US must not cross ‘red lines’, says FM Khar

[Neo]

US must not cross ‘red lines’, says FM Khar

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. - File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign minister on Saturday warned the United States against sending ground troops to her country to fight an Afghan militant group that America alleges is used as a proxy by Pakistan’s top intelligence agency for attacks in neighboring Afghanistan.

The warning came as a top US military commander was in Pakistan for talks with the army chief at a time of intense strain between the two countries. The US Embassy said Gen. James Mattis, head of US Central Command, arrived in Pakistan late Friday, and that he will meet the army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Ties between Islamabad and Washington are in crisis after American officials stepped up accusations that Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence was aiding insurgents in neighboring Afghanistan, including those who took part in an attack on the US Embassy last week in Kabul.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in an interview Saturday that there are red lines and rules of engagement with America, which should not be broken.

”It opens all kinds of doors and all kinds of options,” she told Pakistan’s private Aaj News TV from New York. The comment was in response to a question about the possibility of US troops coming to Pakistan.

Khar, however, insisted that Pakistan’s policy was to seek a more intensive engagement with the US and that she would like to discourage any blame game.

”If many of your goals are not achieved, you do not make someone a scapegoat,” she said, addressing the US.

The US allegations have seen a strong reaction from Pakistan.

Kayani, the Pakistani army chief, said on Friday that the charges were baseless and part of a public ”blame game” detrimental to peace in Afghanistan. Other Islamabad officials urged Washington to present evidence for such a serious allegation. Khar warned the United States is risking losing an ally in the war on terror.

The row began when Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday accused the ISI agency of supporting Haqqani insurgents in planning and executing last week’s 22-hour assault on the US Embassy and a truck bombing that wounded 77 American soldiers days earlier.

Kayani said the allegations were ”very unfortunate and not based on facts.”

The claims were the most serious yet by an American official against nuclear-armed Pakistan, which Washington has given billions in civilian and military aid over the last 10 years to try to secure its cooperation inside Afghanistan and against al-Qaeda.

The Haqqani insurgent network is widely believed to be based in Pakistan’s North Waziristan tribal area along the Afghan border. The group has historical ties to Pakistani intelligence, dating back to the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

The relationship between the two countries has never been smooth, but it took one of its hardest hits when US commandos slipped into Pakistan on May 2 without informing the Pakistanis of their mission and killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in a garrison town not far from Islamabad.

US must not cross ‘red lines’, says FM Khar | Pakistan | DAWN.COM

[Jihad]

So, apart from her looks, she is able to make some solid statements.
I like this response coming from her, but also from Gen. Kayani.
The Americans are threading on a thin line with Pakistan, I guess these are just war of words, and relations will go back to normal pretty soon.

[Neo]

Pakistan hits back at US
Stop sending ‘wrong messages’: Gilani

KARACHI: Reacting to recent outbursts by top US officials against Pakistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said the United States should avoid sending ‘wrong messages’ which would affect the bilateral ties between the two counties.

Gilani, who was talking to media, said, “Our 180 million people want to defend their motherland and its sovereignty,” Gilani said, adding that the “United States cannot live with us and without us. Thus the US should avoid sending ‘wrong messages’ which would affect the bilateral ties.” He said the US should take into consideration the feelings of the 180 million people of Pakistan while issing statements or commenting on important issues.

The PM acknowledged that the US was an important country and Pakistan wanted good relations with it, which should be based on mutual respect and mutual interests. He said such messages would create political problems for the government of Pakistan in promoting relations between the two the countries. He reiterated the government’s policy of self-respect, economic solidarity and independence.

About the US statement regarding Haqqani network, he said Pakistan was a part of solutions in Afghanistan and not a part of problems there. No compromise would be acceptable on Pakistan’s sovereignty, he said, adding that a stable Afghanistan was in the interests of Pakistan. Gilani asserted that the US cannot effectively fight the war on terror without Pakistan, and asked Washington to increase contacts with the country to remove misunderstandings. He urged the US to avoid issuing statements unacceptable to the Pakistani public. To a question, the PM said he had cancelled his US visit to personally monitor the relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood-affected areas. masroor afzal pasha/agencies

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[Neo]

Allegations against ISI ‘baseless’: Kayani

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday US accusations that it is running a proxy war and supporting the al Qaeda-linked Haqqani network are “very unfortunate and not based on facts”.

Responding to scathing criticism by the US military’s top officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, Kayani denied allegations that his country is “exporting” terror to neighbouring Afghanistan. “While taking note of the recent statements made by Admiral Mullen... Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, termed these as very unfortunate and not based on facts,” a Pakistani military statement quoting him as saying.

“This is especially disturbing in view of a rather constructive meeting with Admiral Mullen in Spain,” referring to a recent meeting between the pair in Spain. Mullen on Thursday bluntly accused Pakistan of “exporting” violent extremism to Afghanistan through proxies and warned of possible action to protect American troops. Mullen said the country’s main intelligence agency the ISI was actively supporting Haqqani network. Mullen called the Haqqani network a “veritable arm” of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency”. He accused the Haqqanis – with ISI backing – of this month’s truck bombing on a NATO base in Afghanistan that wounded 77 Americans; a 19-hour siege on the US embassy in Kabul; and a June attack on the InterContinental hotel in Kabul. Responding to the question of contacts with Haqqanis, the Pakistan army chief said that “Admiral Mullen knows fully well which all countries are in contact with the Haqqanis. Singling out Pakistan is neither fair nor productive.” Kayani hoped “the blame game” should give way “to a constructive and meaningful engagement for a stable and peaceful Afghanistan, an objective to which Pakistan is fully committed,” the statement added. afp

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[vinod2070]

There is no doubt that Pakistan has been long playing a treacherous game in Afghanistan in pursuit of it's strategic depth policy. It seems to have gotten away so far with the USA not able to call it's bluff.

The USA may cut and run and Pakistan may well get its influence on Afghanistan through its Taliban and other terrorist proxies. The result will be wreaking havoc on Afghans who will die in a civil war, Pakistani Pusthuns who will continue to be run over by the Taliban and an increasing Talibanization of the whole of Pakistan.

All because Pakistan can't come to terms with realities.

USA will just continue to dispatch the cowardly terrorists to hell in Afghanistan by air power and commando missions. All that will be achieved is negating any chance of Afghanistan ever becoming a normal country.

Well done Pakistan army. You are really taking good revenge on the Afghans.

[Neo]

Afghanistan is suffering more from US' involvement than it has ever from alledged Pakistani interference. After Iraq, US had failed again in Afghanistan and as usual they're blaming everyone else for it...and what's easier to blame an old friend which is already running on US money. Shame on Pakistani leaders who've let it come this far...shame on us!!

[vinod2070]

It is just so easy to blame an outsider US for all the mess. The Afghans were murdering each other in a civil war when the USA went back after helping them in the anti Soviet war.

Then the Taliban came with Pakistan support and turned the country into a terror heaven. I don't even have to mention the treatment of women and non Pushtuns, the Hazara genocides and so on.

It was not exactly the most peaceful place before the USA came in.

Anyway Pakistan was the most allied ally during this war, making billions and billions while the Afghans were dying. It has always benefited from Afghans' misery.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

It is just so easy to blame an outsider US for all the mess. The Afghans were murdering each other in a civil war when the USA went back after helping them in the anti Soviet war.

Yes, but serving their own motives to keep the Sovjets away from 'Warm Waters'. It was not for the love of the Afghans in the first place...

Then the Taliban came with Pakistan support and turned the country into a terror heaven. I don't even have to mention the treatment of women and non Pushtuns, the Hazara genocides and so on.

Before Taliban came into the scene Mujahideen were formed with US money backed by CIA funds thru Pakistan under Chalie Wilson. Mujahideen split after the Sovjet withdrawl in 1987 and gave birth to Taliban. Pakistan as a direct neighbor has all the right to explore and chose friends in neighboring countries.

It was not exactly the most peaceful place before the USA came in.

And it is still considered one of worlds most dangeous places...the difference is it was a lawless place before US came but today it's a US occupied country and peace is still nowhere...
Talibans survive on drug money, why is the industry still flourishing???

Anyway Pakistan was the most allied ally during this war, making billions and billions while the Afghans were dying. It has always benefited from Afghans' misery.

And it is also without doubt the country which has suffered the most due Afghan affairs. The billions we supposedly gained are loose change compared to what we've lost since 9/11...

[vinod2070]

Originally Posted by Neo

Yes, but serving their own motives to keep the Sovjets away from 'Warm Waters'. It was not for the love of the Afghans in the first place...

Does it matter? Common interests at that point of time explains it well.

Before Taliban came into the scene Mujahideen were formed with US money backed by CIA funds thru Pakistan under Chalie Wilson. Mujahideen split after the Sovjet withdrawl in 1987 and gave birth to Taliban. Pakistan as a direct neighbor has all the right to explore and chose friends in neighboring countries.

Why don't you mention Saudis who matched the USA dollar for dollar? And China?

And above all Pakistan who made billions of dollars from that conflict as well?

USA may have helped those "Mujahideen" for a common cause, it never had the responsibility for their conduct for a lifetime. If they fell into a civil war, it is their own problem.

And it is still considered one of worlds most dangeous places...the difference is it was a lawless place before US came but today it's a US occupied country and peace is still nowhere...

Thanks in no mean part to the Queta Shura, the Haqqanis, the safe havens given to Taliban in Pakistan.

Talibans survive on drug money, why is the industry still flourishing???

Isn't it interesting. The Islamic Taliban and Muslim Afghans have issues with Alcohol but don't mind drug dealing!

And it is also without doubt the country which has suffered the most due Afghan affairs. The billions we supposedly gained are loose change compared to what we've lost since 9/11...

A decades long policy o proxy terror backfiring. No one else to blame.

[Neo]

Own your mess, Pakistan tells US

Arif Taj September 25, 2011

PM says allegations against Pakistan betray confusion and policy disarray within US establishment; Says Pakistan’s interest will guide its national policy; Hina Khar says US must not cross established ‘red lines’

In a loud and clear message that Pakistan’s national interest will guide its policy, Islamabad on Saturday unambiguously warned Washington against any hot pursuit inside its territory or making the country a scapegoat for the US failure in Afghanistan.

With Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly rejecting the US assertions of complicity with the Haqqanis and of Pakistan launching a proxy war, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar also hit out at the US, warning it against crossing the “red-lines” and making it a “scapegoat” for failed objectives (in Afghanistan). “We have established red-lines with them (the US) ... those red-lines have to be accepted and followed by every country ... if any established rules of engagement are broken, all doors and options will be opened up,” Khar told a private TV channel to a question about the possibility of the US sending troops into Pakistan.

Making a policy statement, Prime Minister Gilani said, “Pakistan’s national interest will guide our policy.” He said several countries had maintained direct contacts with the Haqqanis. “Singling out Pakistan is not fair ... Pakistan cannot be held responsible for the security of the US NATO/ISAF forces in Afghanistan ... while there have been terrorist attacks in Kabul and Wardak, there have also been numerous attacks on Pakistan launched from sanctuaries and havens in Nooristan and Kunar in Afghanistan... it is as much the responsibility of the Afghan National Army, NATO and ISAF not to allow such cross-border militancy,” the prime minister said, adding that joint operations and coordination were essential.

“Let’s be objective and not get carried away by emotions,” he stressed. He said the propaganda blitz against Pakistan was indeed unfortunate. “It vitiates the atmosphere and is counter-productive ... it tends to ignore the sacrifices made by the people of Pakistan and negates all that we have endeavored to achieve over the last several years... More than 35,000 Pakistanis have fallen victim to the acts of terrorism and many more have been injured,” he said.

He recalled Pakistan had taken resolute action against terrorists and militants. “We have done so in our national interest … the US knows very well the full account of large number of al Qaeda operatives that were interdicted, captured and killed by our security forces ... terrorists are targeting innocent civilians, bombing our markets and places of worship and carrying out targeted assassinations against security and law enforcement personnel,” he said.

The PM said allegations (against Pakistan) betray a confusion and policy disarray within the US establishment on the way forward in Afghanistan. “Clearly, there is a concern over the deterioration of the security situation in Afghanistan ... recent attacks in Kabul, including on the US embassy, were disquieting. We condemn these attacks,” he said.

He stressed the need for close policy coordination between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US, saying: “We need to develop a clear and coherent strategy together. A clear roadmap so that Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US are on the same page and work together for achieving the stated goal of reconciliation and peace. It is with this in view that we established the Trilateral Core Group which has met four times.”

He observed that blame-game was self-defeating and it would only benefit the enemies of peace. “Only terrorists and militants will gain from any fissures and divisions ... Pakistan’s credentials and sacrifices in the counter-terrorism campaign are impeccable and unquestionable,” he said. Gilani said Pakistan had emphasised the need for deeper engagement in recent interaction with the US, including the foreign minister’s meeting with the US secretary of state, and at the military and intelligence level.

“However, this can only take place on the basis of mutual respect…let’s avoid mutual recrimination and recommit ourselves to working together for eliminating terrorism and for reconciliation and peace in Afghanistan,” he said, reiterating that a stable and peaceful Afghanistan was in the interest of Pakistan.

]http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2011/09/own-your-mess-pakistan-tells-us/