US reaches out to Bajwa, offers ceasefire to Afghan

[fitpOsitive]

Pakistan, US break the ice as secretary of state calls up COAS to discuss Afghan peace

Chief of Army Staff Qamar Javed Bajwa and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa discussed the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan as President Ashraf Ghani announced a ceasefire with the Taliban, officials said on Thursday.

Pompeo, who was the head of CIA before his appointment as secretary of state, telephoned the army chief on Thursday and according to the State Department discussed “advancing US-Pakistani relations, the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan and the importance of targeting all militant and terrorist groups in South Asia without any distinction.”

Heather Nauert‏Verified account @statedeptspox

.@SecPompeo also spoke today w/ Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Qamar Bajwa. They discussed advancing U.S.-Pakistani relations, the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan, and the importance of targeting all militant and terrorist groups in South Asia w/o distinction.

3:52 PM - 6 Jun 2018

This was the first interaction between the new secretary of state and the army chief which came amid deterioration in ties between the two estranged allies.

Only last month, the two countries had imposed tit-for-tat travel restrictions on each other’s diplomats suggesting a new low in their troubled ties.

At the heart of the controversy are the differences between the two sides on how to put an end to the lingering conflict in Afghanistan.

Despite Pakistan’s multiple operations in the tribal areas against militant groups, the US is still not convinced that Islamabad has taken out all outfits, particularly the Haqqani Network which is responsible for most deadly attacks on US-led forces in Afghanistan.

Nevertheless, the two countries are looking for a common ground on Afghanistan. A senior US general in Afghanistan recently revealed that talks were held between Kabul and the Afghan Taliban.

Observers believe such talks were not possible without Pakistan’s facilitation because it has critical role in the Afghan peace talks.

The understanding between Pompeo and Gen Bajwa on the need for political reconciliation in Afghanistan coincided with by President Ghani’s announcement of a ceasefire with the Taliban till June 20.

The Afghan president, however, made it clear that fighting against other militant groups such Islamic State would continue.

Meanwhile, Pakistan strongly condemned the recent suicide attack that targeted a congregation of religious scholars in Kabul.

“We are grieved at the loss of precious innocent lives in this barbaric act of terrorism. We express our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of the injured,” said Dr Muhammad while speaking at a weekly news briefing.

He reiterated Pakistan’s unequivocal condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed solidarity with the people and government of Afghanistan in this hour of grief and sorrow.

Dear USA, First of all, we are not happy about that you are bringing ISIS from Syria to Afghanistan. Secondly, your mad dogs are roaming this region to bite us, no problem. We will kill everything you created so far to harm us. Thirdly, a sincere advice, if you want a better position in the region, go to Kashmir, and leave Afghanistan. Fourthly, we know what you are up to, so no cheating, or be prepared for a kick on....

 

[Basel]

Bill Gates call was more to thank Gen. Bajwa for his anti-terror efforts which have helped with polio eradication campaign.

As for American government about-urn, well, after seeing his threat fail, America the big bluffer had to come down.

US don't run things like that, real issue discussed are not publicized in diplomacy usually.

 

[Max]

It would be better if Mike first called upon the respective representative of Govt. of Pak and then called the COAS. So much for promoting democracy by not engaging the civilian govt.

US vice President called PM same day.

 

[PDF]

US vice President called PM same day.

Before or afterwards? Does it make sense that our FM call Resolute Support Mission Chief first and later our president calls Trump to congratulate him on North Korean Summit happening in Singapore?

They should call upon the civilian govt first to discuss US Pak relations and the Afghan issue.

 

[Max]

Before or afterwards? Does it make sense that our FM call Resolute Support Mission Chief first and later our president calls Trump to congratulate him on North Korean Summit happening in Singapore?

They should call upon the civilian govt first to discuss US Pak relations and the Afghan issue.

The same day, I don't know after or before, it was reported around 8PM that same day..

 

[ghazi52]

US, Pakistan working to jump-start Afghan peace process

SENIOR adviser to US president Lisa Curtis says a key component to catalysing a peace process is ensuring that Pakistan also stays engaged.


WASHINGTON: The United States and Pakistan have worked together in arranging a temporary ceasefire in Afghanistan, hoping that it would jump-start the Afghan reconciliation process, official and diplomatic sources told Dawn.

At a Thursday afternoon seminar, a senior US official confirmed that Washington was pursuing “multiple lines of effort” for bringing peace to Afghanistan and an important component of that effort was to ensure that Pakistan played “a constructive role” in it.

“We have asked for Pakistan’s assistance in facilitating a peace process,” said Lisa Curtis, a senior adviser to the US president.

Trump’s adviser Lisa Curtis says Islamabad’s assistance has been sought

“And we have sought to understand Pakistan’s own core security concerns and ensure that its interests are taken into account in any peace process.” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Thursday that US and Nato troops in Afghanistan will also observe this truce and there will be no attack on the militants if they do not breach the ceasefire arrangement.

Pakistan’s role in the ceasefire was also discussed at a news briefing by a senior administration official in Washington. “We’re certainly hopeful that both the Taliban and those … or countries that have some degree of influence with the Taliban will equally support this limited duration ceasefire,” he said.

At this news briefing, called hours after Secretary Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence spoke to Pakistani leaders, journalists pointed out that while Washington and Islamabad present the ceasefire as an Afghan initiative, people in Afghanistan believe that it was pushed by the Americans and the Pakistanis.

The senior administration official avoided getting into a discussion over what role did the US and Pakistan play in arranging the ceasefire. Ms Curtis said that an important component to catalysing a peace process in Afghanistan was ensuring that Pakistan also stayed engaged.

“We have to be clear that Pakistan’s interests are not served by a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan,” she said in her keynote address at a Washington think-tank, the US Institute of Peace. “Pakistan has a fundamental responsibility to address the use of its territory by these malign actors.”

Explaining the new US approach towards Pakistan, Ms Curtis said: “One can acknowledge Pakistan’s complex security calculus without absolving it of its responsibility to do something of these malign actors.”

Responding to the Taliban position that they would hold direct talks with the US, not with the Afghan government, she said: “The US is ready to participate in the discussion, but we cannot serve as a substitute for the Afghan government and the Afghan people.”

Pakistan was once a key ally in the US-led war against terror but relations between the two countries began to strain after Washington raided Osama bin Laden’s den in Abbottabad in 2011, without informing Islamabad.

The Trump administration’s new South Asia strategy, which blames Pakistan for continued fighting in Afghanistan, further strained the relations. And in January this year, the US suspended its security assistance to Pakistan and later the two countries also imposed travel restrictions on each other’s diplomats.

That’s why Thursday’s telephone calls — from Mr Pence to the caretaker prime minister and from Mr Pompeo to the Pakistan army chief — were seen in both Washington and Islamabad as the first major move towards improving the strained relations.

“The United States appears to be easing public pressure on Pakistan in a bid to encourage the country to help promote peace and reconciliation with the Taliban to bring an end to the war in Afghanistan,” observed the official Voice of America radio.

 

[Meengla]

US foreign policy vis a vis Pakistan revolves around two things. One is Afghanistan and the other India. India dictates much of US policy regarding Pakistan. The US has no independent policy.

Kind of right about Afghanistan and India as major factors. But I think American planners also factor in China and Iran into the equation when dealing with Pakistan. IF Pakistan were to dump China and join in the 'containment' of China camp then you will see things will change quickly: Pakistan will be portrayed as a 'victim' of terrorism, blah blah.

Iran is being framed for a future war and of course having Pakistan-Iran border as another place to damage Iran would be great for the Israel-Firsters in America.

But after so openly berating Pakistan for years, especially starting with the current orangutan president of America, there is no chance Pakistan will fall for any peanuts--not that Pakistan would ever betray Iran or China anyway.

As for India, yes, the Indian lobby is very strong in America but they don't have the kind of power you have implied here. I'd wager that if Pakistan offers a better deal to America then even now Indian interests would be ignored by Washington. India is not the Israel for Washington.

 

[YeBeWarned]

Pakistan lost its influence over Afghanistan ..

 

[Dalit]

Kind of right about Afghanistan and India as major factors. But I think American planners also factor in China and Iran into the equation when dealing with Pakistan. IF Pakistan were to dump China and join in the 'containment' of China camp then you will see things will change quickly: Pakistan will be portrayed as a 'victim' of terrorism, blah blah.

Iran is being framed for a future war and of course having Pakistan-Iran border as another place to damage Iran would be great for the Israel-Firsters in America.

But after so openly berating Pakistan for years, especially starting with the current orangutan president of America, there is no chance Pakistan will fall for any peanuts--not that Pakistan would ever betray Iran or China anyway.

As for India, yes, the Indian lobby is very strong in America but they don't have the kind of power you have implied here. I'd wager that if Pakistan offers a better deal to America then even now Indian interests would be ignored by Washington. India is not the Israel for Washington.

I absolutely agree that India is not like Israel for the US. India is rather the best substitute the US could find in this region.

US India partnership is truly a blessing for Pakistan. It has allowed Pakistan to move away from the one-sided exploitation and look for alternatives.

 

[pzfz]

This chutia of the highest order should never been entertained. What the hell is Bajwa sb thinking. Pompeo is known for his anti Pakistan stance, we should simply tell him to F off till the time US understands and accepts Pakistan as an equally important partner in Afghan peace process and someone they cannot just play with and than throw it away like a soiled tissue paper.
Bajwa sb we expect better from you till the time a proper civilian government takes charge.

Bajwa is a kaddu of the highest order. His whole team is. ISPR Spokesperson, ISI Chief, to the NSA.