Gen. Kiyani rebuffs Clinton

[SSGPA1]

Pakistan army chief hits back at US criticism
By Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad and James Lamont in New Delhi

Published: April 26 2009 19:33 | Last updated: April 26 2009 19:33

Pakistan’s army chief reacted angrily to US dismay that his forces had not acted to repel a Taliban insurgency advancing on Islamabad, the country’s capital and home to some of its nuclear assets.

Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani condemned the “pronouncements by outside powers raising doubts on the future of the country” in a rare statement at the weekend, insisting that his troops were ready for battle against any threat.

Pakistani security forces launched an offensive on Sunday to stop the Taliban’s advance in the north-west of the country, killing scores of militants according to the military

Gen Kiyani’s statement was interpreted as a sharp rebuff to comments by Hillary Clinton, US secretary of state, who said last week that Pakistan’s government was in danger of abdicating responsibility to its people in the face of the Taliban advance. She had expressed bewilderment that one of the world’s largest armies appeared unable to confront dozens of militants who had moved into the Buner district, 60 miles from the capital.

Gen Kiyani chaired a meeting of top generals after which he said Pakistan would pursue its own strategy in dealing with the Taliban.

The army, which has received about $1bn a year from the US since 2001, is sensitive to the widely held view in Pakistan that it is fighting America’s war against al-Qaeda along the border with Afghanistan. But it also faces criticism that it is unwilling to sever longstanding ties with militant groups that it once sponsored in insurgencies in Afghanistan and India, even as these turn against Pakistan.

The Pakistan army “never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take, to ensure [the] safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan and the country’s territorial integrity”, the general said. “A country of 170m resilient people under a democratic dispensation, strongly supported by the army, is capable of handling any crisis that it may confront.”
He said victory against the terror and militancy would be achieved at all costs.

Gen Kiyani’s statement comes after international pressure for Pakistan to step up its fight against militants who have taken charge of the Swat valley where they have vowed to lay the foundation of an Islamic state. Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s president, signed a law this month permitting the introduction of sharia law in Swat in return for Taliban militants laying down their arms.

Rather than moving towards conciliation, the Taliban have shown signs of expanding their influence outside Swat into nearby regions. A Taliban militant alarmed Pakistan’s allies last week when he said publicly that Osama bin Laden would be welcomed as a “brother” in Taliban-controlled territory.

A senior western diplomat said: “[Gen Kiyani’s] remarks in fact tell us that the army, under pressure from the Americans, is drawing a red line against the Taliban.”

The army clashed on Sunday with Taliban militants in Dir, a remote northern region near Swat. A senior government official said deployments in Dir were a precursor to a military campaign against Tali

Islamabad said on Friday that Taliban militants had vacated Buner, south of Swat, after occupying it a day earlier.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/61d98198-328e-11de-8116-00144feabdc0.html

 

[SSGPA1]

Here is a response to Hillary Clinton. People were just questioining if Pakistan ever rebukes the US. Here is one example, just imagine what is said behind the closed doors.

 

[Beskar]

General Kiyani's full of hot air, nothing more. While he's comfortably 'responding' to Hillary from the comfort of GHQ, everyday the Taliban are advancing forward towards the capital. Sending a limited amount of FC troops doesn't make we want to believe when he says that "The Pakistan army “never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take, to ensure [the] safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan and the country’s territorial integrity”

Yes, Pakistan army never hesitated to sacrifice their everything for the survival and sovereignty of the country. But is he really leading the army on that motto? One can only wonder.

Of course he's not alone in this. Our incompetent government isn't taking any necessary measures either to ensure the people that security, peace, and sovereignty of Pakistan will be protected at all cost.

The people are worried Mr.Kiyani. The average Pakistani doesn't get to read your amazing response to Hillary. In your struggle to preserve 'Democracy' in Pakistan, I hope you don't fail to preserve the very existence of Pakistan. I sincerely hope so.

 

[SSGPA1]

Of course he's not alone in this. Our incompetent government isn't taking any necessary measures either to ensure the people that security, peace, and sovereignty of Pakistan will be protected at all cost.

The people are worried Mr.Kiyani. The average Pakistani doesn't get to read your amazing response to Hillary. In your struggle to preserve 'Democracy' in Pakistan, I hope you don't fail to preserve the very existence of Pakistan. I sincerely hope so.

People wantd democracy well here it is. Gen. Kiyani will not give the impression that GoP is not in command. Gen. Kiyani will do so much but he has a limit because the support is with our incomponent but 'democratically elected' govt.

I hope people learn from the results of 08 elections and vote responsibily in the next elections.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

General Kiyani's full of hot air, nothing more. While he's comfortably 'responding' to Hillary from the comfort of GHQ, everyday the Taliban are advancing forward towards the capital. Sending a limited amount of FC troops doesn't make we want to believe when he says that The Pakistan army “never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take, to ensure [the] safety and well-being of the people of Pakistan and the country’s territorial integrity”, the general said.

Yes, Pakistan army never hesitated to sacrifice their everything for the survival and sovereignty of the country. But is he really leading the army on that motto? One can only wonder.

Of course he's not alone in this. Our incompetent government isn't taking any necessary measures either to ensure the people that security, peace, and sovereignty of Pakistan will be protected at all cost.

The people are worried Mr.Kiyani. The average Pakistani doesn't get to read your amazing response to Hillary. In your struggle to preserve 'Democracy' in Pakistan, I hope you don't fail to preserve the very existence of Pakistan. I sincerely hope so.

Bezerk,

It is not Gen. Kiyani's decision to make.

The people wanted democracy, democracy means your elected political leaders are the ones entrusted with making the decisions.

If they do not perform up to your expectations, you cannot just expect this or that institution to violate the constitution and take matters into its own hands. No half-way rational person expected the democratic evolution of Pakistan to be easy or painless (though we hoped it might be), and we need to stick with it, warts and all and work to affect it through constitutional means, and not by arguing for unconstitutional steps by our preferred institutions.

Gen. Kiyani did what his authority allowed him to - he defended the institution he is in charge of and reiterated that the military was completely capable of doing what was required in conjunction with a democratic government.

"strongly supported by the army" - His words leave no doubt as to what the chain of command is here, and that is how it should be.

 

[Sambha]

I think there will be a military coup in Pakistan very soon, what does our Pakistani members think?

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I think there will be a military coup in Pakistan very soon, what does our Pakistani members think?

I hope not - and I am not in favor of one.

A military coup would do nothing to solve the issue behind the lack of military action in FATA and Swat - a deeply unpopular war amongst Pakistanis. A military coup would in fact further de-legitimize the war, if escalated by the Military after taking power. It would provide more fodder to the extremist propagandists and possibly allow them to make greater inroads into the other provinces.

The political parties and media would not take kindly to it (to put it lightly) and we would be back to marches and slogans of 'Dictatorship is the problem - Kiyani is a dictator and has usurped power'.

Absolutely nothing positive arising out of a coup that I can see, and I hope the military leadership sees the same.

 

[Beskar]

Bezerk,

It is not Gen. Kiyani's decision to make.

The people wanted democracy, democracy means your elected political leaders are the ones entrusted with making the decisions.

If they do not perform up to your expectations, you cannot just expect this or that institution to violate the constitution and take matters into its own hands. No half-way rational person expected the democratic evolution of Pakistan to be easy or painless (though we hoped it might be), and we need to stick with it, warts and all and work to affect it through constitutional means, and not by arguing for unconstitutional steps by our preferred institutions.

Gen. Kiyani did what his authority allowed him to - he defended the institution he is in charge of and reiterated that the military was completely capable of doing what was required in conjunction with a democratic government.

"strongly supported by the army" - His words leave no doubt as to what the chain of command is here, and that is how it should be.

I'm not saying that General Kiyani should send army's full strength on his own will. That's exactly why I said that he's not alone in this. The Incompetent government is also involved in tying his hands together. However on his part, It's his responsibility to provide the government with a STRONG case against the TTP, which have been given ENOUGH freedom to make ridiculous claims about taking Pakistan over. Once a strong case is presented, I don't see why ANY government wouldn't give a green signal to their forces for a full strength offensive.

If the rest of the Pakistan is convinced that we might end up losing different parts of our country (Like SWAT) then why isn't he or the Government? Just doesn't make any sense. They better be planning something big because this sure isn't the time to call each other's bluff.

 

[Kharian_Beast]

If the rest of the Pakistan is convinced that we might end up loosing different parts of our country (Like SWAT) then why isn't he or the Government? Just doesn't make any sense. They better be planning something big because this sure isn't the time to call each other's bluff.

I have heard many opinions along the lines of at this stage the semi official to official stance on the issue is that perhaps it was never was a complete part of Pakistan and should be treated with more inner autonomy but I believe the other side won out in the bargaining with the peace deal to put the tasty pink icing on it. Due to this inebriation their words will prove to be true and a few regions might suddenly declare autonomy once they are dug in better than termites.

 

[Sambha]

I hope not - and I am not in favor of one.

A military coup would do nothing to solve the issue behind the lack of military action in FATA and Swat - a deeply unpopular war amongst Pakistanis. A military coup would in fact further de-legitimize the war, if escalated by the Military after taking power. It would provide more fodder to the extremist propagandists and possibly allow them to make greater inroads into the other provinces.

The political parties and media would not take kindly to it (to put it lightly) and we would be back to marches and slogans of 'Dictatorship is the problem - Kiyani is a dictator and has usurped power'.

Absolutely nothing positive arising out of a coup that I can see, and I hope the military leadership sees the same.

Actually I watch a lot of Zaid hamid stuff, not that I agree with him, but he mentioned somewhere that Zardari and the current govt. is very weak and if the situation gets worse the military might have to take matters in their own hands. He even says that the sitting Pakistani govt. is an American puppet and he also criticizes the media very often. I have a feeling that Zaid is a secret mouthpiece for the Pakistani military establishment and the ISI.

What do you think?

 

[wtf]

Actually I watch a lot of Zaid hamid stuff, not that I agree with him, but he mentioned somewhere that Zardari and the current govt. is very weak and if the situation gets worse the military might have to take matters in their own hands. He even says that the sitting Pakistani govt. is an American puppet and he also criticizes the media very often. I have a feeling that Zaid is a secret mouthpiece for the Pakistani military establishment and the ISI.

What do you think?

Zardari government is weak, that is clear. But I don't think Army is going to intervene, or else they would already have. And taking matters into own hands does not imply taking over government , they already are powerful enough to overrule the government (ISI chief incident post Mumbai).

I don't think it is fair to ask people on the forum to justify what Zaid Hamid says - he says whatever gets maximum audience response.

 

[Sambha]

Zaid Hamid is just a mouth piece for the common Pakistani fed up with the way politics turns out in Pakistan, killings, inactions, looting, then the eventual coup etc. I've personally never written about him before, but I would suspect he has his handlers, but who doesn't?

Now with your government on my mind, aren't you a bit pissed that you got no revenge, nor real prosection for the Mumbai disaster? Don't you think that's more than a coincidence given the fact that the GoI says Kasab was a direct stooge of the ISI and military establishment while no other country reverberated this thought and a sole remaining terrorist is being convicted in front of a media circus ?

Zaid seem to be too brave to be an independent. I suspect he's planted by the ISI/Military.

No one canpiss off an India with terrorism. We have had lots of terror attacks beginning from the killing of Kashmiri Pundits in 1989, which I think Pakistan can't deny of having a hand.

And on Azmal Kasab, most of the world (except some tards like China etc.) sympathize with India...and know (or highly suspect) that
there might have been an Pakistani (may be non-state) involvement.

 

[Sambha]

I don't think it is fair to ask people on the forum to justify what Zaid Hamid says - he says whatever gets maximum audience response.

I was just wondering what could be in his (his handlers') agenda and how an ordinary Pakistani citizen reacts to his sermons.

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

At the end of the day--Gen Kyani would be known by the results that he got---his rhetoric maybe strong at this time---but his actions need to be seen by the public. We have been listening to the pak army generals for years now that pak army will do what is neccessary.

Well to date, it has not done so in a satsifactory manner---as a matter of fact the pak millitary excursions have been a total failure over the last 6 plus years of the campaign. The taliban have grown stronger and have carried out their attacks anywhere and everywhere they chose to at their discretion.

Things were so bad for our great millitary that a suicide bomber went into an officers mess of the pak special forces and blew himself up and killing many.

The general needs to get of his high horse and get to the ground---the situation on the ground is terrible---the pak army generals need to get with the program---but seemingly they have their own agendas---.

The russians learnt their lessons well in afghanistan---when chechnya happened---the russians pummelled the chechen warriors to the ground in a ruthless manner that only a russian can. The taliban need no different treatment.

It is just a matter of time. Either the pak army is going to do the job or the american and indian forces will do the job. If the later end up doing the job----there won't be no pak army left. The general needs to listen carefully to the warnings that he is being given.

 

[Solomon2]

The russians learnt their lessons well in afghanistan---when chechnya happened---the russians pummelled the chechen warriors to the ground in a ruthless manner that only a russian can. The taliban need no different treatment.

Not quite. As I understand it, the Russians pummelled the Chechens, then picked the toughest, meanest, most criminal and most ruthless of the Chechen leaders out and said, "Hey, we will support you in whatever you want to do to any of your fellows as long as you accept we're the boss and have final say over your country."