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Backing down: US no longer urging full-scale Waziristan blitz
By Kamran Yousaf
Published: October 25, 2011
ISLAMABAD:
During US Secretary of State Hillary Clintons recent visit to Islamabad, Pakistan made a commitment to Washington that it would tackle the Haqqani network, a senior American diplomat told The Express Tribune.
However, what is significant is that the US is no longer pushing Pakistan to initiate a full-scale military offensive in North Waziristan which is allegedly being used by the Haqqani network as a launching pad to target US-led international forces in Afghanistan.
We are not asking Pakistan to invade North Waziristan. What we want is for this Haqqani threat to be eliminated, either through the use of force, or by other means, the diplomat disclosed, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
If Pakistan were able to convince the Haqqanis to come to the negotiating table, that would be a very positive start, he said. He did not, however, say exactly what commitment Pakistan had made with the US regarding the Haqqanis. We leave it to Pakistan, he added.
Despite Islamabads commitment, he cautioned that a lot of work is yet to be done in order to judge whether or not Clintons recent trip was successful.
I wont say the worst is over, but what I do believe, is that the best is yet to come, he said.
For years, Pakistan has been resisting US pressure to go after the Haqqanis in North Waziristan. Its reluctance is attributed to the military establishments decade-old contacts with the network and the belief that the group has a critical role in the Afghan endgame.
But in recent months, the Haqqani network has become a major thorn in the relationship between Pakistan and the US.
The US stepped up pressure on Islamabad to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries from North Waziristan.
But during Clintons visit, the two sides covered significant ground to narrow down their differences, not only on the Haqqani network, but also on the Afghan reconciliation process.
Regarding Pakistans role in the Afghan reconciliation process, he said Pakistan needs to be honest about its links with the Afghan Taliban.
We want a commitment from Pakistan to play a constructive role in the Afghan reconciliation process, said the official when asked what specific role the US wants Pakistan to play. His remarks underline concerns in US ranks that Pakistan is yet to be forthcoming on the Afghan endgame.
We simply want Pakistan to be honest with us about whether or not they can bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table, he pointed out.
Pakistan, during the discussion, did agree to facilitate the US to help it reach out to the Afghan Taliban but insisted it would not become a guarantor of the process.
When approached, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua refused to confirm reports about Islamabads commitment with Washington in terms of the Haqqani network.
I can only say that Secretary Clintons visit was very constructive. Both sides put across their point of view on key issues in an open and candid fashion, she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2011.
By Kamran Yousaf
Published: October 25, 2011
ISLAMABAD:
During US Secretary of State Hillary Clintons recent visit to Islamabad, Pakistan made a commitment to Washington that it would tackle the Haqqani network, a senior American diplomat told The Express Tribune.
However, what is significant is that the US is no longer pushing Pakistan to initiate a full-scale military offensive in North Waziristan which is allegedly being used by the Haqqani network as a launching pad to target US-led international forces in Afghanistan.
We are not asking Pakistan to invade North Waziristan. What we want is for this Haqqani threat to be eliminated, either through the use of force, or by other means, the diplomat disclosed, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
If Pakistan were able to convince the Haqqanis to come to the negotiating table, that would be a very positive start, he said. He did not, however, say exactly what commitment Pakistan had made with the US regarding the Haqqanis. We leave it to Pakistan, he added.
Despite Islamabads commitment, he cautioned that a lot of work is yet to be done in order to judge whether or not Clintons recent trip was successful.
I wont say the worst is over, but what I do believe, is that the best is yet to come, he said.
For years, Pakistan has been resisting US pressure to go after the Haqqanis in North Waziristan. Its reluctance is attributed to the military establishments decade-old contacts with the network and the belief that the group has a critical role in the Afghan endgame.
But in recent months, the Haqqani network has become a major thorn in the relationship between Pakistan and the US.
The US stepped up pressure on Islamabad to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries from North Waziristan.
But during Clintons visit, the two sides covered significant ground to narrow down their differences, not only on the Haqqani network, but also on the Afghan reconciliation process.
Regarding Pakistans role in the Afghan reconciliation process, he said Pakistan needs to be honest about its links with the Afghan Taliban.
We want a commitment from Pakistan to play a constructive role in the Afghan reconciliation process, said the official when asked what specific role the US wants Pakistan to play. His remarks underline concerns in US ranks that Pakistan is yet to be forthcoming on the Afghan endgame.
We simply want Pakistan to be honest with us about whether or not they can bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table, he pointed out.
Pakistan, during the discussion, did agree to facilitate the US to help it reach out to the Afghan Taliban but insisted it would not become a guarantor of the process.
When approached, Foreign Office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua refused to confirm reports about Islamabads commitment with Washington in terms of the Haqqani network.
I can only say that Secretary Clintons visit was very constructive. Both sides put across their point of view on key issues in an open and candid fashion, she added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 25th, 2011.
