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  • Pakistani agents 'funding and training Afghan Taliban'



    Pakistani intelligence gives funding, training and sanctuary to the Afghan Taliban on a scale much larger than previously thought, a report says.

    Taliban field commanders interviewed for the report suggested that ISI intelligence agents even attend Taliban supreme council meetings.

    Support for the Afghan Taliban was "official ISI policy", the London School of Economics (LSE) authors suggest.

    Pakistan's military denied the claims.

    A spokesman said the allegations were "rubbish" and part of a malicious campaign against the country's military and security agencies.

    The LSE report comes at the end of one of the deadliest weeks for Nato troops in Afghanistan, with more than 30 soldiers killed.
    'Double game'

    Links between the Taliban and Pakistan's intelligence service have long been suspected, but the report's author - Harvard analyst Matt Waldman - says there is real evidence of extensive co-operation between the two.
    Continue reading the main story

    There is thus a strong case that the ISI orchestrates, sustains and shapes the overall insurgent campaign
    - Matt Waldman Report author

    "This goes far beyond just limited, or occasional support," he said. "This is very significant levels of support being provided by the ISI.

    "We're also saying this is official policy of that agency, and we're saying that it is very extensive. It is both at an operational level, and at a strategic level, right at the senior leadership of the Taliban movement."

    Mr Waldman spoke to nine Taliban field commanders in Afghanistan earlier this year.

    Some alleged that ISI agents had even attended meetings of the Taliban's top leadership council, the so-called Quetta shura. They claim that by backing the insurgents Pakistan's security service is trying to undermine Indian influence in Afghanistan.
    Taliban member in Pakistan's Buner region. File photo Taliban field commanders were interviewed by the report's author

    "These accounts were corroborated by former Taliban ministers, a Western analyst and a senior UN official based in Kabul, who said the Taliban largely depend on funding from the ISI and groups in Gulf countries," the report said.

    With US troops due to begin leaving next year, Pakistan and other regional players are increasingly seeking ways to assert their influence in Afghanistan, analysts say.

    Pakistan has long been accused of using the Taliban to further its foreign policy interests in the country. The ISI first became involved in funding and training militants in Afghanistan after the Soviet invasion in 1979.

    Since 2001, however, it has been a key US ally, receiving billions of dollars in aid in return for helping fight al-Qaeda

    "Pakistan appears to be playing a double-game of astonishing magnitude," the report says.
    'No proof'

    But Islamabad says it is working with its international partners in hunting down the Taliban.

    And the Taliban's former ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, says there is no proof of a link between the ISI and the Afghan Taliban.

    "I have no proof that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban," he told the BBC, "or that the ISI is providing money to them... or other support to provide weapons."

    Even so, Pakistan's role in Afghanistan is viewed as critical.

    Last week Afghan intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh resigned, saying he had become an obstacle to plans to talk to the Taliban.

    Mr Saleh told Reuters news agency a day after quitting that the ISI was "part of the landscape of destruction" in Afghanistan and accused Pakistan of sheltering Taliban leaders in safe houses.

    Pakistan has always denied such claims and points to arrests and military offensives against the militants on its side of the border. Nevertheless, parts of the tribal north-west of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan remain strongholds for the militants.

    The BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul says there is a growing understanding that military action alone will not be enough to bring peace in Afghanistan.

    "Without a change in Pakistani behaviour it will be difficult if not impossible for international forces and the Afghan government to make progress against the insurgency," the report concludes.


    BBC News - Pakistani agents 'funding and training Afghan Taliban'
    " THe SiLEnt KNighT.

  • #2
    Now this isn't really what one would call "Breaking News". It is however quite indicative of acknowledging the facts that India has been shouting about for the last decade.

    But the world chooses to fall for :

    And the Taliban's former ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Salam Zaeef, says there is no proof of a link between the ISI and the Afghan Taliban.

    "I have no proof that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban," he told the BBC, "or that the ISI is providing money to them... or other support to provide weapons."
    " THe SiLEnt KNighT.

    Comment


    • #3
      sohamsri Reply

      "But the world chooses to fall for..."

      Do we now?
      "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
      "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

      Comment


      • #4
        Besides theres already a thread on this: http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/war...-pakistan.html
        Cow is the only animal that not only inhales oxygen, but also exhales it.
        -Rekha Arya, Former Minister of Animal Husbandry

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by S-2 View Post
          "But the world chooses to fall for..."

          Do we now?
          Sir, unfortunately your opinion is not in sync with that of your government's. I wish it was.


          Tronic,

          My bad. I thought the other thread was a bit general, didn't see that link.
          " THe SiLEnt KNighT.

          Comment


          • #6
            sohamsri Reply

            "Sir, unfortunately your opinion is not in sync with that of your government's. I wish it was."

            My government? I'm gratified to see that the "the world" has now been boiled down to America. At least we've lifted the disingenuous veil from your comment and really, instead, focused your disdain-as I suspected.

            Personally, I shudder to think what Pakistan's behavior might be in the absence of America's interest and pressure upon them. I rather doubt that we'd seen operations conducted in S. Waziristan, Bajaur, and Orakzai nor any hint of forthcoming operations in N. Waziristan.

            Are you apprised of what's conveyed (or not) by American officials behind closed doors? I'm not. If you are, I'd like to know that too. If not, how would you know what we've expressed or otherwise?

            Finally, sohamsri, what would you propose be done about these accusations? I'd like to know. Would you find more public brow-beating by American officials useful? If so, how?

            Thanks.
            "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
            "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by S-2 View Post
              My government? I'm gratified to see that the "the world" has now been boiled down to America. At least we've lifted the disingenuous veil from your comment and really, instead, focused your disdain-as I suspected.
              It has not exactly boiled down to America. My reply was specifically to you, and hence I talked about the govt. of your country.
              That disdain is not directed towards America. It is directed towards our western neighbour.

              Just to make it clear, I don't intend to rant against any lack of action, as that would be completely fruitless. I just have some very elementary questions, which I hope I can get answered here.

              Personally, I shudder to think what Pakistan's behavior might be in the absence of America's interest and pressure upon them. I rather doubt that we'd seen operations conducted in S. Waziristan, Bajaur, and Orakzai nor any hint of forthcoming operations in N. Waziristan.
              Agree. But do you think there is much point in taking up such campaigns(on American money), taking captives under the publicity of sincerity, and releasing those very masterminds of terror next night ?

              If this is not hogwash, what is it ? What did the PA accomplish apart from killing a few Talib infantrymen, who will be replaced the next day ?

              Are you apprised of what's conveyed (or not) by American officials behind closed doors? I'm not. If you are, I'd like to know that too. If not, how would you know what we've expressed or otherwise?
              I'm not either. Whatever it is, I do not think its working as well as they might be intended to. However, this is pure speculation on my part. I may be wrong.

              Finally, sohamsri, what would you propose be done about these accusations? I'd like to know.
              I propose that they are given heavy publicity, especially in international meets such as UN summits to make Pakistan sincerely realize that no-one is buying their stories of non-involvement.

              Military methods aside(which have been discussed in-depth by you in the other thread), diplomatic pressure along the lines of those on Iran and N.Korea need to be applied to make Pakistan realize that keeping the West happy is the only bail-out for them.

              Changing policies radically on issues sensitive to Pakistan. Kashmir for eg.


              Would you find more public brow-beating by American officials useful? If so, how?
              I think I will. The public browbeating will soon have the entire international community standing against them.

              At the moment, Pakistan seems to live under the illusion of extreme dependence that the US has on them to successfully conclude WoT.

              Recently, if the link is to be believed, an alternate supply line through Russia is under consideration.
              More steps in this direction will be fruitful for waking up Pakistan.

              All of this aside, any successful conclusion can only be reached with the US/NATO forces marching into Pakistan. OR, make Afghanistan militarily powerful enough to challenge Pakistan in response to any such games.


              P.S. I leave for Calcutta in an hour, and would not have internet access there. I'll only be able to reply on 17th or 18th.
              " THe SiLEnt KNighT.

              Comment


              • #8
                sohamsri Reply

                "I leave for Calcutta in an hour, and would not have internet access there. I'll only be able to reply on 17th or 18th."

                Have a nice trip. That'll afford me some time to consider your thoughts and reply.
                "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

                Comment

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