fatman17
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Talibans response
The exclusive telephonic interview given to The Post by Maulvi Umer, the spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is a reflection of the Talibans willingness to respond to the calls of a dialogue from the government of Pakistan. This is important and can be juxtaposed with the previous governments insistence on finding a military solution to the problem that requires a multi-dimensional approach. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillanis offer of a dialogue to the Taliban was reiterated by NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti to start the long-overdue process. For this purpose, the government is reported to have decided to form two separate jirgas one for Fata and one for the settled areas to assist in the talks with the Taliban. While Umer expressed his ire against President Musharrafs policy against the Taliban, he also criticised Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmed for what, according to him, amounted to deceiving the masses. That Baitullah Mehsud is looking forward to the future peace process can be the beginning of the end of a conflict that many believe could have been avoided. In what can to be termed as a precaution, Umer recalled the fate of the peace treaties signed between the Taliban and the previous government in the past and hoped that the future treaties will not meet the same fate.
The Taliban saw the US at work behind the breaking the of the peace treaties made with Nek Muhammad and other leaders of the Taliban during the previous government. Umer has claimed in his interview that the Talibans announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in the past was met with force by the Pakistan military on the behest of the US that has been accused of crossing over into the Pakistan territory in the pursuit of al Qaeda and the Taliban. Such incidents led the local people to believe that the Pakistan government had compromised its sovereignty in the name of fighting the war on terror. This impression was further strengthened by the recent remarks of US President George Bush, and other high-ranking US officials before him, saying that the next attack on the US could originate from the Pak-Afghan border area and that the area could be bombed. Only last month Pakistan registered a protest with the coalition forces in Afghanistan after two Pakistani women and two children were killed by US forces fire from across the border. The US-led coalition confirmed that it launched a precision guided strike on the Pakistani territory.
The US officials made a beeline to Islamabad as soon as they got the hint that the new government intended to talk to the Taliban. This was at a time when the new government was in the process of being formed. Such a situation can jeopardise the chances of talks between the government and the Taliban. The Pakistan government, on its part, should make it clear to the US leadership that Pakistan will take every step to handle the crisis through means other than only the use of military force. The offer of talks to the Taliban and the Talibans initial response can yield positive results if the two sides realise the need of addressing the issues through a dialogue. The Taliban, however, should refrain from issuing threats against the president as this could affect the dialogue with the new government. Pakistan remains committed to shun the forces of extremism and terrorism and the only way that can bring the desired results is striking at the root cause of terrorism instead of flaring it further.
The exclusive telephonic interview given to The Post by Maulvi Umer, the spokesman of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, is a reflection of the Talibans willingness to respond to the calls of a dialogue from the government of Pakistan. This is important and can be juxtaposed with the previous governments insistence on finding a military solution to the problem that requires a multi-dimensional approach. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillanis offer of a dialogue to the Taliban was reiterated by NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti to start the long-overdue process. For this purpose, the government is reported to have decided to form two separate jirgas one for Fata and one for the settled areas to assist in the talks with the Taliban. While Umer expressed his ire against President Musharrafs policy against the Taliban, he also criticised Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Qazi Hussain Ahmed for what, according to him, amounted to deceiving the masses. That Baitullah Mehsud is looking forward to the future peace process can be the beginning of the end of a conflict that many believe could have been avoided. In what can to be termed as a precaution, Umer recalled the fate of the peace treaties signed between the Taliban and the previous government in the past and hoped that the future treaties will not meet the same fate.
The Taliban saw the US at work behind the breaking the of the peace treaties made with Nek Muhammad and other leaders of the Taliban during the previous government. Umer has claimed in his interview that the Talibans announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in the past was met with force by the Pakistan military on the behest of the US that has been accused of crossing over into the Pakistan territory in the pursuit of al Qaeda and the Taliban. Such incidents led the local people to believe that the Pakistan government had compromised its sovereignty in the name of fighting the war on terror. This impression was further strengthened by the recent remarks of US President George Bush, and other high-ranking US officials before him, saying that the next attack on the US could originate from the Pak-Afghan border area and that the area could be bombed. Only last month Pakistan registered a protest with the coalition forces in Afghanistan after two Pakistani women and two children were killed by US forces fire from across the border. The US-led coalition confirmed that it launched a precision guided strike on the Pakistani territory.
The US officials made a beeline to Islamabad as soon as they got the hint that the new government intended to talk to the Taliban. This was at a time when the new government was in the process of being formed. Such a situation can jeopardise the chances of talks between the government and the Taliban. The Pakistan government, on its part, should make it clear to the US leadership that Pakistan will take every step to handle the crisis through means other than only the use of military force. The offer of talks to the Taliban and the Talibans initial response can yield positive results if the two sides realise the need of addressing the issues through a dialogue. The Taliban, however, should refrain from issuing threats against the president as this could affect the dialogue with the new government. Pakistan remains committed to shun the forces of extremism and terrorism and the only way that can bring the desired results is striking at the root cause of terrorism instead of flaring it further.
