http://www.brecorder.com/pdf/Drones.pdf
Perhaps you can begin here and are you sure you have no problems with the proposition that Pakistan have asked for reaper type drones from the US? Now, is that because they are opposed to drone operations? Or is it a reflection of seeking to mitigate the political fallout, the apologetic stance we spoke of?
I went through the report and here are my observations.
Page 2, last para: The reference to Pakistani agents being on board and playing a role on target selection and assist on providing ground/humint. Of course, the ISI is sharing intel with the US. Point is, the US must stop acting without joint approval of Pakistan. Problem arises when US kills ‘X’ without Pakistani consent, not when US kill ‘Y’ with Pakistani consent. Pakistan seeking drones is tantamount to Pakistan seeking Augusta 9, J10, or F-16. Its another tool of war. Does Pakistan Air Force lets US pilots fly our jets? Similarly, WE need to operate drones IF these drones will operate in Pakistan Air Space, not the US.
Page3, para 1: CIA has to decide whether it is a rouge assassin or intel agency. It cannot play judge jury and executioner in today’s world. The writer insinuates that since it is easy to just kill these terrorists rather then bring them to trial, is the defeat of morality. Who is the CIA to decide upon someones life or death? One day the CIA will decide that YOU are a terrorist and send a drone to your office or home, how dandy will that sit with you? These operations are making the role of ICJ and UN and International community redundant. I thought the CIA gave up its policy of assassination in the 60s-70s. Then what is this?
Page3, para 14: Obama justified using hellfire missiles to kill OBL and other terrorists even at the expense of human civilians. Then I suppose by the same standards, these terrorists are also justified of doing what they do keeping in mind 60 years of rape, pillage and subversive tactics all across the Muslim world. In essence, the US started it first. OBL ‘supposidly’ killed 3000 in 9/11, and drones have killed 35000 civilians in Pakistan. Its atrocious, if law of the jungle is it, then sometimes the deers also end up killing the cheetahs. So be it!
Page5, para 1: Us claims that only 50 or so civilians have been killed and those too were the family of the prime target. Two points here.
i) So under the same paradigm, if Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Iraq decides to bomb the families of the US troops it would be ok for the US?
ii) Pakistan claims the conservative numbers are 3500. Who is US to deny these figures? The numbers put forward by US beats the intellect of a layman, leave alone people like us who are students of war and know what kind of destruction a certain weapon platform is capable of delivering. Whatever happened to the US being the champion of democracy and bastian against oppression? Nonsensical!
Page6, para 1: verbatim from the report: “Mary Ellen O’Connell of the University of Notre Dame Law School said:“We just don’t have the right to bomb people where there’s no armed conflict,” drawing a contrast between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where U.S. forces are waging a nearly nine-year-old war”
Even if militants use Pakistan as a staging ground for Afghan attacks, O’Connell said the sovereign boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan must be respected. “The United States is not fighting in self-defense against Pakistan.
We do not hold Pakistan responsible for cross-border incursions into Afghanistan and may not, lawfully, use military force in Pakistan in response to those incursions,” she said.
Page 6, 5th last para: When the Us states that they could have captured some terrorist but DECIDED to kill him, is a blatant disregard of their own policy, and those of the UNSC. That’s whats called taking the law in your own hands.
Page 7, para 5: verbatim from the report: verbatim from the report: An American diplomat tells a story about a meeting he had with Pakistani parliamentarians that offers a window into the tough position that nation is in when it comes to the drone attacks. The message from each lawmaker seemed straightforward: CIA drone strikes against militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan cause terrible damage and must stop. Then, in the middle of the session, according to an account provided to Reuters, one of the parliamentarians slipped the American guest, who specializes in the region, a handwritten note: “The people in the tribal areas support the drones. They cause very little collateral damage. But we cannot say so publicly for reasons you understand.”
I’m 100% positive the swine who slipped the note never had his family member killed and didn’t even belon to the FATA region. And his notion of the residents of FATA liking the drone attacks originates from deep under the body part where the sun don’t shine. Anacdotal evidence that the politicians are the ones who hacve sold their souls to the devils, not the army!. Plus this also supports my earlier post where I asked why the parliament did not order the army to shoot down the drones, this is prsicely the reason why!
Page 7, para 6: verbatim from the report: “A former U.S. intelligence official said the CIA was conducting the drone strikes instead of the U.S. military because the covert nature of the program gives Islamabad the “fig leaf of deniability.”
Again, this goes on t demonstrate that the politicians are working hand in glove with the CIA/US. Moreover, the Army asking the parliament to order the shoot down of the drones and not getting permission establishes the fact who the culprit is and who isn’t.
Page 8, para 1: verbatim from the report: “You need guys on the ground to tell you who they (the targets) are andthat isn’t coming from some white guy running around the FATA . That’scoming from the Pakistanis,” a U.S. official said, referring to the semiautonomous Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border.
This doesn’t prove anything other than the fact that the CIA has ‘some’ paid agents. Mir jaffers and Mir Sadiqs have always been present in the colums. So what? Secondly I have personally talked to and witnessed atleast 2 such Americans around 5-6 years back who could be mistaken for Pushtuns from their get up to their immaculate command over Pashtu and Darri. They admitted that they were ex marines, one of them being a recon! I hold Allah my witness, if you can believe it, good for you. I know that my claim cannot be substanciated, but Im only quoting it here because eit still holds relevance. Who were they and what were they doing here?
Page 8, para 6: This is a proud military and many hate the drone program because it is a constant reminder that they’re not in control,” a former U.S.intelligence official said.
That’s the bottom line! And that’s why we want to have the drone technology so that we can take care of business without US hanky panky.
Page 8, para 7: “The target selection process is a secret”. Contradiction to your statements about claims that Pakistan military is party to the drone program.
Page 8, 6th last para: Verbatim from the report: For some, however, it’s not the technology or intelligence as much as the strategy that is flawed. Addicott, the former legal adviser to Army Special Operations Forces, asks: “Are we creating more enemies than we’re killing or capturing by our activities? Unfortunately, I think the answer is yes. These families have 10 sons each. You kill one son and you create 9 more enemies. You’re not winning over the population.”
This is from the horse’s mouth .Need I say more?
Last Para, Last Page: Verbatim from report: Calling his two young daughters Sasha and Malia “huge fans” of the
Jonas Brothers band, Obama cautioned the young pop stars: “Boys, don’t
get any ideas. I have two words for you -- Predator drones,” the president
said to laughter.
Dear Omaba, as if you don’t know already, both your daughters had their cherries popped in junior high, it’s a bit late for warnings now
All in all these western reports are available dime a dozen, they selfishly justify their own actions and ignore Pakistani concerns. No wonder policy makers in the US are missing the boat! What about the destruction of Pakistn’s economy, image and the dissention in social fabric, all having davestating contributions towards Pakistan’s existing predicaments.
No where in the whole report did I see hard conclusive evidence that gives your initial statement any strength, No where in the report does it elucidate your stance that the Pakistan Army approves of drones and is OK with civilian casualties. Except for rumors and news from unknown sources that don't hold credence in the first place.
Bottom line, if the US is insensitive about its all Pakistan, then this allyship must be severed, and that where all this is headed!
When you don’t approve the Palestinian State and ensure overdue Kashmiri plebiscite, don’t go around teaching morality to the rest of the world. And don’t expect that you will live securely in your condominiums having your king size burgers and pint sized beers without fear of a terrorist attack waiting to happen.
Next Link Please.