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Did the US deliberately undermine Pakistani peace negotiations with TTP?

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  • Did the US deliberately undermine Pakistani peace negotiations with TTP?

    Quite a few commentators in Pakistan are skeptical about US intentions in killing Waliur Rehman, especially since the US (SoS John Kerry) endorsed talks with the Taliban to arrive at a negotiated peace just a few days ago - here is an excerpt quoting a Tribal elder from FATA:
    Rehman, 42, was considered as a moderate commander in the Pakistani Taliban compared to some of his colleagues.

    "Personally, he was not in favor of suicide attacks in Pakistan,” said Mahsud tribal elder Malik Mahsud Ahmad. “He always supported peace talks between the government and Taliban. I am worried after his death as bloodshed could again start in the country.”

    "I am not aware if has been killed, but I believe it wasn't the right time to kill a prominent figure like Waliur Rehman when the newly elected government wanted to hold peace talks with the militants," Ahmad added.
    US drone attack kills Taliban No. 2 in Pakistan, officials and locals say - World News
    Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
    https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

  • #2
    Pakistani Taliban withdraw peace talks offer

    PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — The Pakistani Taliban withdrew their offer of peace talks Thursday, following the death of the group’s deputy leader in an American drone attack, a spokesman for the insurgent group said.

    The news is a blow to the incoming government of Nawaz Sharif, elected partly on promises to bring about peace after years of deadly attacks by militants against civilians and security forces.

    Ahsanullah Ahsan confirmed to The Associated Press in a telephone call from an undisclosed location Thursday that the group’s second-in-command, Waliur Rehman, was killed Wednesday in an American drone attack in the tribal areas of Pakistan that border Afghanistan.

    Pakistani officials said at the time that at least four other militants were killed in the attack.

    The militant group had said earlier that it was open to peace talks. But Ahsan said Thursday that the Taliban believe the government approves of the drone strikes so they are withdrawing their offer of peace talks.

    ‘‘We had made the offer for peace talks with the government with good intention but we think that these drone attacks are carried out with the approval of the government so we announce the end of the talks process,’’ he said.

    The Pakistani Taliban, formed in late 2007, aims to overthrow the Pakistani government, which it believes is too closely aligned with the United States. The militant group has been responsible for hundreds of shootings and bombings across Pakistan that have resulted in thousands of deaths.

    Earlier this year the group had indicated it was open to the idea of peace talks to end years of fighting if certain individuals including two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif were involved.

    The talks did not go anywhere at the time but the victory of Sharif’s party at the polls on May 11 once again brought the issue to the forefront.

    Days after the election Sharif, who is set to become prime minister for a third time, called for peace talks with the Taliban militants.

    Sharif said Taliban offers to talk should be taken seriously.

    http://www.boston.com/news/world/asi...OdM/story.html
    Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
    https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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    • #3
      Hmm, well maybe Pakistan will learn that no matter what "Peace" they think they can achieve, they wont achieve it.

      There is no "grey area" when dealing with people like this. About the only thing they may agree upon is a "boundary". But that does not solve the problem and as the world has seen more times then we care to count there is no peace between those with idealogical demands and the modern day people.

      There must be Law, and not Sharia Law. Until they understand that as was phrased to you before "your pissing in the wind".

      Is it not readily apparent why Pakistan has these problems and has for a long time?

      They call them Militants for a reason, if you disgree with their outragous radical religious demands someone is going to die (man, woman or child) or the nation goes piss poor over infastructure destruction.

      If the past doesnt reveal that clearly enough then they deserve nothing but turmoil and the country never rise as a word power.
      Last edited by Dreadnought; 30 May 13,, 18:42.
      Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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      • #4
        Let me get this straight. The US kills the 2-in-C of an organization responsible for murdering thousands of Pakistanis, and Pakistani commentators find a way to twist that into a conspiracy theory about the US seeking to undermine peace in Pakistan?

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        • #5
          As was noted in the drone thread, the US had a $5 million dollar bounty on his head. Waliur Rehman was responsible for a 2009 bomb attack in Afghanistan which killed 7 CIA agents.
          sigpic

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          • #6
            Originally posted by Firestorm View Post
            Let me get this straight. The US kills the 2-in-C of an organization responsible for murdering thousands of Pakistanis, and Pakistani commentators find a way to twist that into a conspiracy theory about the US seeking to undermine peace in Pakistan?
            Is it really any different than the Western media propaganda of 'Pakistan undermining the Afghan dialog process by arresting Mullah Baradar and company'?
            Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
            https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Dreadnought View Post
              Hmm, well maybe Pakistan will learn that no matter what "Peace" they think they can achieve, they wont achieve it.

              There is no "grey area" when dealing with people like this. About the only thing they may agree upon is a "boundary". But that does not solve the problem and as the world has seen more times then we care to count there is no peace between those with idealogical demands and the modern day people.

              There must be Law, and not Sharia Law. Until they understand that as was phrased to you before "your pissing in the wind".

              Is it not readily apparent why Pakistan has these problems and has for a long time?

              They call them Militants for a reason, if you disgree with their outragous radical religious demands someone is going to die (man, woman or child) or the nation goes piss poor over infastructure destruction.

              If the past doesnt reveal that clearly enough then they deserve nothing but turmoil and the country never rise as a word power.
              The two major political parties elected in the 2013 elections campaigned on a promise of ending the insurgency through dialog with the TTP - whether or not dialog will work is for the Pakistani government and people to determine, and it is for Pakistan to face the consequences of the decisions made, as was the case in Swat.
              Last edited by Agnostic Muslim; 30 May 13,, 21:18.
              Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
              https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Agnostic Muslim View Post
                The two major political parties elected in the 2013 elections campaigned on a promise of ending the insurgency through dialog with the TTP - whether or not dialog will work is for the Pakistani government and people to determine, and it is for Pakistan to face the consequences of the decisions made, as was the case in Swat.
                And it will no doubt and IMO and many others it will find itself starting over again when these fail. All they could possibly reach by any stretch of intelligent thinking is a "boundary". That "boundary" will only last but for so long as Pakistan "If" it chooses to make that deal knows that all to well because they (the militants) will not change and any countries troops they attack in other countries such as Afghanistan & Iraq while living and training on Pakistani soil is no doubt going to being them (troops, drones etc) to your doorstep once again.

                Wether your politics/military supporters call it legal or illegal the Pakistani governement will still be held responsible and mopre incursions and drone strikes will come.

                You have to wonder that by not learning from the past what they could possibly expect from the future given the disasterous policies they have embraced.
                Last edited by Dreadnought; 31 May 13,, 17:35.
                Fortitude.....The strength to persist...The courage to endure.

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                • #9
                  I remain dubious about any dialogue or "peace talks" with terrorists.

                  In public, they will genuflect and mumble all the correct words. Behind your back, they will plot to kill you in the most horrific manner possible. They will not stop, or rest, until their vision for the region and ultimately the world will be achieved.

                  Godwin's law does not apply when there is a genuine parallel. Think "peace talks" and concessions vis the Third Reich in the years and months prior to September 1939.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Dreadnought View Post

                    You have to wonder that by not learning from the past what they could possibly expect from the future given the disasterous policies they have embraced.
                    Are American politicians really any different?
                    Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
                    https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Chogy View Post
                      I remain dubious about any dialogue or "peace talks" with terrorists.

                      In public, they will genuflect and mumble all the correct words. Behind your back, they will plot to kill you in the most horrific manner possible. They will not stop, or rest, until their vision for the region and ultimately the world will be achieved.

                      Godwin's law does not apply when there is a genuine parallel. Think "peace talks" and concessions vis the Third Reich in the years and months prior to September 1939.
                      I agree with you, but the problem is one of winning overwhelming public support for government policies and a large chunk of Pakistanis want the PMLN government to try 'genuine negotiations' with the TTP to bring about an end to the violence. I personally expect nothing better than the Swat fiasco, but the government still has to go through the motions to show the people that it tried a 'non-military solution'.
                      Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
                      https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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                      • #12
                        The incoming PMLN's official response:

                        US sabotaged peace process by conducting drone attack: Nisar
                        Friday, 31 May 2013 19:10
                        Posted by Abdul Ahad

                        ISLAMABAD: Central leader of the PML-N Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is expected to be the next Interior Minister, said on Friday that the US had tried to sabotage the peace efforts in Pakistan by conducting a drone attack on elements that were cooperating in the peace process.

                        Talking to media persons here at the Parliament House, Chaudhry Nisar said the US pushed Pakistan into a meaningless and fruitless war by making a threatening phone call 12 years ago to pursue its own interests, and now it was again conducting drone strikes in Pakistan to sabotage the peace process and pursue its own interests.

                        The statement of the N-League stalwart came after consultation with the party chief Mian Nawaz Sharif, and political and diplomatic circles are viewing this statement of Chaudhry Nisar a policy statement of the PML-N, which is about to take over the reign of power in the Centre.

                        However, Chaudhry Nisar told media persons that Nawaz Sharif after making the government will announce a national policy after taking all the political parties and stakeholders into confidence. "The implementation of the national policy will also be ensured," said Chaudhry Nisar.

                        Terming the drone strikes as attack on Pakistan's independence, sovereignty and solidarity, the PML-N leader said these attacks were the biggest hurdle in establishing durable peace in the region.

                        He expressed disappointment over the announcement of the TTP to withdraw the peace talks offer, and said now a new policy for starting new phase of talks will be devised after formation of the government at the Centre.

                        About Balochistan, he said the PML-N has introduced two elements of good governance and peace for formation of government in the province. He said all the parties have given the discretion of appointing the chief minister in Balochistan to Nawaz Sharif.

                        He said all the meetings of the PML-N held in Lahore so far were held on two points agenda of ending loadshedding and improvement of economy.

                        Copyright INP (Independent News Pakistan), 2013

                        US sabotaged peace process by conducting drone attack: Nisar
                        Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
                        https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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                        • #13
                          Nawaz deeply disappointed by drone attack: PML-N wants US to give peace a chance

                          LAHORE, May 31: Irritated by this week’s drone attack which killed Taliban’s front-rank leader Waliur Rehman, the PML-N said here on Friday it would ask the United States to exercise “restraint and give peace a chance”.

                          The chief of the party and incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif expressed “serious concern and deep disappointment” over the drone strike.

                          “The drone attack is not only a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity but also an action that has been declared a violation of international law and UN charter,” he said in a statement.

                          According to a PML-N leader, a close aide of Mr Sharif has conveyed his point of view to US Chargé d’Affaires Richard Hoagland. The diplomat was told that the attack — days after President Obama’s ‘crossroads’ speech — was highly regrettable, “particularly as the president had spoken of initiating a new policy which would ensure greater exercise of care and caution in the use of this technology”.

                          Mr Sharif’s aide also pointed out that meaningful consultations and close cooperation between the two countries should be the “desired course of action”, rather than unilateral measures.

                          PML-N Senator Pervaiz Rashid said the drone strike was not good for the incoming government’s efforts for peace. “The US should have shown restraint knowing the government is going to hold peace talks with Taliban,” he told Dawn.

                          “The PML-N hopes that a single incident will not sabotage the peace efforts the incoming government intends to initiate (with the Taliban). Even during negotiations such incidents take place,” he added.

                          Mr Rashid, who is reportedly being considered for the post of information minister, said: “We are not panicky about Taliban’s announcement for withdrawal of the offer for peace talks. We are confident that our noble cause will not be affected by this incident.”

                          The Taliban withdrew their offer for peace talks and vowed to avenge the killing of Waliur Rehman.

                          Asked if his party would be able to persuade the TTP to come to the negotiating table despite the death of its important leader and ask it not to insist on revenge, Senator Rashid said: “The PML-N will not only tell the US but also the Taliban to give peace a chance. There has been a lot of bloodshed and now peace should be given a chance.”

                          Punjab chief minister in-waiting Shahbaz Sharif said: “We will hold talks with the US on the issue of drone attacks because these are against the country’s sovereignty and integrity.”

                          The PML-N circles are wondering why the US launched the drone attack when had Nawaz Sharif made it clear that he was serious about peace talks with the Taliban. They said the US had even hinted that it had no objection to the incoming government’s initiative for dialogue.

                          US Ambassador Richard Olson recently told reporters that it was a prerogative of the (PML-N) government to hold talks with Taliban. “The US government has no objection if Pakistan enters into talks with Taliban,” he said. In a speech after winning the May 11 elections, Nawaz Sharif said about 40,000 precious lives hade been lost and the national economy was suffering a loss of billions of dollars (in the war against terrorism).

                          “Why should not we sit for a dialogue to restore peace? Is it a bad option? No, it is the best available option as guns are not a solution to every problem. Taliban’s dialogue offer should be taken seriously,” he said.
                          Nawaz deeply disappointed by drone attack: PML-N wants US to give peace a chance - DAWN.COM
                          Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah
                          https://twitter.com/AgnosticMuslim

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