Why CIA Is Engaged In Campaigns Against Pakistan’s ISI, Military?

--- On Tue, 2/17/09, PakNationalists wrote:

Ahmed Quraishi [Analyst of GEO TV earlier he was an analyst for Pakistan Television - PTV]

Why CIA Is Engaged In Motivated Campaigns Against Pakistan’s ISI, Military?

Published : February 17, 2009 Author : Makhdoom Babar Sultan

http://www.ahmedquraishi.com/

But this is the first time that the CIA is found directly involved in working against Pakistani interests. The U.S. spy organization is sponsoring the multibillion dollar Afghan drug trade, helped by the Indians.

http://www.ahmedquraishi.com/article_detail.php?id=608

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Muslims are advised to quit living in Fools Paradise because Muslim Societies e.g. Rafizi, Khariji, Nasibi, Wahabis, Sunnis and Shias should first attain unity and consensus on the Definition of Islam and Who is Muslim and then talk about Joint Resources and Borders for UMMAH itching for Islamic Khilafa. We need reforms horizontally and vertically and complete overhauling within our system for example Saudi Arabia should start treating all the Citizens as First Class Citizens and give them the option of Saudi Nationality, Buying Property and Marrying with Local People. I wonder if you have been to Saudi Arabia or any other Arab State of Diaper Heads because as soon as you arrive at their Immigrataion Counter you will know your status.... your real staus and all your pipe dreams of Ummah would crash like C 130 CRASHED ON 17 August 1988, till then this Ummah can ball itself off.

A glimpse of Muslim Ummah

One who criticizes the wrong steps and acts within the system, shouldn't be taken as an Enemy of the State and this very habit has become a hallmark of Empty and Shallow Pakistani Society and let me make it clear in even more explicit words that our Martial Law Regimes during the Cold War - 1958-1969, 1969-1971, 1977-1988, and after Cold War 1999-2008, discouraged any kind of critical thinking in Pakistan and results are before us. International Politics and Dynamics of Framing National Policies are not just Kiss and Makeup, when you follow and toe the American Policies for a long period and that too for their National Interests then consequences are ultimately to be faced which we are facing and it will take time to change the course of Pakistan's National Policies and Priorities

I would suggest that you should go and buy some books on Current Affairs and International Politics [relating with Pakistan] to have the basic knowledge of the Dynamics of International Politics. After the death of General Zia in 1988 his policies were carried out by

General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of the Army Staff of Pakistan Armed Forces.

General Hamid Gul, Former DG of ISI and MI

and

General Asad Durrani, Former DG of ISI and MI

and their tinkering with the system have been proved disastrous for Pakistan. If you want proof then check your archive on the subject of Hamid Gul, Aslam Beg and Asad Durrani.

Sir, you [as per your profile] have covered the Iraq-Kuwait War and you were associated with PTV for its segment World View and also associated with GEO's Crisis Cell. Therefore, you must know that nice people dont complain. We shouldn't complain and raise hue and cry!! These articles and columns should have appeared when USA was fighting Afghan Jihad from 1979 till 911.

This may also help in controlling the bouts [Ghashi - Spell] of Patriotism.

Since Pakistani Muslims often itch for Islam and Islamic Law for Governance therefore read the below given History of Pakistan in the light of Quranic Verse and then reach to any conclusion you want and then tell me do we even deserve to complain against the American Colonial Behaviour, and that after we violated a very simple Quranic Verse and this verse violated by General Zia [1977-1988] and his Spiritual God Father that Najis[Filth] Mawdudi and equally Najis [Filth] Jamat-e-Islami.

General Ziaul Haq [1977-1988]

General Ziaul Haq with his brother, the US President Ronald Reagan

Najis [Filth] Mawdudi [Spiritual God Father of General Ziaul and Founder of equally Najis (Filth) Jamat-e-Islami]

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ لاَ تَتَّخِذُواْ الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاء بَعْضٍ وَمَن يَتَوَلَّهُم مِّنكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk. [AL-MAEDA (THE TABLE, THE TABLE SPREAD) Chapter 5 - Verse 51]


"Quote"

General Muhammad Zia ul-Haq seized power in Pakistan in a 1977 coup and declared himself president. The US stopped all economic and military aid to Pakistan as a result of the coup and Zia ruled cautiously in an attempt to win international approval. But immediately after the Russian invasion of Afghanistan , the US allies with Zia and resumes aid. This allows Zia to use Islam to consolidate his power without worrying about the international reaction. He passes pro-Islamic legislation, introduces Islamic banking systems, and creates Islamic courts. Most importantly, he creates a new religious tax which is used to create tens of thousands of madrassas, or religious boarding schools. These schools will indoctrinate a large portion of future Islamic militants for decades to come. [Gannon, 2005, pp. 138-142]

Zia also promotes military officers on the basis of religious devotion. The Koran and other religious material becomes compulsory reading material in army training courses. “Radical Islamist ideology began to permeate the military and the influence of the most extreme groups crept into the army,” journalist Kathy Gannon will write in her book I is for Infidel. [Gannon, 2005, pp. 138-142] The BBC will later comment that Zia’s self-declared “Islamization” policies created a “culture of jihad” within Pakistan that continues until present day. [BBC, 8/5/2002]

CIA covert weapons shipments are sent by the Pakistani army and the ISI to rebel camps in the North West Frontier province near the Afghanistan border. The governor of the province is Lieutenant General Fazle Haq, who author Alfred McCoy calls Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq’s “closest confidant and the de facto overlord of the mujaheddin guerrillas.” Haq allows hundreds of heroin refineries to set up in his province. Beginning around 1982, Pakistani army trucks carrying CIA weapons from Karachi often pick up heroin in Haq’s province and return loaded with heroin. They are protected from police search by ISI papers. [McCoy, 2003, pp. 477]

By 1982, Haq is listed with Interpol as an international drug trafficker. But Haq also becomes known as a CIA asset. Despite his worsening reputation, visiting US politicians such as CIA Director William Casey and Vice President George H. W. Bush continue to meet with him when they visit Pakistan. Haq then moves his heroin money through the criminal Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI). A highly placed US official will later say that Haq “was our man… everybody knew that Haq was also running the drug trade” and that “BCCI was completely involved.” [Scott, 2007, pp. 73-75]

Both European and Pakistani police complain that investigations of heroin trafficking in the province are “aborted at the highest level.” [McCoy, 2003, pp. 477]

In 1989, shortly after Benazir Bhutto takes over as the new ruler of Pakistan, Pakistani police arrest Haq and charge him with murder. He is considered a multi-billionaire by this time. But Haq will be gunned down and killed in 1991, apparently before he is tried. [McCoy, 2003, pp. 483]

Even President Zia is implied in the drug trade. In 1985, a Norwegian government investigation will lead to the arrest of a Pakistani drug dealer who also is President Zia’s personal finance manager. When arrested, his briefcase contains Zia’s personal banking records. The manager will be sentenced to a long prison term. [McCoy, 2003, pp. 481-482]

US Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX) with Afghan Warlords during Afghan 'Jihad' in the Northern Area of Pakistan.

In November 1982, US Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX) travels to Islamabad, Pakistan, and meets with President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq. He promises Zia to deliver a crucial weapons system that has so far been denied by the US—the latest radar systems for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter planes. Wilson also meets with CIA Station Chief Howard Hart, who is in charge of providing support for the Afghan resistance to the Soviets. He urges Hart to expand the program and stresses that vast amounts of money can be made available. [Crile, 2003, pp. 106-129]

The next month, President Zia comes to the US to meet with President Reagan. Zia first meets with Wilson in Houston and expresses his gratitude for helping Pakistan acquire F-16 radar systems. Wilson then broaches the subject of Pakistan secretly purchasing arms from Israel for the Afghan War. Zia agrees to this in principle. [Crile, 2003, pp. 131-132]

Agha Hasan Abedi - Bawaz-e-Baland Naara-e-Salawath - Chief of Crooked Bank BCCI

According to Alfred W. McCoy, author of The Politics of Heroin, in 1983 Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq allows Pakistani drug traffickers to deposit their drug profits in the BCCI bank without getting punished. The criminal BCCI bank has close ties to the Pakistani government and the US funding of the Afghan war. It will be shut down in 1991. BCCI also plays a critical role in facilitating the movement of Pakistan’s heroin money. By 1989, Pakistan’s heroin trade will be valued at $4 billion a year, more than all of Pakistan’s legal exports. [McCoy, 2003, pp. 480]

US Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX)

Representative Charlie Wilson (D-TX) travels to Israel where he meets with Zvi Rafiah and other Israeli officials. From Israel he travels to Egypt and then Pakistan, where he secretly negotiates a major weapons deal with Pakistan (see November-December 1982) on behalf of the Israelis in support of the mujaheddin fighting Soviets in Afghanistan. Among other things, the deal includes the delivery of T-55 tanks. Author George Crile will later comment, “The Israelis were hoping this deal would serve as the beginning of a range of under-the-table understandings with Pakistan that the congressman would continue to quietly negotiate for them.” [Crile, 2003, pp. 141]

In 1984, Senator Paula Hawkins (R-FL) meets with Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq in Pakistan. During the meeting, she mentions that she is concerned about a Pakistani bank that is laundering money out of the Cayman Islands. Her staff later clarifies to Zia that she was referring to BCCI (which technically is not a Pakistani bank, but almost all of its top officials are Pakistani). As a result, Abdur Sakhia, the top BCCI official in the US, meets with Hawkins in the US a short time later and assures her that BCCI is not laundering money out of the Cayman Islands. Then officials from the Justice Department, State Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) meet with Hawkins’s staffers and assure them that BCCI is not the subject of any investigation. Weeks later, the State Department formally notifies the Pakistani government that BCCI is not under investigation. As a result, Hawkins drops her brief interest in BCCI. However, by this time the State Department, Justice Department, and DEA have all been briefed by the CIA about BCCI’s many criminal activities. Apparently, this information is deliberately kept from the senator. [Beaty and Gwynne, 1993, pp. 324-325]

NBC News later reports that CIA Director William Casey secretly meets with the head of the criminal Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) from 1984 until 1986, shortly before Casey’s death. The NBC report, quoting unnamed BCCI sources, will claim that Casey met with BCCI head Agha Hasan Abedi every few months in a luxury suite at the Madison Hotel in Washington. The two men allegedly discussed the Iran-Contra arms-for-hostages transactions and CIA weapons shipments to the mujaheddin in Afghanistan. The CIA denies all the allegations. [Associated Press, 2/21/1992]

But books by Time magazine and Wall Street Journal reporters will corroborate that Casey repeatedly met with Abedi. [Scott, 2007, pp. 116] Casey also meets with Asaf Ali, a BCCI-connected arms dealer, in Washington, DC, and in Pakistan. On one occasion, Casey has a meeting in Washington with Abedi, Ali, and Pakistani President Muhammad Zia ul-Haq. [Beaty and Gwynne, 1993, pp. 308]

Pakistan’s president Muhammad Zia ul-Haq is killed in an airplane crash. The plane went into a steep dive, then recovered regaining altitude. Then it dove a second time and crashed. [Yousaf and Adkin, 1992, pp. 91-92]

ISI Director Akhtar Abdur Rahman, US ambassador to Pakistan Arnold Raphel, and other Pakistani and US officials are also killed. A joint US-Pakistani investigation fails to definitively explain what caused the crash. [Coll, 2004, pp. 178-179]

According to Mohammad Yousaf, the ISI’s Afghan Bureau chief, the crash was due to sabotage. Yousaf does not know who was responsible, but later says that the US State Department was instrumental in the cover-up. Yousaf points out several reasons why the State Department might want to cover up the crime even if the US were not involved in the assassination itself. [Yousaf and Adkin, 1992, pp. 91-92]

Richard Clarke, a State Department analyst who later will become counterterrorism “tsar” for Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr., believes that Zia’s death and the destruction of a major weapons stockpile used by the CIA and ISI around the same time were both ordered by the Soviets as revenge for being defeated in Afgnanistan. Clarke says, “I could never find the evidence to prove that the Soviet KGB had ordered these two acts as payback for their bitter defeat, but in my bones I knew they had.” [Clarke, 2004, pp. 50]

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Read the column as to why we shouldn't complain and cry regarding USA's liberties within our territory.

Read the column as to why we shouldn't complain and cry regarding USA's liberties within our territory.

Tale of a love affair that never was: United States-Pakistan Defence Relations Columnist Hamid Hussain analyses an ON and OFF affair.

http://www.defencejournal.com/2002/june/loveaffair.htm

Introduction

A well instructed people alone can be permanently a free people - James Madison

No topic in Pakistan generates a heated and emotional debate than the US-Pakistan relations. Pakistani public in general has a love-hate relationship with the United States. Classic example is the general belief that US cannot be a honest broker in any dispute with India and each US move regarding this issue is seen with great apprehension and suspicion. At the same time, Pakistanis insist that Pakistan and India cannot solve the problem in bilateral talks and US as a superpower should arbitrate between the two. This is due to lack of understanding of how relationships between countries are dealt, whether friends or foes. Pakistan’s perception is that US should just accept Pakistan position on the issue and then put all its weight on India to get the desired results as wished by Pakistan. Overall, majority of Pakistanis, both common man and educated elites are of the view that a close relationship with US is not in Pakistan’s national interest.

At the same time, they do not deny the fact that being a superpower, it has a lot to offer both in terms of economic and military assistance to Pakistan. Pakistan’s policy makers are aware of this general trend of hostility toward US. This results in an awkward position for the policy makers. While in public they may go along with the general populace but in private or in their direct dealing with US policy makers they take a different stand. This is due to the fact that the decision making process is personal and not institutionalized. In addition, lack of legitimacy of the ruling government and autocratic decisions with no pressure from different segments of the society results in decisions taken by the policy makers, which are not approved, by a large segment of the society thus breeding more anger and resentment. The most damaging effect of such relations is perception by general public of their leaders in collusion with superpower against the national interest. Public opinion regarding relationship with US exerts limited amount of pressure on Pakistani policy makers not allowing them to go too far. At the same time, it limits the manoeuvrability of the policy makers as there is no strong public support of any commitments, which they may make during negotiations with US Pakistani policy makers over the last fifty years have cleverly put all the garbage of their ill-thought policies at the door step of US using terms like ‘let down’, ‘betrayal’ and ‘deceit’, thus absolving themselves of any guilt. They attempted to direct all public heat towards US and cover the tracks of their follies. This has also prevented any detailed analysis and accountability of these individuals. At individual level, it is the right of everyone to disagree with the policies of the government. At a higher level (political parties and organizations), the task needs to be more responsible and mature. Voicing their disagreement will be meaningful only when they come up with an alternative policy plan. This will need on their part a more organized and intelligent discussion and debate and a practical and viable alternative plan. Rabble-rousing speeches, rhetoric, hyperbole and xenophobic statements are not an alternative for a well thought short and long term defence policy and strategic relationships. This article will review US-Pakistan relations regarding defence matters over the last fifty years. This work will evaluate two eras, 1950s and 1980s when US-Pakistan relations in defence area were closest. After discussion of current relationship, it will elaborate on future prospects and possibilities.

Thought Process

Immediately after independence in 1947, Pakistan’s apprehension about the designs of a hostile large neighbour, India prompted it to try to develop friendly defence relations with large powers (US and later China). Very early in the game, politicians lost the control of defence related matters due to their lack of experience and constant squabbles. This allowed the British trained bureaucrats and military officers to take control of the affairs especially those related to defence. Defence and foreign policy are closely linked to each other, therefore, invariably a particular decision about defence has both foreign policy and domestic impact thus complicating the picture. A glimpse of thought process of the decision makers will help to understand why a particular decision was taken whenever they got the chance of acting on their thoughts. Governor General Ghulam Muhammad during his conversation with Vice President Nixon, pleading for military aid stated that, “... were the US not grant aid now, especially in view of all publicity, it would like taking a poor girl for a walk and then walking out on her, leaving her only with bad name”.1 Foreign Minister Zafrullah Khan was more candid when in 1954, during a meeting with Governor Stassen asking for more aid stated, “It was Pakistan’s belief that the “beggar’s bowl” should never be concealed”.2 Ayub Khan frustrated with slow pace of negotiations with US during his visit to Washington went to Henry Byroad’s office and told him, ‘I didn’t come here to look at barracks. Our army can be your army if you want us. But let’s make a decision’.3 The thinking pattern of key decision makers of Pakistan about security is quite revealing and shows total lack of indepth analysis and long term strategic vision. It also illustrates lack of understanding of the decision making process of the United States. One retired Lieutenant General is of the view that Ayub was shrewd, knew the US machinations but was trying to outsmart them to get maximum military aid.4 More close analysis of Ayub’s own writings and his policies of over a decade does not support this argument.

Now, we come to the second generation of officers who were in key decision-making positions during 80s. Former Director General (DG) of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General (Retd) Hameed Gul’s anti-American rhetoric in post-retirement phase makes headlines off and on in national news media. It is interesting that when he was DGISI, US ambassador attended the meetings of Afghan Cell of Benazir government. In fact the major decision of Jalalabad offensive in 1989 was made in one of those fateful meetings. To date there has been no evidence (no statement by any other participants of those meetings or by General Hameed Gul himself) that Mr. Gul made any objection to the presence of US ambassador in these meetings, which had wide ranging impact on national security. It is probable that Mr. Gul was at that time a top contender for the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) race, therefore he didn’t wanted to be on the wrong side of the civil government. When he was sacked, then he found the gospel truth that US was not sincere. Another example is of former Chief of Afghan Cell of ISI, Brigadier (Retd) Muhammad Yusuf. For five long years, he was a major participant in a joint CIA-ISI venture of unprecedented scale in Afghanistan. During this time period, he worked with several different level US officials and visited CIA headquarters in Langley. In his post-retirement memoirs, he tried his best to distance himself from the Americans. His statements like, ‘Relations between the CIA and ourselves were always strained’, ‘I resorted to trying to avoid contact with the local CIA staff’, ‘I never visited the US embassy’ and vehement denial of any direct contact between CIA and Mujahideen shows his uncomfortability of being seen as close with the Americans.5 Pakistan’s former foreign minister Agha Shahi in a conversation with Robert Wirsing said that in 1981 during negotiations with US, he gave a talk to a group of Pakistani generals on the objectives of Pakistan’s policy toward US. He stressed the importance of non-alignment and avoidance of over dependence on superpowers. Few days later one of the generals who attended Shahi’s briefing met him and told him that Americans should be given bases in return for the aid.6 The officer would not dare to make that statement public in view of the prevailing sentiments of the public. The hawkish generals of Zia reassured US about the full Pakistani support. John Reagan, the CIA station chief in Islamabad stated, “Their attitude was that Agha Shahi was doing his own thing, that we needn’t be concerned about it”.7 General Zia and DGISI Akhtar Abdur Rahman had very cordial relations with CIA director William Casey. To offset that uncomfortable closeness with Americans, Zia and Akhtar were portrayed as holy warriors of Islam and modern day Saladins. According to one close associate of Akhtar, ‘They (Casey and Akhtar) worked together in harmony, and in an atmosphere of mutual trust’.8 The most interesting remarks about the death of CIA Director, William Casey were made by Brigadier Yusuf. He states that, “It was a great blow to the Jehad when Casey died”.9 He did not elaborate whether by this definition one should count Casey as Shaheed (warrior who dies in battle in the cause of Islam). It will quite be amusing for Americans to know that one of their former CIA director is actually a martyr of Islam. In fifty-five years, we have come full circle, and in 2002, a retired Major General laments about the US and gives a long list of grievances. He states, “Discarding General Ziaul Haq when no more needed must never be forgotten. The treatment meted out to Pakistan after the victory in Afghanistan in late eighties cannot be forgiven ... It can be safely presumed that before mobilizing its armed forces on the borders of Pakistan, the US has (take it for sure) given a nod to India... Remember the visit of Mrs. Indira Gandhi to the USA and getting a silent approval from there before attacking East Pakistan in 1971. And the Pakistanis kept waiting for the seventh fleet to come to our rescue... They have already done a great damage to Pakistan by imposing an anti-Pakistan government in Afghanistan”.10 Very limited knowledge, paranoia, disregard of the facts, total lack of perception and extreme simplicity is quite evident from the statement and not a very good sign of the intellectual level of senior officers at highest decision making process.

This confusion in thought process and vacillation between a deep desire to be cozy with US to get state of the art military hardware and then frustration and anger at not getting the reciprocal attention from US results in a haphazard course. On the Pakistani side, it results in some short-term gains when the atmosphere is congenial but loss in long term as interests of two countries are different. On US part, it gives them a leverage when negotiating with Pakistani policy makers. The vulnerability of government, the necessity of keeping even routine dealings secret and away from public domain and dependence on Western goodwill for economic and security reasons gives US policy makers a huge clout which they use quite liberally. Pakistan-US defence relationships do not occur in a vacuum. It inevitably affects the domestic polity. Armed Forces are the strongest and most organized institution of the state. It should not then come as surprise when US decision makers try to develop direct relationship with defence establishment to secure its security interests. The foreign power will look for who is able to deliver the desired results. If civilians are seen as too weak to influence the military, ‘the external power will not jeopardize its objectives by supporting the civilian leader in a showdown’.11 In one commentator’s words, ‘ for US ‘it was easier to deal with a military regime which was a safer bet than a weaker civilian prime minister who remained half powerful and in semi-perpetual conflict with a military machine’.12

First Love

In the first few years of independence of Pakistan, US was aware of the importance of Pakistan in the region but did not have any concrete plans. The first US ambassador, Paul Alling who arrived in 1947 but spent only five months and died subsequently of an illness. It was not until 1950 when US sent the replacement of the first ambassador.13 On the part of Pakistan, despite repeated polite rebuffs of US, it continued the quest for military aid. In 1950-53, a flurry of Pakistani officials landed in US asking for assistance. Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan, C-in-C Ayub Khan, Foreign Minister Zafrullah Khan, Foreign Secretary Ikramullah, Finance Minister Ghulam Muhammad, Defence Secretary Sikander Mirza and special envoy Mir Laiq Ali made US visits with main theme of getting aid. Each one of them believing that he is the most capable one who could do the job of getting American assistance better than anybody else. There was neither an organized, coordinated and institutional effort nor any attempt to study US decision-making process to achieve the goal. Americans were smart enough to very quickly grasp the mediocre Pakistani leadership. They would use this to their maximum benefit in future negotiations. Events in Iran relating to Prime Minister Mussadiq in 1951 and successful detonation of Hydrogen Bomb by Soviet Union in 1953 resulted in National Security Council’s document ‘Basic National Security Policy’ which was approved by President Eisenhower.

Once US decided about Pakistan’s role in the defence of the region and containment of Communism, it was the armed forces of Pakistan and not the political leadership, which was seen as potential partners. Ayub Khan obsessed with modernization of the armed forces in shortest possible time saw the relationship with US the only way to achieve his organizational and personal objectives. In meeting with US officials during his April 1958 visit, Ayub stressed that armed forces are the strongest element. He was of the view that if elections were held in the prevailing circumstances, the left wing politicians will come to power which will not only destabilize Pakistan but will affect US strategic interests.14 Pakistan was seen by US in military terms which was quite natural as US national interest was related to security. In 1953, Pakistan was described as a country with many qualities, which were, “... a volunteer army of 3,000,000... it is not neutral but anti-communist... As a possible ally for US, Pakistan displays a tempting picture of power — potential and actual”.15 Pakistan army was seen as ‘a disciplined, well trained army whose morale and bravery are unquestionable’.16 Some events in Washington regarding Pakistan became comical. In 1953, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles while arguing for wheat aid to Pakistan told sub-committee on Agriculture and Forestry during hearings that, ‘the people of Pakistan had a splendid military tradition and that in Karachi he had been met by a guard of honour which was the ‘finest’ he had ever seen’.17 Apparently, he did not tell the agriculture department what on earth the wheat aid has to do with the military. After the signing of first mutual defence treaty in May 1954, large-scale interaction between US and Pakistani military started. Pakistan became one of the seven members (other members included Thailand, South Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines, Laos and Cambodia) of elite ‘Defence Support Countries” in South East Asia. A US Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) was established in Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi. A Military Assistance Programme (MAP) was started. Pakistan army was divided into MAP and Non-MAP units depending on their role. MAP units were oriented towards safeguarding US interests and non-MAP units along Indian border.

The objectives of US and Pakistan were different in this military alliance. For US the arrangement was to safeguard US interests in southwest Asia and Middle East and not against India. Pakistani military establishment saw the relationship as a short cut to modernization of its armed forces but failed to comprehend long-term strategic interest of Pakistan. One frequently hears the complaints of Pakistani officers from top to bottom about ‘betrayal’ and ‘abandoning’ by America. The fact that US was following her national interest while mediocre Pakistani military leadership were more in wishful thinking rather than planning for safeguarding their national interest. There was nothing secret about US policy. In several public statements and documents, US objectives have been clearly stated, if Pakistani generals could not see them, this was their own folly. The general principles of these security agreements were that United States will enter a security agreement when:

- There is a genuine threat to US interests.

- The mutual security pact will significantly contribute to preserve these interests.

- The final judgment of US troop commitment will be made by elected representatives.

- Allies will contribute their fair share in terms of personnel, weapons, resources and government support.18

As early as 1962, Colonel Jordan wrote about US position as far as Pakistan was concerned, “... because of their deployment, the Pakistani forces in Eastern Pakistan and Kashmir (Non-MAP supported) are the ones most likely to become entangled with the Indian Army should an incident arise. US responsibility for such non-MAP Pakistani forces is no greater than for Indian Army units, which have indirectly benefited by the massive US economic aid given to India”.19 While Colonel Jordan wrote with precision and clarity, Major General Fazal Muqeem Khan was baffled. Muqeem wrote, “It would be interesting to know why the United States did not take over the responsibility of supporting the entire standing army at the time of the agreement. Those parts of the army, which are now in Kashmir and East Pakistan, and some other units, do not have military assistance. Similarly, no training establishments or static installations are supported”.20 These few words speak a volume about the intellectual level of senior leadership.

In July 1959, Pakistan agreed for establishment of US base near Peshawar to be operated by US officials. General Khalid M. Arif while commenting on U-2 incident (U-2 was a US spy plane operating from Badaber base near Peshawar. It was shot down by Soviet SA-2 missile and its pilot Gary Powers was captured. The incident severely compromised Pakistan security and brought the Soviet ire on Pakistan. Soviets paid back Pakistan within a decade during East Pakistan crisis) states that, ‘Pakistan felt deceived because the US had kept her in the dark about such clandestine spy operations launched from Pakistan’s territory’.21 Statements like these from such highly placed officers don’t speak well for Pakistan. As early as 1959, when Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as acting foreign minister wished to visit the facility, the American base commander replied that, ‘the minister would be welcome to visit the cafeteria where he would be served coffee and sandwiches’.22 An American air force base located in the border area of Pakistan near Soviet territory where spy planes were parked, run by Americans where even the highest Pakistani officials could not enter was not suppose to bake cookies or train pilots for aerial aerobatics. Ayub Khan was fully aware of the operations. He was in London at the time of U-2 incident. When the CIA station chief gave Ayub the news, he shrugged his shoulders and said that he had expected this would happen at some point.23 In 50s there was increasing number of Pakistani officers who got training in United States. The military doctrine shifted from British to American. Fazal Muqeem points to the change of thought process of officer corps. “Such healthy and friendly contacts were bound to have a decisive influence on the ideas of the officer corps. They soon made their impact on the thinking of Pakistani commanders and staff. In the re-organization of the army, American ideas influenced the planners in a number of ways”.24 The influence was not limited to the knowledge of new weaponry and defence strategy and tactics. According to Colonel Jordan, the purpose of training of officers in US was not only to train them in particular fields but also to groom them for non-military activities (leadership, management and economics). In addition, MAAG officers were in agreement that the off-shore trained officer is more receptive to continued military advice and suggestions than his colleagues”.25 It is interesting to note that officers from different countries (Asia, Africa, Latin and South America) trained in US quite confident of their newly acquired skills took power in their own countries.

In the early phase after independence, US military assistance undoubtly increased Pakistan’s defence capability vis-a-vis India in short term. On the other hand, it strengthened the hands of non-representative segments of government (military and bureaucracy) compared to representative segment (politicians). Armed forces by opening a direct channel to a superpower effectively bypassed the budgetary nuisances, the single most important factor for effective civilian control of armed forces. The non-representative group thus energized by the material and moral support of US very easily strangulated the nascent democratic process. On domestic front, concentration of all armed forces in West Pakistan caused apprehension in East Pakistan. The reason was two fold. One, Eastern wing being encircled by India on three sides was more vulnerable to Indian attack but had nominal troops. Second, the economic benefits of military aid (job opportunities, civilian contracts and beneficial effects on local economy) were concentrated in Western wing. The defence policy makers failed to adjust from a colonial mould into that of an independent nation. The simple fact that no group in a multi-ethnic society like Pakistan want to see itself as dispensable or less important and not worth defending. The absurd defence concept of defence of Eastern wing from Western wing which was inherited from the colonial rule, convinced Bengalis that they were dispensable. The democratic tendency and anti-American sentiment was stronger in East Pakistan. When the mutual defence treaty was announced in February 1954, there was a great outcry in eastern wing. Many demonstrations were held and 162 newly elected members of East Bengal Provincial assembly signed a statement, which denounced Pakistani government for signing a military pact with United States.26

The first twenty-year period after independence was crucial in terms of international relations. One factor which most Pakistani historians have ignored is that in the period of 1951-53 there was high level meetings between Pakistani and Indian counterparts at different levels including Prime Ministers about Kashmir issue. India had accepted Kashmir as a central issue between two countries. The two Prime Ministers had met in August 1953. India had agreed in principle about the plebiscite and it was decided that a Plebiscite Administrator would be appointed by the end of April 1954. Pakistan’s joining of American sponsored pacts gave Nehru the golden chance to renege completely on all assurances. With the benefit of hand sight one can only guess that probably at least by delaying the announcement of mutual treaty with US would have provided the opportunity to test Indian sincerity.27 Pakistan’s alliance with US naturally brought the anger of Soviet Union. Soviet Union’s early neutral stand on Kashmir quickly changed to a pro-India stance. On international scene, Pakistan was effectively kept out of the non-aligned movement. Several newly independent countries in Asia and Africa were either neutral or actively hostile to Pakistan. In 50s, there was a favourable opinion of Pakistan in US government executive and legislative branches and media. When the relationship with US took a downward turn during Kennedy and Johnson administration, Pakistan was totally lost as how to respond to changing scenario. It maintained membership in all security pacts thus still taking the heat from antagonists of US. At the same time it stopped taking part in military exercises or in Intelligence Assessment Committee studies thus not getting any tangible military benefit. It continued to attend the meetings but its delegates neither participated in discussions nor took part in the drafting of communiques.28

Rekindling of the Affair

In December 1979, when Soviet troops rolled in Afghanistan, President Carter unveiled his doctrine. The salient features of his doctrine included assembly of a Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), increased naval presence on Indian Ocean, a collective security framework in the region and a commitment to the defence of Pakistan by transfer of significant amount of weapons and dollars.29 Pakistan was under the military rule of General Zia. Zia shrewdly played his cards knowing that Carter was on his way out and he may get a better deal from the incoming Reagan, which proved right. Military again making all vital decisions of national security did not have the strategic vision. Zia in an interview taunted the Americans stating that, “When you lost in Vietnam, you went home and cried. When the Soviets got kicked out of Egypt, they decided to go after Libya... Is America still the leader of the free world? In what respect? I hope it will soon restore its countervailing role, abandoned after Vietnam”.30 Rhetoric was the same as his predecessor martial ruler Ayub had used about two decades ago. Ayub had said in 1960, “... The English-speaking world ought to feel a special responsibility to assist Pakistan in attaining a reasonable posture of advancement. It is not just a claim. It is in fact the dictate of history”.31 Both military rulers with their peculiar vulnerability were trying to get a short term benefit of military assistance totally oblivious to the long-term consequences. The obsession of getting at least one state of the art piece of military equipment for psychological boost and to use as a symbol of US commitment in Pakistan to India took precedence over more complex and tricky issues. If F-16 fighter jets were asked in 80s as a price of Pakistani cooperation, in 1959, supersonic F-104 fighters were considered down payment for Badaber air force facility. In 1985 Pakistan gave its shopping list of military equipment. “Pakistan’s priority must be to develop the necessary infrastructure in Balochistan and N.W.F.P... together with raising an additional eight to ten divisions and the replacement of its obsolescent aircraft and tanks”.32 One is reminded of the earlier shopping lists of Ayub Khan in 50s. In the beginning, Zia tried to get some legally binding agreement from US regarding Pakistani security but quickly abandoned the idea and settled for military aid only. US ambassador Arthur Hummel knowing the level of Pakistani leadership had firmly stood his ground. He later recalled, “while they pushed the idea of a commitment on India and NATO type treaty, they knew very well they wouldn’t get anything like that. They were genuinely concerned about provoking the Russians”.33 Zia’s Foreign Minister Agha Shahi was aware of the limitations of US-Pakistan understanding but some of Zia’s hawkish generals had different views. They were not averse to the idea of providing bases to US. They were probably thinking that such direct commitment may prevent sudden abandonment of Pakistan at the time of serious crisis of national security. They had not learned from the experience of Badaber. In addition, they have not come to grips with the changed international defence scenario. The advanced satellite technology had made the aerial surveillance obsolete. Later as Vietnam and Somalia experience has shown that the decision of engagement and disengagement of US troops in any conflict area will be based on US national interest and not the interest of the client state.

The biggest advantage, which Pakistan got during the relationship with US during the 80s, was effective and fast track acquisition of nuclear technology. The Reagan’s strong anti-Soviet policy overrode the concerns of non-proliferation lobby. In fact, US administration worked as a spokesperson for Pakistan as far as nuclear issue was concerned. They argued that by augmenting Pakistan’s conventional forces strength, Pakistan may be dissuaded to give up nuclear option. Many efforts of non-proliferation groups in Washington were effectively thwarted by Reagan administration. They were also privately advising Zia government on how to keep low profile about tricky nuclear issue. On November 2, 1984, State Department’s nuclear specialist, Ambassador Richard Kennedy at a press briefing in Washington, D.C. said that, “fears about Pakistan’s nuclear programme are grossly exaggerated and Pakistan was still a long way from nuclear weapons capability”. Kennedy expressed his full faith in Zia by stating that, “we accept President Zia-ul-Haq’s categorical statement that Pakistan’s nuclear programme is devoted entirely to power generation”.34

Foreign and defence relations have impact on domestic issues. Zia’s decision to hold elections in 1985 was not based only on domestic concerns. Upto 1983, Reagan administration have effectively kept the liberal, pro-democracy lobby away from Pakistan. Democrats started to assert themselves. In 1983, a bipartisan vote in Congress created National Endowment for Democracy (NED), which was aimed at improving the human rights record and democratic record of countries receiving US aid. Potential complications in the absence of a some kind of democratic process in Pakistan were conveyed. In 1984, Dean Hinton was appointed ambassador to Islamabad. He had pushed for and played a key part in the holding of elections in El Salvador during his ambassadorial stint there.35 The non-party elections of 1985 were influenced by the international environment as much as the unrest of 1983 especially in rural Sindh. In 80s, when the ruling group was basking in the glory of unlimited gifts from around the world and flurry of foreign visitors (including military personnel, spies, arms dealers, journalists, academics, diplomats, aid workers), the myopic leadership never thought of a day when they will be running mad from one corner to another to try to avoid being declared as ‘rogue’ and ‘terrorist’ country. They failed to recognize the limitations of relationship between two unequal partners. They conveniently forgot that Kashmir and India were problems of Pakistan not of US and there will be very limited if any support by US on this issue.

Here I Come Again Dear

September 11 attacks in America changed General Musharraf’s government from an international pariah to a staunch ally overnight, deja vu of General Zia in 1979. The nature of crisis was quite different. It was crystal clear that US being directly hit is going to retaliate with massive force. The initial very angry but sometimes irresponsible statements by President Bush and his cabinet members genuinely created fear among the leaders of many smaller countries who may come in the line of fire. The nature and legitimacy crisis of Musharraf government meant that he alone will be making one of the most difficult decision of Pakistan history. It is quite natural that there will be two opinions about the decision, one in favour and one against. The debate between doves and hawks is as old as human civilization. That discussion is now mainly academic. The most important thing now is the future discourse. It will be a dangerous folly by the government to keep pursuing a policy, which started around the events of September 11. Now that the initial US revenge heat is passed, there may be more room for manoeuvrability for Pakistan. There is no denying the plain fact that it is not only the extremist religious minority, which is against continued cooperation with US. There is a general consensus of population that close cooperation with US is not in the best national interest of Pakistan. A fair distance has to be maintained and in private, decision makers at all levels should convey the point to US. Surely, US will exert pressure of various sorts to get maximum cooperation from Pakistan. There are some signs that US may be listening. Few months ago, statements from various military commanders were for hot pursuit of fleeing Taliban in Pakistan but now things seem quite on that point. Informed debate and public awareness about the potential difficulties of the policy should be encouraged. Public in general also have to grasp the fundamental fact that they cannot have everything and that there are limitations for Pakistan. Links with US, crisis in Afghanistan, increasing heat in Kashmir, stand off with India on borders and economic and internal stability are issues of grave concern for Pakistan’s overall security and cannot be tackled by rhetoric and ideological rattles.

The first attempt, should be to limit direct US armed forces personnel role on Pakistani soil. This is the single most important and most explosive factor, which can have wide ranging effect on internal situation of Pakistan. Recent events of faulty US intelligence in Waziristan agency should be taken seriously. At this point there is clearly a divergence of US and Pakistan’s priorities. US may be obsessed with the remnants of Taliban but that is not Pakistan’s major problem. The issue of fleeing Al-Qaeda suspects should also be seen in perspective. Such operations are not done with pomp and show. Effective human intelligence and small-scale surprise search operations with the help of locals is key. Use of local tribal and Pakistani paramilitary forces with minimum display and use of force should be the foundation of this policy. Lt. General Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai’s meetings with tribal elders from Waziristan is a move in right direction.

If colonial masters like Herbert Edwards, Abbott and John Nicholson could achieve their objectives one hundred and fifty years ago, Pakistani military and bureaucratic officers should perform at least the same if not better (Corps Commander of Peshawar is Lt. General Muhammad Jan Orakzai, member of a tribe which resides in border area). In tribal areas, traditionally, local clan politics and money had played a much larger role than any lofty ideology. Everybody supports action against violent militant sectarian organizations but brushing everybody who sports beard or offers prayer regularly with the label of extremist will be counterproductive. People who differ with government policies have their right to express their opinion as long as it is not violent. This should be seen as a cushion against more extremist and violent backlash. Hot pursue of extremist Islamist elements has its cost to Pakistani society. Recent suicide attack in Karachi is an example of that. Response to such tactics has to be very careful and calculated looking at the long term fall out for Pakistan and not on the advice of US. The knee jerk response of trying to get more foreign help to curb such activities may have exactly the opposite effect. It was pathetic to see that in the immediate aftermath of Karachi bombing several key government officials cried for foreign assistance. Sharing of information and intelligence gathering is one thing but having Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agents roaming in Pakistani cities with local law enforcement agencies can have devastating effect on Pakistan in the long run, further polarizing and militarizing the society. Similarly, the routine rounding up of people belonging to different religious parties after each act of sabotage and few months later releasing them will not solve the problem. Improvement in human intelligence methods and patient work to narrow down to the suspicious small ring can help more to curb such outrages with minimal fallout. It will be very important for Pakistani policy makers to study Algerian and Egyptian dilemma. The vicious cycle of sabotage by extra-state pressure groups and state reprisals should at best be avoided. One should never forget that when the American bull leaves the china shop of the area, it is Pakistan who has to deal with all the broken glass. The lessons of policies of the last two decades in Afghanistan and Kashmir should not be forgotten so quickly.

Nuclear capability of Pakistan is an area where Pakistani and US interests are different, in fact opposite. For Pakistan, nuclear capability is the life insurance for its security. For United States, it is exactly opposite. From US standpoint, Pakistan is a very unstable and vulnerable state with strong Islamist tendency. Presence of nuclear weapons in such a state is threat to US. national interest. In case of disintegration of central authority or coup by a rightist group, the weapons may pass into hands, which may not be friendly to US With this thought process at the high US policy making bodies and think tanks, it will not be surprising to find that US has a contingency plan for such a situation, that is to neutralize Pakistan’s nuclear capability. This is a game of very high stakes and requires a very high degree of preparedness, a recognized chain of command and extremely innovative policy making on part of Pakistan. The acquisition of nuclear technology by Pakistan despite arm-twisting efforts by international community especially US also disproves the myth that smaller countries are totally dependent on the goodwill of a superpower to achieve its defence and security goals. A determined leadership (whether civilian or military) and a strong public pressure about the issue not allowing any compromise can achieve results which otherwise seem impossible. Innovative ideas and constant update with involvement of different segments of society is must as ground reality has dramatically changed and old formulas may not be applicable to rapidly changing security scenario. Now US war machine is right there in Pakistan’s backyard. Presence of US troops and military hardware in Afghanistan and acquisition of new bases in Central Asian Republics has changed the landscape dramatically. In addition, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have opened their doors to various ethnic and linguistic groups. Many Afghan-Americans and Pakistani-Americans are being recruited for human intelligence. Urdu, Persian and Pushtu speaking Americans from different communities are being hired to streamline the intelligence gathering.

Another important area of difference between two countries is Kashmir issue. US is for status quo as far as Kashmir is concerned. Any attempt either by India or Pakistan to change the situation through force will be resisted by US. The events of last 10 years have proven that point. Intense diplomatic pressure on Pakistan when it surprised Indians at Kargil and pressurizing India to sack one of the Corps Commanders who moved troops too dangerously and current back channel moves to force India to cool off are all measures towards a status quo situation at least in short term. When Pakistan decided to support guerrillas in Kashmir, they did not learn from the mistakes of Afghanistan. Guerrilla warfare is one aspect of the struggle and the ultimate victory is political not military. Euphoric about the experience of Afghanistan and heavy religious tones of the freedom movement of Kashmir prevented Pakistani policy makers to seriously study other more successful guerrilla movements of the past. The classic example is Vietnam. After a sanguine war with the US and paying a devastating price of utter destruction by superior weaponry of US did not result in the mess which Afghanistan found itself after the departure of Soviets. The fundamental difference was that the ultimate leadership of Vietnamese struggle was political. Military operations were a crucial part but not the only instrument. In addition, the military operations were more in an organized form and not by independent mutually hostile militant groups. In Kashmir, just like in Afghanistan, a free for all training to a plethora of groups whose motives, intentions, aims and objectives were divergent with no hold bar approach resulted in much fragmentation of the struggle. In addition, apart from tying down a large segment of Indian security forces by a prolonged guerrilla operation, Pakistan didn’t have the phased plan of what to do next. No attention was paid to the already existing and newly emerging fault lines, which resulted in an effort, which was haphazard. Long drawn planning, looking at the military, international, diplomatic and economic aspect was not done. The most damaging effect of this lack of a strategic planning was repeated international embarrassment for Pakistan. As a general rule, military mind is averse to diplomatic manoeuvres to achieve goals. Ill thought policies and behaviour of key decision makers severely compromised Pakistani stand. Few examples will prove this point. During Geneva negotiations according to the accords, all parties have to terminate assistance to their clients in Afghanistan. When US Defence Secretary Frank Carlucci asked Zia how he was going to tackle the issue, Zia replied, “I’ll lie to them like I have been lying to them for the past ten years”.36 Publicly, Pakistan has been denying any support to the Kashmiri guerrillas but in local and international press one sees all the evidence. The militant groups in their publications were giving all the details of the operations by Pakistani and other foreign fighters. Even high-ranking intelligence officials regularly visited the training camps. Similarly during the height of Kargil crisis, Pakistan was denying that none of its troops were involved in fighting while at the same time was awarding gallantry awards in dozens to the soldiers. If one cannot adequately camouflage the covert actions, then it is essential to come up with a better public posture option. Such policies only diminish the stature of the country, the result of which is that the enemy will not believe when even a genuine offer of reconciliation is made. More important than that is the fact that even the friendly countries will keep a distance and will not endorse such embarrassing postures. When international environment changes, just like the present scene, it becomes very difficult to pursue these policies without the risk of being totally isolated. Since September 11, US is seeing Kashmir in a totally different light. Pakistani and US interests are totally divergent on this issue now. For Pakistan, Kashmir is the core issue to be resolved between India and Pakistan. US acknowledges that Kashmir is a source of potential conflict between two nuclear neighbours and needs to be addressed but the guerrilla groups with strong links to Islamist groups and presence of foreigners in their ranks are seen as a source of potential trouble in the area. As both India and Pakistan are stubborn on their point of view with no signs of flexibility, US will make sure that the guerrilla question be addressed first. Pakistan probably is and very soon will come under more pressure to break the link with guerrilla groups and decrease the tactical support of military operations of the groups in Indian held Kashmir. Pakistani policy makers have to think through about what to do next which can have both short and long-term consequences.

Conclusion

The fifty-year track record of US not only in case of Pakistan but also in most parts of the world has been that of an unreliable partner. Due to inherent limitations of the decision making process in US, in view of involvement of various agencies and individuals, at times there is frustration among its allies, especially those who are not familiar with that process. On US part, embracing the pariahs when in need and unceremoniously dumping them at first chance does not speak well of long term US policy. Two examples will suffice to show that sometimes insulting and ill thought of decisions by mid-level staff damages US credibility more than high profile decisions. U.S had leased six old frigates to Pakistan Navy. When Pakistan fell of favor in 90s, although the US Navy intended to scrap the ships but US insisted on returning the obsolete vessels. To add insult to injury, US demanded that Pakistan should pay for their transit to Singapore, where the ships were broken for scrap.37 In May 2002, at the height of a multi-billion dollar anti-terrorism adventure, US announced that it will give Pakistan a loan of $10 million dollars to buy soybean. On the US part being dependent on a highly centralized military regime for continuation of its security agenda means that they have to be update on what is happening inside the ruling group. In early 80s, prior to Soviet departure from Afghanistan, as US interest required that Zia remain in power therefore, CIA needed to know exactly what was going on in his government.39 CIA’s office of Technical Services provided specialists which helped organize Zia’s personal security.40 Similarly, one can expect that in the current US operations in the region, US is solely dependent on Musharrf government goodwill and cooperation irrespective of the Pakistani public opinion. It is now a US interest to keep itself informed about the working of ruling group to avoid surprises. To counteract this, it is quite natural that Pakistani government will increase internal surveillance of not only the opposition but also of allies and colleagues. This inevitably complicates the internal situation, putting strain on the internal cohesion of the structure of senior officers.

A small country with limited room for international manoeuvrability should be very careful in relationship with a super power. The difficult job of a reasonable equilibrium is essential. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto few decades ago had pointed to dangers of two extremes. Complete identification with the interest of one great power to the exclusion of others will generate controversy and confrontation. On the other hand, ‘it is the quintessence of folly to pursue a policy of provocation’. He suggested that, ‘When differences develop, a small country should not take on a great power head-on, it is wiser for it to duck, detour, side-step and try to enter from the back-door’.38 The idea of ducking may not go well with saber rattling demagogues but surely there is a lot of room between complete capitulation and suicide. Pakistani policy makers over the last fifty years have forgotten a basic fact of the unequal relationship between a superpower and a small underdeveloped country that such relationship is subject to a summary veto by the stronger power. Both US and Pakistan got into agreements which neither party had the capacity nor a desire to fulfil. Pakistan worked hard to get state of the art military hardware. While pursuing this approach, it was not comprehended that this also meant that there will be no co-manufacture or even repair of the equipment in Pakistan. The country will be heavily dependent for maintenance and repair and acquisition of spare parts of the hardware on the donor country. In the first two decades, Pakistan’s heavy dependence on military hardware from a single country severely effected the defence capability when it fell from favour of US On psychological front, the provision of military assistance resulted in unrealistic expectations in the minds of defence policy decision makers. All short and long term planning was based on the expectations of more aid tomorrow.

One commentator had predicted as early as 1982 that, ‘neocolonial relationships with superpowers do not pay. But military rulers with their narrow interests cannot be expected to learn lessons which bear wider on national welfare’.41 Another commentator has rightly summed up the dilemma of Pakistan in these words, ‘It is an irony of history that whole nations take part in futile long drawn strategic exercises aimed at achieving security while in the end they are only rewarded with greater insecurity’.42 No country lives in a vacuum. Relationships with countries big and small have to be maintained. One also recognizes that specific defence related matters are sometimes discussed away from public arena but this doesn’t preclude a general discussion about the issues. Two things are critical, one a general discussion and some consensus about the aims and objectives of relationship with the superpower and second a long term, wide ranging decision making process including both defence specialists and civilians to achieve a realistic and achievable defence policy.

Knowing the other and knowing oneself,

If one hundred battles, no danger.

Not knowing the other and knowing oneself,

One victory for one loss.

Not knowing the other and not knowing oneself,

In every battle certain defeat. Sun Tzu

Notes

1 Memorandum of conversation of Ghulam Muhammad, Vice President of the United States and Ambassador on December 7, 1953 in Karachi. Foreign Relations of the United States. 1952-1954. (Afterwards referred as FRUS) Volume XI. Department of State Publication No. 9281 (Washington: US Government Printing Office, 1983), p. 1832

2 Memorandum of conversation June 22, 1954 in Washington. FRUS No 9281, Volume XI, p. 1849

3 Interview with Henry Byroad cited in Kux, Dennis. Disenchanted Allies, p. 57

4 Author’s interview with a retired Lieutenant General. February 2002

5 Yousaf, Muhammad and Atkins, Mark. Bear Trap, p. 91

6 Wirsing, G. Robert. Pakistan’s Security Under Zia, 1977-1988: The Policy Imperatives of a Peripheral Asian State (London: Mcmillan, 1991), p. 135

7 Cordovez, Diego and Harrison, S. Selig. Out of Afghanistan (New York: Oxford University Press, 1995), p. 67

8 Yousaf, Mohammad. Silent Soldier: The Man Behind The Afghan Jehad, (Lahore: Jang Publishers, 1993, Tenth Edition), p.80

9 Yousaf, Muhammad. Silent Soldier, p. 81

10 Ahmad, Shafiq, Major General (r). Beware Pakistan. The Nation (Internet Edition), February 08, 2002

11 Venkataraman, M. S. The American Role in Pakistan, p. 273

12 Amin, A. H. Reducing Pakistan To Size. The Nation (Online Edition), May 24, 2002

13 Choudhury, G. W. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Major Powers: Politics of a Divided Subcontinent (New York: The Free Press, 1975), p. 78

14 Gauhar, Altaf. Ayub Khan: Pakistan’s First Military Ruler (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 1996), p. 41

15 US News &World Report. November 13, 1953

16 Jordan, A. Amos. Foreign Aid and Security of South East Asia (New York: Frederick A. Pareger Inc., 1962), p. 28-29

17 Rahman, Ataur. Pakistan and America: Dependency Relations (New Delhi: Young Asia Publications, 1982), p. 19

18 Lovell, P. John and Cyr, Arthur. America’s Security Commitments: Coming to terms with Entanglement in To Sheath The Sword, p. 203

19 Jordan A. Amos. Foreign Aid and Defence of South East Asia, p. 45

20 Khan, Fazal Muqeem. Major General. The Story of Pakistan Army (Lahore: Oxford University Press, 1964 Second Edition), p. 156

21 Arif, M. Khalid. General (r). Khaki Shadows (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2001),p. 395

22 Khan, Roedad (Then Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar). Bhutto to Badaber. The Nation (Internet Edition), October 14, 2001

23 Interview of the senior CIA official who dealt with the U-2 incident cited in Kux, Dennis. Disenchanted Allies, p. 113

24 Khan, Fazal Muqeem. The Story of Pakistan Army, p. 159

25 Jordan, A. Amos. Foreign Aid and Defence of South East Asia, p. 58-59

26 Pakistan Times, April 22, 1954

27 Cheema, Pervaiz Iqbal. Pakistan’s Defence Policy, 1947-58 (London: Macmillan Press, 1990), p. 157

28 Chaoudhry G. W. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Major Powers, p. 138

29 The New York Times, January 25, 1980

30 Newsweek, January 14, 1980, p. 32

31 Foreign Affairs, Vol. 38, No: 4, July 1960 p. 555-56

32 Hussain A. Noor. Pakistan-US Security Relations: Arms sales, Bases and Nuclear Issues in Rose E. Leo and Hussain A. Noor (Editors) United States-Pakistan Relations (Berkely, California: University of California Institute of East Asian Studies. Research Papers and Policy Studies, 1985), p. 13

33 Cordovez and Harrison. Out of Afghanistan, p. 57

34 Hussain A. Noor. Pakistan-US Security Relations, p. 12

35 Saeed, Shafqat. Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan (Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press, 1997), p. 212

36 Kux, Dennis. Disenchanted Allies, p. 289

37 Kux, Dennis. The United States and Pakistan 1947-2000: Disenchanted Allies (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2002 Second Impression), p. 323

38 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s Papers, 1966 cited in Akhund, Iqbal. Memoirs of a Bystander: A Life in Diplomacy (Karachi: Oxford University Press, 2000 Second Impression), p. 297

39 Woodward, Bob. VEIL: The Secret Wars of CIA (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987), p. 311

40 Cordovez and Harrison. Out of Afghanistan, p. 104

41 Gardezi N. Hassan. The Resurgence of Islam: Islamic Ideology and Encounters with Imperialism in Gardezi N. Hassan and Rashid, Jamil (Ed) Pakistan: The Roots of Dictatorship — The Political Economy of a Praetorian State (London: Zed, 1983), p. 363

42 Amin, A. H. Reducing Pakistan To Size. The Nation (Online Edition), May 24, 2002