American doubts about Pak efforts

Pakistan OBSERVER, Tue, Feb,26, 2008.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema
 

The recent reports indicate that the American continue to doubt Pakistani efforts against the militants on the western front. The US wants Pakistan to take even stronger actions against the militants in the tribal areas as they believe that the activities of the militants on this border are contributing towards the instability in Afghanistan. Not only the Wall Street Journal reported that country’s new leadership is generating signal for a softer approach but also the Pentagon spokesman reportedly stated the likely review of American aid to Pakistan.

Being hit by wave of suicide bombing, the American believe that country’s senior military leaders have realized the need for a more aggressive campaign against the militants responsible for bloodshed. However the US also seem to believe that the key members of the two victorious parties in the recent elections namely the Pakistan People’s Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-N want to open talks with the militants operating along Pakistan’s western border.

The US has been trying to secure green light from the Pakistani officials to undertake more strikes inside Pakistani territories which the Pakistanis are resolutely resisting. Pentagon officials have publicly expressed their willingness to mount joint combat operations with Pakistani military if the Pakistanis make such a request. ‘If I was wearing different hat and was in the Pakistani military, I would be deeply concerned about the unrest and lack of stability and security that appears to be caused by Talibanization’, said Major General Jeffrey Schloesser who commands the Army’s 101st Airborne Division which is going to be deployed in Afghanistan in this spring.

Despite repeated such statements, the Pakistani have opposed to allow direct American ventures inside Pakistani territory. It is a well known and frequently reported fact that the Americans undertook strikes inside Pakistani territory in the past which were extremely unpopular and at times even caused the angry expression of resentment. However the Pakistanis agreed for American help in terms of training in order to prepare the forces for a long term struggle against the militants.

The political efforts to control the militancy in the tribal areas appear to be intensely disliked by the Americans. Many reports indicate that the recent lull in activities and as some call it a cease fire has been a subject of criticism by most Americans. Undoubtedly if the past experience is indicative of future behavior then the American seem correct when they argue that the militant leaders are merely going to use such periods for regrouping and refurbishing purposes.

According to both American and some Pakistani analysts the Pakistan army’s successes which were the result of its concerted efforts would be wasted if the push was slackened for one reason or the other. It has been recognized by all quarters that the recent push by Pakistan army’s was the most effective. However some believe that once the militants are cornered they tend to ask for negotiations.

The statements by the leaders of victorious political parties does not really reflect a softer approach as alleged by the American analysts. In fact it is in some ways a pragmatic approach. It is not too far fetched to assume that like other Pakistanis the people of tribal areas and even Taliban must have been watching developments inside Pakistan-more specifically they must have been following the recent elections.

The emergence of moderate forces in Pakistan must have sent appropriate signals to the militants which imply that they cannot carry on with their militant activities in the region. Just before the elections the militants began a campaign to target ANP and even managed to assassinate some of their leaders along with the killing of other innocent civilians. The primary objective of this campaign was indeed to express their dislike for the secular policies of the ANP.

Undoubtedly the spate of terrorist suicide bombings following the Lal Masjid episode which took a very heavy toll of innocent civilian in fact radically impacted upon the people of Pakistan resulting into rapidly depleting sympathy for the militants. The election results clearly revealed that the Pakistanis have become extremely fed up with militant’s tactics and are determined to effectively control their activities.

Almost all concerned are aware of the dire need to carry on fight against terrorism. The emergence of moderate forces merely implies that all approaches would be employed to eliminate this menace. There is not much need for the Americans to either keep reminding the dangerous implications of the terrorism or even embark upon pressurization tactics to have Pakistani efforts sustained.

It can be safely assumed that any government that comes into power would continue its efforts in the war against terrorism. In the past it has been repeatedly stressed that Pakistan’s participation in the international coalition to combat terrorism is primarily motivated by its own interests. The American doubts about Pakistani future efforts appear to be somewhat baseless.

One aspects of the war on terror is invariably either deliberately ignored or bypassed by almost all American analysts is the situation inside Afghanistan. There is no doubt that the performance of both NATO/ISAF inside Afghanistan has not been very impressive. Not only they need to improve their performance inside Afghanistan but should also opt for more cooperation with the Pakistanis. Instead of expressing their dissatisfaction with Pakistani efforts and even threatening to review aid, a more appropriate approach would be increased cooperation and recognition of emerging ground realities.

What the Americans need to comprehend is the fact that the new leadership which is likely to form the government soon is fully cognizant of the ground realities and is likely to embark upon a comprehensive approach to get rid of this menace. Instead of sending threatening signals they should be more forthcoming in extending the helping hand.

Not only the Americans need to wait and see the nature of coalition government that is likely to be formed soon but also refrain from dictating any policy dictum. The notion that gained popularity and was extensively used by the militants that Pakistan is fighting American war needs to be shed as quickly as possible. Any government that comes into power is likely to adhere to the dictates of its national interests.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.