Pakistan suggests steps for deescalation

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Qureshi asks India to de-activate forward airbases​

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Delhi urged to pull troops to peacetime locations;positive signals positive signals emanate from India and Pakistan

By Mariana Baabar

ISLAMABAD: The cumulative international efforts, especially those of the United States, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran, have finally succeeded in de-escalating the tense situation between Pakistan and India, whereby Islamabad on Tuesday welcomed what it saw a positive and welcoming development.

What started with terrorist attacks on Mumbai had, after a month, escalated into an imminent war scenario between the two nuclear neighbours. “Pakistan considers the developments in the last 48 hours as positive and welcoming. India should de-activate its forward airbases and pull the ground forces to peacetime locations to create a friendly atmosphere between the two neighbouring countries,” Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a policy statement he read out in Urdu for the PTV.

His choice of language was certainly for the domestic audience, many of whom have since heaved a sigh of relief believing it is “back to business between the two neighbours and the looming danger of war has receded”.

Qureshi’s formal statement came on the heels of a similarly friendly statement from his Indian counterpart Pranab Mukherjee, who also appears to have taken a step back while saying that India had not given any ultimatum to Pakistan. Qureshi made special mention of Mukherjee’s statement, saying this was positive.

“Pakistan believes that ultimatums do not help improve the relations between the countries,” the foreign minister said. With so much posturing that had been seen in the last few weeks, it is interesting how both sides are back-tracking from their statements to the media and at least agreeing to listen to each other. While the immediate reaction from New Delhi is that it had never moved either its air force or army in the first place, Qureshi also indicated that the forces here had also not moved.

Further elaborating on this sudden “positive development”, Qureshi made a special mention of China, saying that Pakistan was grateful for its efforts to de-escalate the tension between Pakistan and India.

He also termed positive the direct contact between the Pakistani and Indian Directors General of Military Operations and the telephonic conversation between President Asif Ali Zardari and the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. “We believe that it will help defuse the tension and apprehensions created between Pakistan and India,” Qureshi added.

He said the meetings of senior Pakistan officials in Washington also helped promote the country’s point of view. Qureshi once again reiterated his earlier proposal for cooperation on joint investigation into the Mumbai incident.

The foreign minister said the statement of Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee regarding a joint investigation into the Mumbai incident also supported Pakistan’s stance, as he had admitted of not providing evidence to Pakistan so far.

The foreign minister said Pakistan’s approach was positive from the day one, and it stood by its commitment to cooperate with the investigation whenever evidence was provided. “I reiterate that Pakistan wants to cooperate and has a positive approach. There is a need for using direct contacts and diplomatic channels for improving the ties and the importance of dialogue should not be overruled,” he said. He said that Pakistan wanted to resolve the conflicts at dialogue table.

The News understands that New Delhi is in no mood to rush to lift the ‘pause’ button and resume the Composite Dialogue. It still wants to see Pakistan hunting down ‘terrorists’ on its soil in all sincerity.

Qureshi said coercions and pressures would only benefit the elements involved in the Mumbai incident, which tried to dismantle the peace between the two countries and also in the region. He said geography had made Pakistan and India immediate neighbours, and it was the duty of the two states to maintain a friendly atmosphere for the benefit of their people.

He said if India considered these suggestions, it would prove helpful in diffusing the tense situation between the two countries. Reaction to Qureshi’s statement has been swift with many saying that India had also realised that the war rhetoric was taking away the focus from the Mumbai attacks and somehow ‘mishandled’ its case. Pakistan had not shied away from its international obligations and in fact won the first round of ‘diplomacy’, something it had lost during the Kargil military operation.

“Pakistan had not for a single moment shied away from its responsibilities since these attacks took place. It offered maximum cooperation for any investigations. The US had become nervous as they saw a scenario where Pakistan’s western borders would have all the troops shifting to the east. The nuclear factor was always there and India has realised by now that no matter how limited any strike on Pakistan, there is always the chance of this leading to a full-fledged war,” says defence analyst, Lt Gen (retd) Talat Masood.

Qureshi asks India to de-activate forward airbases

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

So the steps are:

1. Deactivate forward airbases.

2. Pull back ground forces to peacetime locations.

3. No ultimatums.

4. Use direct contact, diplomatic channels and dialog to pursue anti-terrorism cooperation - consider joint investigation offer.

 

[Goodperson]

So the steps are:

1. Deactivate forward airbases.

2. Pull back ground forces to peacetime locations.

3. No ultimatums.

4. Use direct contact, diplomatic channels and dialog to pursue anti-terrorism cooperation - consider joint investigation offer.

First of all their is no escalation Pakistan's actions were purely based on media reports, It managed to put pressure US and NATO about reduction of its troops from Afgan border. Coincidently supply lines were affected resulting in reduction of wester pressure on Pakistan. So Pakistan in short term has managed not to act on terrorists operating from its soil in its western and eastern fronts.

Results of such action is that US/ NATO started planning for alternate routes which they should have planned long back.

 

[EagleEyes]

India is to be blamed from diverting Pakistan attention from the war on terror. If the Indian Air Force had not violated, and the Indian officials, politicians and media didn't do chest thumping, and send thousands of troops to attack Pakistan. Pakistan wouldn't have to take measures as a precaution to defend itself.

 

[roopesh]

NDTV.com: How can Masood Azhar disappear? Pranab asks Pak

There were sharp differences between India and Pakistan's foreign ministers on Tuesday.

In a television address, Pakistan's foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that India must move its air force back from forward bases and ground forces as well.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee reacted strongly saying that any escalation or build-up of troops has been done by Pakistan, not India.

Pranab Mukherjee, External Affairs Minister said: "We have not escalated any tension so where is the question of our de- escalation."

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Minister, Pakistan, said: "I think India has activated their forward air bases, and I think if they are deactivated, then it will be a big positive signal."

Mukherjee said: "I am saying this is not an India Pakistan issue. This is an attack perpetrated by elements emanating from Pakistani soil and the Pakistan government should take action against them."

Qureshi said: "Pranab Mukherjee's statement shows, India has not given any evidence about Pakistan's involvement in Mumbai attack."

To this Mukherjee replied by saying: "We are repeatedly saying we will give you evidence as we have earlier, but please act on it. You said the people behind the Mumbai attacks are non-state actors when we brought allegations against Jamaat-ud-Dawa and after that the UN Security Council's resolution 1267. You have banned them. But ban all their activities. Masood Azhar was released on threats of killing innocent people on a hijacked plane.

Exchange of passengers with Masood Azhar did not take place in Pakistan. The hijacking took place in Kathmandu and the plane was taken to Kandahar. The exchange took place in Pakistan. Then, how is the man visible in Pakistan? If he was not visible how could your government representative say he is under house arrest? Now, you are saying he is not visible. So, what can we do? This is what we think.

 

[ju87]

and send thousands of troops to attack Pakistan.

What thousands of troops?! There has been no mobilization of troops on the Indian side. AF is another matter.

As for the OP, I would put

Use direct contact, diplomatic channels and dialog to pursue anti-terrorism cooperation - consider joint investigation offer.

as step 1. Or else the other 3 steps are not gonna happen.

 

[BATMAN]

India wants to launch air strikes inside Pakistan: McCain

Updated at: 2145 PST, Tuesday, December 30, 2008
WASHINGTON: U.S. Senator John McCain has voiced his deep concern over tense South Asian situation, saying India was preparing for some kind of attack on Pakistan in the wake of last month’s Mumbai attacks.

The former Republican presidential candidate’s statement preceded a relative de-escalation in the tension as both Islamabad and New Delhi stressed avoidance of war and talked peace over the weekend.

“The Indians are on the verge of some kind of attack on Pakistan,” such as an air attack on suspected militant camps, he told a daily newspaper in his home state Arizona published Monday.

Pakistan Tuesday saw some positive signs over the last two days in Indian leaders’ statements but recommended New Delhi de-activate its forward air bases and move its ground troops back to peacetime locations to resume friendly atmosphere.

“I think it’s a very dicey situation,” McCain said, noting how both countries have nuclear weapons.

 

[Pashtun]

Pakistan is a responsible state, it wants peace, the people of Pakistan wants peace, but unfortunately this has been misinterpreted as weakness and more aggressive tone have been kept against the country.

Pakistan's stance is very clear, we will give you what you want, peace for peace, war for war, but we are all in for peace.

 

[Solomon2]

From what I see and read, it appears to be the Pakistani vision that to let every Pakistani, without exception, get away scot-free who was involved in the Mumbai Massacre. Pakistan will not reveal any information others don't already have from its own sources, and any time the principals release information privately or publicly Pakistan will either whisk away the persons of interest or give them a guard of honor to protect them from inquiry (the Pakistani version of "house arrest").

Why should India de-escalate? Does Pakistan really merit it?

Maybe it's time to apply the screw of economic sanctions upon Pakistan itself. Not little stuff that affects the only little people, like food or fuel, but banning export of luxury items the elite treasures most, like bourbon, scotch, Rolls Royces, and Viagra. If that doesn't work, after six weeks, I'd add cigarettes to the list. Would Pakistan's elite really want to survive without their substitute opiates?

 

[roopesh]

iiilllllllllllllllllllllllaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...No reply from pak frens!!!!! wats the deal folks

 

[superbikez]

watz the point ??? no buddy intrested in ur topic becuase In International Media, India already made her very bad image even ur own people in which Army defence (yesturday live converstion bt HAmid nawaz ur Defence chief said "Actuallty election coming soon in india so Indian parliment wants to show its people that they have doing lots of stuff bla bla" on the otherside yours chilli pilli bollywood Stars Shahrukh, Salman, Amir check there interviews on youtube "everyone said" PAkistan and muslims are not involve. Salman khan remarks on ur mumbai issue is very much impressive he said "Pakistan is a victom of these activities but they neva blam our govt or india in thr any issue without evidence when mumbai issue is going on bw operation our media start blaming Pakistan as usual without any sense etc"

now ur minister Parnab lol @ whole world LOL @ this person.. 1st he was talk with full of aggression now he talk like Pakistan govt his very very close friend LOL LOL LOL @ INDIA. actually ur media have already made very bad impression in front of this world already even ur journlist, celebrities, and even ur Defence chief also admit this.

So after that nobuddy trust on ur bullshit media and ur ministers...

NOw dun call again anyone here "NO BUDDY INTRESTED IN UR THIS TOPIC"

look at the topic "Mehmud Qureshi talk about movement of Military forces and Airforce and PArnab replied totally opposite ....

 

[robincrusoe]

If Govt. of Pakistan willing any body can appear or disappear, the David Blain magic phenomena. It shows the sincerity with which Pakistan want to cooperate on Terrorism.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

If Govt. of Pakistan willing any body can appear or disappear, the David Blain magic phenomena. It shows the sincerity with which Pakistan want to cooperate on Terrorism.

Baitullah Mehsud is also a wanted man by Pakistan, and he has managed to stay out of teh hands of security forces.

The FBI also has a 'Most Wanted' list of people in the US, that despite all of the resources at its disposal in a developed country, it has not been able to capture.

So what exactly is the point of Pranab Mukerjee's statement? That any country that has people on the 'Most Wanted List' and cannot find them is somehow insincere in fighting crime or terrorism?

What baloney.

In addition, Mukherjee has said nothing to Pakistan, as your title indicates. He is ranting as usual in front of the media. Pakistan's Foreign Minister quite clearly stated that India needs to use 'Direct contacts, diplomatic channels and dialog' to pursue justice.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Threads merged.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

First of all their is no escalation Pakistan's actions were purely based on media reports, It managed to put pressure US and NATO about reduction of its troops from Afgan border. Coincidently supply lines were affected resulting in reduction of wester pressure on Pakistan. So Pakistan in short term has managed not to act on terrorists operating from its soil in its western and eastern fronts.

Results of such action is that US/ NATO started planning for alternate routes which they should have planned long back.

From what I see and read, it appears to be the Pakistani vision that to let every Pakistani, without exception, get away scot-free who was involved in the Mumbai Massacre. Pakistan will not reveal any information others don't already have from its own sources, and any time the principals release information privately or publicly Pakistan will either whisk away the persons of interest or give them a guard of honor to protect them from inquiry (the Pakistani version of "house arrest").

Why should India de-escalate? Does Pakistan really merit it?

Maybe it's time to apply the screw of economic sanctions upon Pakistan itself. Not little stuff that affects the only little people, like food or fuel, but banning export of luxury items the elite treasures most, like bourbon, scotch, Rolls Royces, and Viagra. If that doesn't work, after six weeks, I'd add cigarettes to the list. Would Pakistan's elite really want to survive without their substitute opiates?

No, that is your 'assumption' based on 'media reports'.

Pakistan's statements are based on her own intelligence reports, not 'media reports'.

Point to me one official statement from the GoP or ISPR that states a large number of troops are being pulled out of FATA and redeployed on the Eastern front.

Secondly, your assertion of not acting against the alleged terrorists involved in Mumbai is completely incorrect, since Pakistan raided a camp of the LeT, arrested Zarrar Shaha and Lakhvi (alleged masterminds) and Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the JuD. Pakistan also banned the JuD and seized its assets.

Anything further would require evidence that can be presented in a court of law for prosecution, which the Indian government has indicated it can only share when it competes her investigation - so the onus now is on the GoI.

Pakistan's actions against the Mumbai attackers are clear, except to those who imagine flaws in ever action Pakistan takes.

P.S: banning luxury imports or taxing them severely is an option that has been considered by the current GoP to balance the trade deficit.

Unfortunately, many of those trade restrictions are typically overcome through smuggling via Iran and Afghanistan.