By STEPHEN GRAHAM
Extract:
The new firing orders were disclosed by Pakistani army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas in an interview Tuesday with The Associated Press.
Abbas said Pakistani field commanders have previously been tolerant about international forces crossing a short way into Pakistan because of the ill-defined and contested nature of the mountainous frontier.
"But after the (Sept. 3) incident, the orders are clear," Abbas said. "In case it happens again in this form, that there is a very significant detection, which is very definite, no ambiguity, across the border, on ground or in the air: open fire."
The statement was the strongest since Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Pakistan's army chief, raised eyebrows last week by vowing to defend Pakistani territory "at all cost." Abbas would not say whether the orders were discussed in advance with U.S. officials.
Comment:
So it's confirmed Kiyani meant what he said a few days ago. Other developments are the Kuki Khel Tribal Leaders of Khyber Agency made a televised announcement yesterday threatening to block Nato Convoys to Torkham moving through their territory, saying categorically "This is one weapon we have". In South and North Waziristan, concrete bunkers are being built at a frantic pace by the tribal militants who have asked for mechanical assistance from the Army.
Military action against the Bajaur and Swat militants continues simultaneously. It appears Army has decided to ally with the 'Good' Taliban of Waziristan against incursions from across the border, while fighting the 'Bad' ones in Bajaur and Swat.
In the meantime, Zardari tries to convince Gordon Brown to put in a good word on Pakistan's behalf with Bush. He knows in case of a conflagration with US forces at the border, his political Government will be unlikely to survive!
It seems to me the Army has decided to act on its own re Nato/Afghanistan, having seen the Government bumbling in the dark. This became evident when Kiyani issued his now famous statement of defending borders at all cost, and there was a chorus in agreement from the Prime Minister's house only the following day.
Usually such matters are decided and policy statements issued by the Foreign Office and/or the Head of State, and not the Military Chief.
4 comments:
WHETHER KAYANI HAS HAUSLA OR NOT....WHETHER HE HAS RESOLUTION TO FACE THIS CRISIS WILL BE CLEAR IN NEXT FEW DAYS OR WEEKS...IT COULD BE A NOORA KUSHTI....A PRE FIXED DRAMA ...TO PROJECT PAKISTAN'S ARMY AS A CREDIBLE FORCE...OR REALLY THINGS HAVE HEATED UP.....I THINK LETS WAIT AND SEE....MY IDEA IS THAT THE WAY PAKISTANI ELITE IS PROGRAMMED THEY DARE NOT OPPOSE THE USA...ABSOLUTELY HOPELESS LOT
ASSESSMENT OF A RETIRED AIRFORCE OFFICER ABOUT THE SITUATION:--
I GOT THIS ASSESSMENT FROM AN AIRFORCE OFFICER:---
Dear Friends
20th centuries wars were characterised by an attack on the fielded armies on the peripheries and border regions of a country. This was usually followed by attacks on military-industrial complexes, then population centres and finally, if the Leadership was still around, then their heads. Somewhere in the eighties a USAF Col John Warden came up with what is now known as the Inside-Out Strategy of Warfare. Warden argued that, with airpower’s reach and destructive firepower, there was no need to start Outside, fighting the ground troops, then moving Inwards to destroy the industrial complexes (only to rebuild them anew), then the population centres and finally the Innermost Leadership. Air Power could take out the Leadership at the outset. A headless nation would capitulate easily thereafter. Iraq was the classic test case of this theory. While many of Iraqi leaders were taken out by air power, Saddam escaped but was as good as dead. Leadership first, that was the key.
A more nuanced corollary of the Inside-Out Theory was to take out the Leadership not necessarily by bombs, but by regime change. This worked in many client states like Shah’s Iran and now, Iraq and Afghanistan , very well. Puppets were installed who danced as only Maliki and Karzai have done. They prance, pirouette and bow to the Americans’ delight. They have bullet-proof vehicles, US Marines guards and the likes of Khalilzad, Boucher and Rice to massage their egos every once in a while.
US tried this with Musharraf and it worked….. upto a point. When they found him unyielding on some matters (nukes, I suspect) they hoodwinked a naïve and immature Mush to make him sign a regime change (read NRO) warrant. So here we are, a la NRO, with our newest President. The Americans are delighted. They have struck Pakistan Inside-Out. They are going to have their way, EVERY bit their way. They have got our Leadership. They have them by their balls. Inept, corrupt, shameless, dishonest, uneducated …… and open to blackmail. Bush even has the gall to tell our Head to disregard public opinion and stay focused on his (read our) mission. What Leadership? Wither Head? (Read the previous underlined sentence again, please). Capitulation is well nigh. God Help Pakistan.
"ABSOLUTELY HOPELESS LOT", I dunno Pavo. After all, this lot 'did' stand up to US pressure for nuke tests in 1998, regardless of severe consequences, even while already tied hand & foot by Larry Pressler!
I think the Pakistani nation 'does' care a lot about sovereignty issues, and does unite when it comes to foreign aggression as it did in 1965 too - despite the odds.
... they hoodwinked a naïve and immature Mush to make him sign a regime change (read NRO) warrant.
Excellent perspective. Very clear. How everything falls into place!
Post a Comment