Our Foreign office spokesperson Tehmina Janjua said at the weekly media briefing on April 14 that the continuing drone attacks are “a core irritant” in the US-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation. Are these drone attacks, which are planned without taking the concerned Pakistani authorities on board, a mere irritant?
The latest Foreign Office statement is an indication of a come down on the stand taken earlier when General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, himself, had lodged a protest and asked Washington to put a stop to these strikes. Last month, the American Ambassador was called by the Foreign Office and firmly told to convey to Washington the unhappiness and deep concern of the Government of Pakistan and its people. Now, mark Tehmina’s recent words: “I would like to state that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with the US. Law enforcement and counterterrorism is one such track.” The tone contrasts with the stance taken by the Government of Pakistan earlier when Islamabad pulled out of the trilateral talks with the US and Afghanistan.
This softening of the approach has come after a bland statement of Mr Munter, the American Ambassador to Pakistan. To quote (April 11): “We have had some difficult days in the past. But I am here today to speak of opportunities in the future, not of problems in the past. These problems have been acute in recent months, symbolised by the case of Raymond Davis. We must not let this very regrettable incident stop us, as we work together. Instead, let us look for renewal.”
One may also take notice of the ISI Chief’s one-day visit to the US to meet CIA Director Leon Panetta. Little has been said by the Pakistani officials about the result of this meeting. A CIA official, however, has spoken, emphasising that the US intelligence agency’s relations with the ISI remained on a strong footing. But from the American press reports, it appears that Pasha’s pleas about drone attacks, including the advance exchange of information and reduction in the number of CIA operators in Pakistan, were met by a cold response and at best there was some indication of “limited concessions”. This was resoundingly confirmed by the renewal of the drone attacks after a few weeks’ lull when, on Wednesday last, Angoor Adda was hit. This occurred soon after Pasha left Washington.
The latest Foreign Office statement is an indication of a come down on the stand taken earlier when General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, himself, had lodged a protest and asked Washington to put a stop to these strikes. Last month, the American Ambassador was called by the Foreign Office and firmly told to convey to Washington the unhappiness and deep concern of the Government of Pakistan and its people. Now, mark Tehmina’s recent words: “I would like to state that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with the US. Law enforcement and counterterrorism is one such track.” The tone contrasts with the stance taken by the Government of Pakistan earlier when Islamabad pulled out of the trilateral talks with the US and Afghanistan.
This softening of the approach has come after a bland statement of Mr Munter, the American Ambassador to Pakistan. To quote (April 11): “We have had some difficult days in the past. But I am here today to speak of opportunities in the future, not of problems in the past. These problems have been acute in recent months, symbolised by the case of Raymond Davis. We must not let this very regrettable incident stop us, as we work together. Instead, let us look for renewal.”
One may also take notice of the ISI Chief’s one-day visit to the US to meet CIA Director Leon Panetta. Little has been said by the Pakistani officials about the result of this meeting. A CIA official, however, has spoken, emphasising that the US intelligence agency’s relations with the ISI remained on a strong footing. But from the American press reports, it appears that Pasha’s pleas about drone attacks, including the advance exchange of information and reduction in the number of CIA operators in Pakistan, were met by a cold response and at best there was some indication of “limited concessions”. This was resoundingly confirmed by the renewal of the drone attacks after a few weeks’ lull when, on Wednesday last, Angoor Adda was hit. This occurred soon after Pasha left Washington.
This news was published in print paper. To access the complete paper of this day. click here
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