State Department Blacklists Militant Haqqani Network

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Well, all I could grasp was that you tried to prove that the Haqqani Netwrok is not a terrorist organization, but noble fighters protecting their native land. It appears to be a bit late to be taking that stance now after the US declaration,

What I'm merely pointing out is that their existence is a phenomenon we cannot "undo" per se unless you expect a cowboy strategy of going in guns-blazing and risk antagonizing more people --- some of whom never attacked Pakistan nor do they pose a threat to us.

pragmatic approach is required...

the US knows how to get into contact with these people and in fact i believe regardless of labels or designations (which to me are a ruse) you can not deny that the Haqqanis have always been there and always will be. They were there in the 1980s as well, when Ronald Reagan brought the elders (including notables like Siraj ud Deen Haqqani) into his Oval Office for biscuits, tea and strategic talks.

but what to do about this designation and its potential fallout would be more important.

it's moot point simply b/c Pakistan isn't going anywhere neither is Afghanistan. Friendly governments and foes alike --come and they go. But geography -never changes.

Pakistan will continue to work towards fighting this insurgency, but based on its own frameworks and based on its own national interests --as rhetorical as that may sound.

 

[VCheng]

What I'm merely pointing out is that their existence is a phenomenon we cannot "undo" per se unless you expect a cowboy strategy of going in guns-blazing and risk antagonizing more people --- some of whom never attacked Pakistan nor do they pose a threat to us.

pragmatic approach is required...

the US knows how to get into contact with these people and in fact i believe regardless of labels or designations (which to me are a ruse) you can not deny that the Haqqanis have always been there and always will be. They were there in the 1980s as well, when Ronald Reagan brought the elders (including notables like Siraj ud Deen Haqqani) into his Oval Office for biscuits, tea and strategic talks.

Well, they are now deemed to be attacking NATO forces and thus pose a threat. Negotiations have not worked so far, so what do you propose the pragmatic way forward for the US would, or should, be, at this stage in the game?

....
it's moot point simply b/c Pakistan isn't going anywhere neither is Afghanistan. Friendly governments and foes alike --come and they go. But geography -never changes............

Geography might not change, but borders do.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Well, they are now deemed to be attacking NATO forces and thus pose a threat. Negotiations have not worked so far, so what do you propose the pragmatic way forward for the US would, or should, be, at this stage in the game?

Cheng.....Afghanistan is a narco-state. War-lordism has proven to be lucrative. They have many means to generate money. Obviously if the funds were to dry up, their operational capability would be compromised.

for political reasons, the NATO has done nothing to stop the sharp rise in the narcotics trade....their main fear is that the farmers would turn to the taleban - since the talebs seem to be quite organized and well-funded - to say the least.

I propose that NATO stops contributing towards the ethnic division of the war-tattered country..in the eyes of many --namely the Pashtun communities -- the Afghan army is an openly anti-Pashtun force. This has implications for our side as well, since a good # of the tribes have relatives and ancestors on both sides of the Durand Line.

NATO will also be best served by heeding and addressing long-held reservations/grievences of the Pakistani side -- including the fact that the TTP is well equipped and well funded in Afghanistan and is openly attacking the Pakistani state. Until the hypocrisy and double standards come to an end, i simply don't see any room or grounds for further meaningful cooperation.

I personally do want the American troops to make it home to their families and loved ones; in fact many of them have become vocal about "why are we here when everyone here hates us" ....The "Islamic Emirate" movement in Afghanistan needs to ensure that its territory is not used by foreign fighters or Al Qaeda types for global jeehady purposes.
Pressure should also be applied on the financiers of such movements -- primarily those funds are coming from the Persian Gulf. Common knowledge.

Geography might not change, but borders do.

and if Afghanistan allows the enemies of Pakistan to wage proxy war on Pakistan, it'll be a lot more than just borders changing.

The people of Bajaur, Orakzai, Khyber, Kurram and other agencies have been extremely patient. But their patience is running thin.

 

[ajtr]

usa declaring haqqani network as terrorist i like rakhi sawant doing her swayambar on reality show..........

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

BBC News - Transcript of Siraj Haqqani's interview

Siraj Haqqani, a key leader of Afghanistan's militant Haqqani network, gives an audio response to written questions from the BBC.



Were you involved in Burhanuddin Rabbani's assassination?

With regard to your first question, I should say that in Burhanuddin Rabbani's assassination, we have no involvement and this is also what the Islamic Emirate's [the name the Taliban gave to Afghanistan when they took control in 1996] spokespersons have already expressed.

Were you involved in the attack on the US embassy in Kabul?

The attack on the US embassy, on Nato headquarters and similar other attacks, planning and execution are carried out by the Islamic Emirate's military council; it's nothing to do with any individual or group, all planning and execution are being done by the military council.

Do you have any links with the ISI (Pakistan's intelligence agency)?

During the Soviet invasion, not only us, but all mujahideen had connections with the Pakistani ISI. But for now, there are no such links that could be beneficial to the mujahideen, right from the first day of the American arrival till this day; not only Pakistan, but other Islamic countries, and other non-Islamic countries, including America, contacted us and they are still doing so.

They are asking us to leave the ranks of the Islamic Emirate, [they say] they will give us important contributions to the government of Afghanistan, they are also proposing negotiations; but every time, our response is to go and contact the Islamic Emirate's political commission because we are [only] carrying responsibilities for a particular military area, and we also know they don't mean peace, they want to divide the Islamic Emirate's ranks. But thank God, our mujahid nation now know their bad intentions.

Do you have any links with al-Qaeda?

On links with al-Qaeda, the policy of the Islamic Emirate is very clear - please refer to it.

Do you have any links with [the Hizb-e-Islami militia of former Prime Minister Gulbuddin] Hekmatyar and other groups?

On links with Hekmatyar and other groups, the policy of the Islamic Emirate is very clear - please refer to it.

What are your plans for Afghanistan's future and peace negotiations?

In every message from the Islamic Emirate and especially in the latest message by Ameerul Momeenin [Mullah Omar], this has been very extensively covered, you should not expect us to say anything other than what Ameerul Momeenin has said.

What are your relations with Mullah Omar?

Ameerul Momeenin Mullah Omar is our leader and we follow him, we have responsibility for certain areas within the Islamic Emirate's administration and accordingly follow instructions. In every military operation, the Emirate gives us a plan, guide and financial support. We conduct it thoroughly. There is no question of a separate party or group.

What every mujahideen needs, like food and costs, has been provided for by the leadership of the Emirate. So the media should not say whatever our enemy is saying so they can divide us.

For the past 10 years, the enemy has been trying to divide us or at least make sure people are concerned and our holy struggle gets a bad name; sometimes they call us ISI and sometimes they are calling us a separate group; they are doing this to hide their defeat and confuse ordinary people.

Afghans don't have good memories of [political] parties, so I advise people not to listen to the enemy at this crucial stage of jihad; they should continue with their support of the Islamic Emirate.

Our advice for the people and government of Pakistan is that they should carefully note the American double standard and irreconcilable policy. They should give precedence to their national and Islamic interests. They should take [it as a given] that the Americans will never be satisfied until they loot them completely.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Haqqanis say US listing will hurt Afghan peace | DAWN.COM

ISLAMABAD: The United States’ decision to designate the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization shows it is not sincere about peace efforts in Afghanistan, senior commanders of the group said on Friday.

The move will also bring hardship for US Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is being held by the militants, the commanders told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.

The United States is designating the Haqqani network, accused of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday, in a move that would trigger sanctions against the group and turn up the heat on Pakistan’s government.

US officials have long accused Pakistan of supporting the network, an allegation Islamabad denies.

The Haqqanis, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban, are some of the most experienced fighters in Afghanistan and have carried out several high-profile attacks on Western targets.

Senior commanders from the network said the decision to designate the group as terrorists could endanger efforts to reach a peaceful settlement to the Afghan conflict before most Nato combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.

“It means the United States is not sincere in their talks. They are on the one hand claiming to look for a political solution to the Afghan issue while on the other they are declaring us terrorists,” said one of the commanders.

“So how can peace talks succeed in bringing peace to Afghanistan?”

Whether or not to brand the group a terrorist organization has been the subject of intense debate within the administration of US President Barack Obama, with some officials arguing it would have little real impact, but would risk setting back Afghan reconciliation efforts.

The New York Times earlier reported that senior US officials who argued against blacklisting the group were concerned it could jeopardise the fate of Bergdahl, who disappeared from his base in southern Afghanistan in June 2009 and is believed to be being held by the militants.

“Until now we treated him very well but this move by the United States will of course create hardships for him,” another Haqqani commander told Reuters.

 

[Desert Fox]

Well, lets see how serious American gov.t is about fighting Terrorism:

Look in this image, one of those guys in Turban is Jallaludin Haqqani, the founder of the "Haqqani" so called "network":

According to Ronald Reagen, whom so many so called "conservative" Americans admire for his anti-commie policies and pro capitalist economic policies, Haqqani is the Equivalent of America's founding fathers like George Washington, Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Hamilton, etc.

Here is the video of the meeting:

American President Ronald Regan Meeting Taliban. - YouTube


Libyan rebel commander admits his fighters have al-Qaeda links - Telegraph

Libyan War: The Truth -- US Supporting al Qaeda Insurgents Against the Will of the Libyan People


Why is the United States Helping Al Qaeda in Libya? | UNCOVERAGE.net

More links below:
Libya: the West and al-Qaeda on the same side - Telegraph

» U.S. Government Backs Libyan Al-Qaeda While Hyping Terror Attacks Inside U.S. Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!

Al Qaida commander backs Libyan rebels in message

Truth Revealed: Al Qaeda Part Of Libyan Rebels, U.S. Helping Fighters Who Killed Americans In Iraq! at Pat Dollard

Al Qaeda Flags Parade in Gadhafi Hometown? - World News - ABC News Radio

Flying proudly over the birthplace of Libya's revolution, the flag of Al Qaeda

 

[Twain]

Now that Haqqani network is labelled as a FTO, is Pakistan liable to be labelled as state harboring terrorists and all the corresponding tamasha ?

That is a definite possibility

 

[Juice]

Now that Haqqani network is labelled as a FTO, is Pakistan liable to be labelled as state harboring terrorists and all the corresponding tamasha ?

I thought Pakistan fought the Haqqani too...

 

[Juice]

@ Deaert Fox....how many damned times do you people have to be reminded that the Mujahdin and Taliban aren't the same thing? The Taliban didn't come about til mid 90's...Reagan was already dead. Ask Ahmad Shah Massoud if the Taliban are the same as those who fought the Soviets...oh...that's right...they killed him. The Taliban FOUGHT those who beat the Soviets (by this time...fighting amongst themselves). I'll tell you what...you pretend that the Taliban are the same as those who fought the Soviets...I'll pretend the Pakistani army is the British army (they're both armies...both in the same place...the same and only arguement that the Talibs are the same as those who fought the Soviets...oh...and the American army is an Apache warband...)

 

[VCheng]

.........................
NATO will also be best served by heeding and addressing long-held reservations/grievences of the Pakistani side -- including the fact that the TTP is well equipped and well funded in Afghanistan and is openly attacking the Pakistani state. Until the hypocrisy and double standards come to an end, i simply don't see any room or grounds for further meaningful cooperation....................


and if Afghanistan allows the enemies of Pakistan to wage proxy war on Pakistan, it'll be a lot more than just borders changing.

The people of Bajaur, Orakzai, Khyber, Kurram and other agencies have been extremely patient. But their patience is running thin.

It is to Pakistan's disadvantage, on multiple levels, to assume an adversarial role as an obstacle to USA in this region, and would represent a failure of Pakistani foreign policies it that were to happen. Refusing meaningful cooperation will further undermine Pakistan, please rest assured.

Phrases like "lot more than borders" changing and "patience running thin" represent mere bravado that will crumble quickly if push came to shove, so are best avoided. Remember the uproar and chest thumping over the NATO supply routes and how all that died away without even a whimper?

 

[Evil Flare]

I thought Pakistan fought the Haqqani too...

No we didn't .....

 

[RayKalm]

No matter how you look at this, the war in Afghanistan has inevitably lead to the downfall of Pakistan, and a gainful situation for India.

Pakistan is surronded by India on all sides, and while Pakistan is losing money each day, India, which has gained the advantageous situation already, is unaffected by this war.

Some may argue that this was the purpose of the US and it's allies all along.

 

[Developereo]

I can't believe they are just doing this.

The answer, my friend, is blowing in Charlotte; the answer is blowing in Charlotte...

It's a pre-election stunt to blunt any accusations by the Republicans, and to shore up support from 'undecided red blooded Americans'.

Commander in Chief; tough on terror; defender of the homeland; apple pies all around; rah, rah...

I suspect that nothing substantive will change on the ground and the designation may even be reversed post-election in order to "facilitate a negotiated settlement with all major parties in Afghanistan".

 

[Rig Vedic]

I'd still say that it was kinda slow by the US standards. Usually they don't blink twice before declaring some country or regime as a terrorist establishment.. wonder why they were working in slow motion when it came to Pak military's darlings.

The US is very forgiving when it comes to Pakistan, let's wait and see how this develops. From the OP -

Within hours of the designation, American officials in Washington were seeking to play down worries that it could stymie peace talks with the Taliban or lead to the designation of Pakistan as a state sponsor of terrorism.