Pakistani Journalist Embarrasses US Ambassador On Haqqani Evidence
Posted: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 17:37:10 +0000
source: PakNationalists.com
'From Pakistani areas to Kabul there is a lot of distance', but Cameron Munter refused to accept US military's responsibility for securing Afghanistan.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—US ambassador Cameron Munter tried to use an interview with the Pakistani state-run radio to peddle a theory linking an Afghan group, the Haqqanis, to the brazen attack on US embassy and NATO office in Kabul.
But what Mr. Munter did not expect is robust counter-questioning by Murtaza Solangi, the director of the government's largest media organization, Pakistan Broadcasting Corp.
The US government was quick to accuse Pakistan citing alleged links to the Haqqanis. US officials and think-tanks have long peddled this conspiracy theory without evidence.
Pakistani analysts suspect that Washington is trying to use the attack to pressure Pakistan into opening new war fronts with Afghan groups.
Mr. Solangi asked the ambassador a general question about the state of Pak-American relations. Mr. Munter was quick to jump to the theory about alleged Pakistani ties to the Haqqanis, who are based in Afghanistan.
"These relations today need a lot of work (…) But let me tell you that the attack that took place in Kabul a few days ago that was the work of the Haqqani network (…) there is evidence linking the Haqqani network to the Pakistan government," Munter said.
But Solangi quickly countered: "How do you convince me that the recent Kabul attack was the work of Haqqani network?"
Mr. Munter's curt reply: "It's just we believe that to be the case."
Mr. Solangi seized the weakness of the US position: "But why would world believe you if you don't come out with concrete evidence?"
The US ambassador dodged the question by delivering a general line about "open and frank talks" between Washington and Islamabad.
Mr. Solangi hammered him again, questioning the competence of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan.
"Let me just buy this that this was the work of Haqqani network," said Solangi. "From Pakistani areas all the way to Kabul there is a lot of distance. Where is NATO? Where is ISAF? Where is Afghan National Army (…) Why do they not take responsibility for the large area that is under the control of international forces and Afghan government and just blame the Pakistani side?"
Munter said he was not "pointing fingers and blaming" and said what he meant is that Pakistan should work with the United States "to fight all these people who are attacking us."
Solangi retorted: "Do you accept that it was also the failure of the international forces not to detect those people who [allegedly] came all the way to Kabul from Pakistani side and did that?"
Munter refused to blame his government and US military and repeated his line, "The point here is we have to make sure that we work together as much as we can to prevent this from happening."
Mr. Solangi also criticized US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's implicit threat of military action inside Pakistan and said it "smacks of unilateralism."
Mr. Munter did not mince words here: "We have always said we will (…) The way we want to see that is through working with our Pakistani friends."
The interview, posted on Radio Pakistan's website, indicated that US officials are not willing to address the US failure to protect its diplomats and soldiers in Afghanistan, its failure to produce evidence linking the Afghan mess to any group in Pakistan, and the US insistence that Pakistan open a new war front against Afghan groups, a step that would make Pakistan a party to internal Afghan conflict and would not be in Pakistani interest.
Pakistan will have to highlight the weaknesses in the US case more openly. As to Mr. Panetta's implicit threat, Islamabad should finally say it: the UN mandate in Afghanistan after 9/11 does not permit the United States any freedom of action outside Afghan borders. This includes the illegal CIA drones. These American actions can be challenged in the International Court of Justice. Pakistan should place this option should be on the table.
Shahzad Shameem
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