DG ISI Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pashas meeting with CIA Chief Leon Panetta raises more question than it has answered when seen in the backdrop of the latest drone attack in South Waziristan. There has been a lot of media speculation about the Langley exchange but without any official confirmation from either side about what has been agreed to and what hasnt.
The CIAs reluctance to clearly spell out the terms of security cooperation and the DG ISIs abrupt departure from Washington highlighted disagreements between the two sides on how to move forward against extremists. They talk, we listen; they move, we observe. Given the situation we react operationally. The comment once made by a Bush Administration official makes it easier to understand the events that followed the Panetta-Pasha meeting.
Despite Mr Panettas remarks that relations between the CIA and Pakistans Inter Service Intelligence remained on solid footing, the US media painted a picture thats gloomier than the actual nature of ties between the two countries. The Washington Post quoted one of its leading columnists as having said that he was unable to verify reports that Pakistan had asked the US to withdraw 335 CIA officers, agency contractors and Special Forces operatives.
Theres a possibility that the number didnt come up in the meeting but it was highly unlikely that demands for slashing the number of CIA agents operating in Pakistan and scaling back of drone strikes in the troubled tribal region had not been raised by Gen Pasha. There was a rather logical assessment given by an American official: This wasnt some kind of ultimatum session, as some press reports have suggested it might be. The two leaders discussed common interests and a few concerns, all of which can be sorted out.
It is however disconcerting to hear from unnamed American intelligence officials that the CIA had no plans to abandon the drone bombing campaigns in Pakistan against terror suspects despite objections from leaders in Islamabad. They believe the criticism is only meant for domestic consumption. Both Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the Foreign Office sharply criticised the recent bombing raids and called upon the Obama Administration to stop them immediately. But it remains an open secret that the drone strikes had been taking place with the permission of our security establishment and political leadership. A startling statement in this regard was revealed in Obamas Wars with author Bob Woodward quoting President Zardari as having told a former CIA Chief: Kill the (Al-Qaeda)seniors. Collateral damage worries you Americans. It doesnt worry me.
This appears to be the continuity of the policies of the Musharraf era when the Americans were given concessions without much internal debate and in complete disregard of our national interest. It certainly suits the Obama Administration to deal with the current democratic dispensation but its vulnerability seemed to have compelled the Americans to sort out the issues concerning security cooperation directly with the military establishment, though they find it difficult to exact the kind of concessions they were earlier allowed because the Army under Gen Kayani is not ready to adhere to previous policy.
As far as the issue of security cooperation between the states is concerned, the United States has always been vague about its commitments because it understands that it can help it shift positions and readjust tactics as and when needed without being blamed for violating any agreement. The latest predator strike in the tribal belt coming on the heels of a crucial meeting at the CIA headquarters clearly indicates that the Americans have once again taken advantage of this ambivalence which remains a key to US diplomacy.
Given the fact that the intelligence partnership between Pakistan and the United States is fraught with complexity, there is all the more reason that Parliament should be immediately taken into confidence about the recent meeting between Gen Pasha and Director Panetta along with the list of demands presented by Pakistan and the CIAs response to them. The sharing of information can help the political and military leadership prepare a broad framework of policies pertaining to economic and military relations with the United States ahead of President Zardaris scheduled visit to Washington.
This should not be overlooked because the demand for an in-camera briefing has come from the mainstream opposition parties. It will not only help the PPP leadership allay public criticism of its governments indifference towards frequent violations of our sovereignty but also reduce an increase in pressure on the Army to launch operation in North Waziristan. The problem with the Americans is that they do not try to understand that there is a flaw in their peculiar approach which is about watching their own interests and not those of the allies.
The writer is Executive Editor, Pakistan Today.
