the release of hostages. It was a cowardly act,
which was also condemned by the general public in strong words, he added.
He fully complimented the valor and chivalry of the Frontier Constabulary Force in the line of their duty. “I salute them for their bravery who are performing their national duty in extremely difficult conditions”, he maintained.
About expansion in the federal cabinet, the Prime Minister said we are
expanding it as we are currently working with a very small cabinet, which he said
would be enlarged with the consent of the ruling partners. “Ours initial cabinet was too small but resignations by the PML (N) minister over burdened the cabinet”, he explained.
When asked about the payment of net hydel profit to the NWFP, the Prime Minister said, National Finance Commission was being constituted for just and equitable distribution of the national resources amongst the federating units and added that “we want to give provincial autonomy provinces and support giving due rights to the smaller provinces”.
Referring to flour especially inter provincial ban on wheat, the Prime Minister said he has requested the Chief Minister of all the four provinces to discuss the same in the federal cabinet meeting so that the matter could be resolved on sound footings.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani strongly denounced the reports about US attack on Pakistan in its hot pursuit against militants and said that the visit by the US admiral was a routine matter and there was nothing to worry about. In reply to a question, he said the federal government was at the back of the frontier government in its efforts to contain Talibanization and declared that there was no danger to Peshawar or any other part of the province. The government was not oblivious to its responsibilities in meeting the challenges of establishing lasting peace and harmony in the country. He said he held detailed talks with the Governor NWFP and Chief Minister over the prevailing situation in Fata and reviewed the security arrangements taken by the provincial government. Every step was being taken for the maintenance of peace in the tribal areas and NWFP, he added. “We are with the people and will take those decisions which the people wants”, he told a questioner. He said the government was extending all possible help and assistance to the law enforcing agencies to effectively counter the threat of terrorism and the federal government was also supporting the peace endeavors of the frontier government.
In reply to a question, the Prime Minister said the menace of terrorism and extremism badly tarnished image of the county abroad and it is high time that the entire nation should stand and unite against evil designs of a handful of elements. People wanted prosperity and development and earnestly desired that Pakistan should attain a dignified status among comity of nations as a peace loving and prosper state, he said, adding, we all have to play our role to this effect in a forceful manner. Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, Federal Ministers Raja Pervez Ashraf, Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Senator Babar Awan were present on the occasion. Earlier the Prime Minister had a meeting with Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani and Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti at Bilour House wherein matters relating to peace and security in the restive parts of the frontier province were deliberated upon. Chief Secretary NWFP Sahibzada Riaz Noor and IGP Malik Naveed were present on the occasion.

Associated Press Of Pakistan