ISI aiding Taliban, Haqqanis; says Gen John Allen

The top commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan has once again reiterated old mantra that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) continues to support the Taliban and the Haqqani network.

In reply to a question asked by Senator John McCain about any change in the ISI’s relationship with the Haqqani network and the Taliban he observed, International Security Assistance Force commander Gen John Allen said, “I have not, sir”.

Agreeing with the statement, the Senator said the Pakistani sanctuary and ISI’s support to the Taliban and corruption issues in the President Hamid Karzai’s government were the major issues in bringing piece in the region.

Urging the Pakistan Army to understand that continued aiding to the Taliban was a losing stake, McCain asserted, “The strategic partnership would make clear to the Taliban that they cannot wait us out and win on the battlefield, thus fostering real reconciliation on favourable terms to the Afghan government and to us”.

Later, Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the reconciliation dialogue would depend on handling the cross-border attack from the militants having safe houses on Pakistani side. He also said the role of Haqqani network will also matter in dealing the issue.

He observed, “And much is going to depend on the Karzai government improving the delivery of services and economic development, taking on corruption and providing increased transparency and on the conduct of credible provincial and national elections”.

Acting Undersecretary of Defence for Policy, James N Miller, said peace could not be restored in Afghanistan without assistance from neighboring countries.

He said that Pakistan, like Afghanistan’s other neighbors, has valid interests that must be realized and handled. He, however, asked Pakistan to full her responsibilities as well.

US special representative to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mark Grossman, is expected to hold meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and President Hamid Karzai, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

Extending his respect to Pakistani Parliament, Grossman said they will discuss matters pertaining to resumption of NATO supply route once Pakistan revised its terms of engagement in the war on terror.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=16991

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Mar 24 2012. Filed under National, Pakistan, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.