"25 09 2008
US Targets Peacemakers While Pakistan Battles American-Taliban
By: Peter Chamberlin
Is it really necessary that we let Bush and Cheney destroy another innocent country before they pretend to leave the stage after Nov. 4? Does this Nation, which fancies itself as a great defender of freedom and democracy, intend to allow them do to our ally Pakistan what they have done to Iraq and Afghanistan? If we do not feel extreme shame for what is being done in our names there then perhaps it is true that we are something less than human, merely thinking cattle.
It sickens me to see the terror and slaughter being rained down upon the heads of our Brothers and Sisters, the Pakistani people. The hotel terror bombing is merely the latest and greatest act of violence, coming after Predator attacks, kidnappings and assassinations, all are just a portion of our gifts to the people of Pakistan. It is not a people-to-people kind of gift, but something that only a corrupt failing government would do. How can the American people restrain this runaway Leviathan? How do we get between this Beast and the Pakistani people?
In the Marriott terror-bombing, which immediately became known as “Pakistan’s 911” because of the unusual evidence which points to foreign sources, the people and government were given notice of their vulnerability to terrorism. In this suspicious bombing, as in all these Oklahoma City type bombings, the government almost immediately blames “al Qaida linked groups.” A new group, Fidaeen-e-Islam [translated as "Freedom Fighters of Islam" or "Guerillas of Islam"] also linked to A.Q., claimed responsibility.
This effectively ties this bombing, like the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, to the “official” US version of events. All attacks linked by association with al Qaida are immediately tied to their Pakistani patron, “public enemy number one,” Baitullah Mehsud.
Mehsud is the perpetual enemy denounced at every opportunity by US and Afghan officials, particularly when discussing reasons to invade Pakistan’s FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas). In reality, contrary to government charges, US forces never seem to target Baitullah Mehsud or his terrorist associates with their premier tool for targeted assassinations, the Predator terminator-drone.
Pakistan is now furiously engaging the US-linked terrorists of Baitullah Mehsud’s ally Maulana Fazlullah (“Radio Mullah”) in the Swat Valley region. The US is not participating in this fight to eliminate the enemies of the government and the people of Pakistan with its Predator terminator drones. The last known US incursion into the Swat battle zone was the disastrous attack upon the Gora Prai outpost on June 10, which killed 11 Pakistani troops. On that fateful day, the US drone was called-in to support troops that had allegedly been attacked by Mehsud’s forces. Other reports claim that the US forces tried to seize the Pakistani outpost, which is the high point overlooking the area and the main Kabul to Peshawar Highway, but were repelled. Were the militants using American air power to eliminate their Army opposition, or were the militants being used by the US as an excuse to set Pakistan up for the kill?
This fierce battle near the legendary Khyber Pass will determine the fate of US supply routes into Afghanistan. This is not the war or the location that the American side wants Pakistan to fight in. Until Pakistan turns its guns one-hundred fifty miles to the south, pointed at the heads of the local Taliban leaders who have been supporting Army peace efforts, signing treaties with the government, it won’t be in compliance with US demands.
The following information on the most recent Predator attacks confirms the US focus on pro-government Pashtuns:
“‘All the militants that the Pakistani Army is fighting in FATA – how come America never targets them’ with missile strikes? Ikram Sehgal, editor of Defence Journal, asks.
While the targets of the missiles fired from American drone aircraft are not confirmed, reports suggest that there is indeed a divergence between who America is targeting and who Pakistan would like them to target…
Similarly, the US appears to be targeting Taliban leadership long ignored by Pakistan – something it ‘never did before,’ says Ahmed Rashid, author of ‘Taliban.’”
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0924/p01s03-wosc.html
In a series of Predator attacks since early August, the targets have been the associates of pro-government “Taliban,” like Waziri leader Maulvi Nazir, or old jihadists Jalaluddin Haqqani and Gulbuddin Hekmatyar (who were formerly aligned with the US against the Soviets). The town of Wana in S. Waziristan is the epicenter of the recent Predator incursions into Pakistan, which have been targeting the local leaders who are friendly to the government. These are the guys who want peace, the ones who recently joined and raised a militia of 20,000 fighters, vowing to repel any invading forces, standing with the Army to defend Pakistan.
This is the problem – the US is waging war with the Pakistani government’s decision to negotiate peace. To that end, American Predators are terror-bombing the most reasonable locals, turning entire families towards the path of retribution. Local networks and agents of foreign intelligence services are attacking government forces and sowing terror among the civilian population, while attacking the Shiite minority trying to ignite a sectarian war.
This is the “tickling” referred to recently by CIA Director Michael Hayden, the means to prod the peaceful locals into taking-up arms and reacting violently. Every terrorist act and the way it is reported by the Western media is intended to provide the justification for a major escalation of military action.
Fifty-three people died when one of these dark players “tickled” the citizens of Islamabad by dumping an extremely powerful bomb into the Marriott hotel entrance.
It has been reported that Pakistan’s new government had intended to break Ramadan that evening with a feast at the hotel, but changed locations after receiving a warning. If the object of the attack was to decapitate the government, then this attack with an extremely powerful, extremely sophisticated bomb was an act of war that probably required state support from one or more foreign governments.
A series of editorials in Pakistani newspapers are laying the blame for the hotel bombing and sponsorship of TTP (Tereek e-Taliban Pakistan) the “local Taliban” on the CIA and the Afghan, Indian and Israeli intelligence agencies.
“General Kayani Must Not Blink and Pakistan’s Taliban Are CIA” Islamabad accuses US of backing terror against Pakistan
Indian RAW attacks Pakistan through proxy Mehsuds TTP
“In repect of Pakistan Political Analysts and Intellectuals”
Another Terrorist Attack in Pakistan by U.S and India
These revelations started surfacing when Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani confronted Washington about CIA sponsorship of the terrorist group, in response to US charges of ISI (Pakistani intelligence) complicity with the Taliban.
But the newspapers of Pakistan are slow to catch-up to the accumulated wisdom of local citizens, who are unfortunate enough to live in the “wild west” zone of conflict. I have been contacted by various concerned Pakistani readers of some of my previous articles about the reality of America’s terror war in that region.
These assorted witnesses who have come forth have witnessed the growth of the ongoing American psy-op there for several years, as the neocon war next door was pushed into Pakistan itself, through the introduction of “new Taliban” forces into the local fight. This group has always enjoyed the best weapons, communications gear, training, financing and satellite-accurate intelligence on Pakistani troop positions. The US command has repeatedly refused to target Mehsud when given exact coordinates, even allowing him to conduct an open press conference with Western media.
Their testimony follows with this note from “Haq,” the man who did a lot of legwork for me, connecting me with retired Lieut General Ayaz Ahmed:
“If I were in the Nobel Prize Committee, for your article, I would have given you 100% marks. You, by writing such a splendid article ‘Tickling’ has won the hearts of those Pakistanis who have read it and those who will read it. I know revered air force and army generals. As per your desire, I am relaying your article to the generals, friends and politicians.
You have made my day. If you were here I would have given you a dinner and loaded you with garments of rare flowers. We, Pakistanis, have very few friends in the American media. You stand out like the morning star. Please continue writing such splendid pieces and earn our gratitude.
Thank you again,
Regards,
Haq”
Lieut General Ayaz Ahmed.
“Firstly, let me clarify, the phrase Taliban has been coined by the
CIA, to give the Afghan freedom fighters a bad religious extremist bad
connotation. The fighters in Afghanistan are freedom fighters pure and simple.
They are fighting the invaders i.e. USA and their toadies. They are
mostly Afghans with a smacking of foreigners, mostly Muslims from all
over who had been encouraged and brought to Afghanistan by the
Americans when they wanted the Soviets out. Some of the foreigners
have stayed on because their own countries have disowned them. So
they too have joined the Afghans in fighting the invaders as they
have no other option. These operate purely in Afghanistan.
Occasionally, when too much pressure builds up on them, they slip
into the wild areas of FATA for temporary refuge.
Those, this side of the border in FATA and the settled
areas, are basically Indian and CIA trained and funded Indians as well
as Afghans and some misguided Pakistan nationals. They are basically
following the directions from RAW and CIA. Their task is to
destabilize the Law and Order situation in Pakistan, damage the economy
and thus bare Pakistan Government to US manipulations. Thereby the US
aim to convince the West that Pakistan govt is unstable and there is
risk of its nuclear assets falling into the hands of extremists, and
therefore must be removed by force for the ’safety of the world’.
Re Targets. Since most of the terrorists in FATA are American agents,
they are not targeted by the US forces. Only those elements in FATA
are targeted who are friendly to Pakistan and want the American
influence out. Even when Pakistan asks for satellite info re the
miscreants in FATA, so that we take them on, the Americans do not
provide the information. In fact in some cases they have been informing the
Terrorists in FATA of the Peccary convoys for ambushes.
So much for the ally of allies of US!
Yes the US is also hitting Beitullah Mahsuds opponents too, as he is their man.
I have been saying that the trouble in this region started after the
Americans came. It will go away only when the Americans are driven out.
Right now THE AMERICANS ARE THE PROBLEM.
I hope this answers your questions.”
Here are two more representing the Pakistani Army point of view:
“ To stress the point that the ISI is not subservient to CIA, let me quote one instance I know personally.
When one of the Director Generals was posted in, the sitting CIA boss in Islamabad came to visit him, and during the course of talks praised some of the officers of the ISI. When he left, the DG ISI immediately fired all those recommended by the CIA boss. After a few days, the CIA buffoon came again and named a few other officers as doing a good job. The moment he left, the DG fired those officers also. The fool of a CIA fellow did not even know the fate of the officers he had recommended the last time!
The man was recalled to America and replaced!
So much for CIA’s control on ISI.
.
ISI is the best professional SS organization in the world toady. The CIA is not only totally ill informed, it deliberately misleads its country, and is the cause of most botch ups in the history of SSs.”
Here is another from a 3 star general.
“ I fully agree with your assessment.
As for Peter’s view, no, the ISI was never taking orders from CIA. In fact that is one reason why the CIA is trying to do down ISI, and show it up as a rogue org. If there is any rogue org in the world today, it is CIA, which is above government orders. That is primarily because it generates its own funds through drugs and the mafia connections. At times it actively undermines the government’s writ in the US and abroad.”
“I am delighted Peter, to read such candid and true views, very difficult to believe that there are still brave people like you, to call spade a spade. I fully endorse the marks of my friend. Please organize support for the betterment of humanity we need to act now and act fast if we have to save the peace in the Global Village.
Best Regards
The very best wishes”
Syed
“My fear is that, with the U.S going for unilateral strikes, is an extremely unwise move, and whatever the purpose and aim, this action will backfire and badly.
It is true that the unknown factor in this situation will be the people. With bomb blasts having become a routine affair here, well that is going to take its toll.
What scares me really is the fact that the Mullah’s will eventually take over..and the Americans are helping though unwittingly, to speed up the process. The clerics’ interpretation of Islam is very different than what it really is..and being a woman living here, is a scary thought.
So whatever they think they can achieve here, will not be possible..unless of course they blow the whole country to kingdom come !
Keep up the good work. It’s not a matter of taking sides..but of speaking the truth.
Regards and best wishes,”
Huma
Here are a couple from a from a very reasonable sounding young radical lawyer:
“I’m a 29 year old lawyer from Pakistan. I’m deeply conservative ( Extremist, Alqaeda, Talibani, Terrorist to your government) yet vehemently anti-taliban and pro-peace. I may be anti-Israel, anti-India and definitely anti-US “POLICY” but definitely not against your country. Having visited your great country in my childhood, I can say that the ordinary “average joe” Americans are by nature courteous, loving, and above all, fair people. However, by reading your article on the CIA, I must say I’m scared to death of what these remorseless murderers are up to. Yesterday’s Marriott hotel blast bears all the hallmarks of a CIA-RAW terrorist operation. In my opinion, a case is slowly being made to capture Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. Our Nukes are exclusively anti-India and solely meant to protect our territorial integrity, however I do feel that nuclear weapons imperil security not guarantee it. I’m, for all intents and purposes, a supporter of a nuclear-free South-Asia but your Government’s legalized “nuclear proliferation” to India and Israel is promoting a new arms race in the region. This is a recipe for a monumental disaster which could end up over-seeing a genocide of 2 billion people just for the sake of wealthy psychopathic Neo-Cons’ lust for more power, money and of course, us unfortunate Muslim country’s natural resources. Sir, I ask you, can’t we, for the sake of love of God and humanity, peacefully co-exist, live and let others live? Can’t we? Why must we die for no fault of ours’- both you in the West and us in the Muslim world. Just for a moment, forget who we are and where we come from. Can’t we, while keeping our reservations about each other in a dignified and civilized way, learn to appreciate each other’s faith and way of live and live peacefully as HUMAN BEINGS? Is this too much to ask?
Self-accountability, tolerance is the way to go. Again, I must thank your article and calling Pakistan a friend.
Best regards,”
Ali.
“Thanks for the reply. When we talk about terrorism, it is not only perpetrated by your government but ours as well. Our so-called democratic leaders are actually uneducated feudal lords and corrupt military elite who terrorize innocent citizens for the sake of making a few dollars and I’m doubly ashamed of my government’s wrong doings as well. This whole war on terror bullshit is nothing but an excuse to making lots and lots of money at the cost of human dignity and life. We need to defeat it. War is not the solution. Only negotiation is. It has happened in Ireland, South Africa and in many other countries. We can also do it provided we have the will to do it. Once again many thanks for speaking the truth.
Best regards,”
Ali.
The point is this, the Pakistani people know the truth about American intentions for them, shouldn’t we as well? It is vital that we make the American people understand what is being done to innocent people who have been allied with the terror war. The “Taliban,” or those Pashtun defenders who have been labeled “enemies” of the United States, like the Afghans and Iraqis before them, are defending themselves from US invasions and terrorism.
Instead of supporting Bush as he launches another full-scale terror war into Pakistan on the pretense of “winning” in Afghanistan, we should be stopping all Bush’s aggression. The Bush neocon war plan is doing to America and to the world the same thing that his economic polices have done to the American and world economies.
If the US pulled-out of these countries and stopped trying to “tickle” them into submission then there would be peace. Since real peace is not something Bush and Cheney are after, then this is something that must come from the people themselves. Will anything aggravate America’s conscience enough to motivate the people to take this stand? Perhaps if the angry Americans who are protesting Bush’s economic failure would only join together with the angry protesters of the failed war then we would form an unstoppable force.
Will the people ever sue for peace?
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