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| India-Pakistan |
| US Troops (Blackwater?) to Participate in Operations in Tribal Areas |
| 2008-03-05 |
| Hundreds of US troops will be involved in military operations in Pakistan's restive tribal areas, according to a former head of the country's powerful intelligence agency, ISI. “Seven hundred and fifty American commandoes will participate in upcoming military operations in the Pakistani tribal areas," retired General Hamid Gul, former ISI director-general, told Adnkronos International (AKI). “I confirm this to you on the basis of my information that those American commandoes will be sent [to Pakistan] through private [security] contracting firms like Blackwater and they will supervise the whole operation," said Gul referring to Blackwater, a private security firm that has been at the centre of a controversy over private contractors in Iraq. The firm came under scrutiny after a shootout last year in which 11 Iraqis were killed. Gul was head of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence service between 1987 and 1989 and worked closely with the CIA during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. He reportedly became disillusioned with the US when it failed to follow through on Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal and called on Muslims to "stand united to confront the US in its war on terror" after the 11 September 2001 attacks. Reports in the US media on Sunday said that Washington is sending 100 military trainers to Pakistan who may also participate in operations against the militants. Pakistan will also continue its efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the conflict with tribesmen who back the Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents, sources in Washington told the Pakistani daily Dawn, adding that the military offensive will not terminate the peace talks. Meanwhile on Tuesday, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, is in Pakistan, the second such visit in 17 days. Mullen was expected to meet Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, the head of the Pakistan armed forces, General Ashfaq Kayani, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed as well as civilian leaders. Musharraf is seen as a key US ally in its war on terror and Gul believes that the alliance between the Americans and Pakistan's president Pervez Musharraf is forcing the Pakistan Army to carry out an operation which it is not ready for. “The Pakistan armed forces are not ready to fight against their own tribal brethren. That’s why these American commandoes will be sent to Pakistan to take part in the action, and that’s why Americans will supervise the operation,” Gul maintained. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #6 True, LR, but I do prefer the "bring justice to our enemies" approach. |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-03-05 19:00 |
| #5 If I recall correctly, Bush said something to the effect: "Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done." 'Lovely turn of phrase there. |
| Posted by: Lone Ranger 2008-03-05 18:50 |
| #4 President Bush promised to bring the killers to justice. It certainly appears that 2008 is going to be a year of rolling up al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Mr. Bush apparently keeps his promises. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-03-05 17:21 |
| #3 Enjoy yourselves, gentlemen. The less that's reported in the open sources we see -- except for the frequent promotion announcements of new #3s -- the happier I'll be. ;-) Is this a good cop, bad cop situation? Pakistan negotiates, we harm? |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2008-03-05 17:02 |
| #2 The Pakistan armed forces are not ready to fight against their own tribal brethren. ThatÂ’s why these American commandoes will be sent to Pakistan to take part in the action, and thatÂ’s why Americans will supervise the operation... And that is why AQ is pooping themselves. |
| Posted by: DarthVader 2008-03-05 15:41 |
| #1 ROE: "If you see something you don't like, feel free to make it likable." |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-03-05 15:39 |