US Strikes in Pakistan Tribal Areas Fuelling “Backlash” – Paper

Text of editorial headlined “Fighting the militants” published by Pakistani newspaper Dawn website on 4 October

Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the foreign minister of Pakistan, has been a largely anonymous figure in the weeks since the US stepped up attacks inside FATA [Federally Administered Tribal Areas] in September. However, Mr Qureshi hit all the right notes in a speech at Princeton University this week. “I’m afraid that a relatively recent element in this already difficult war threatens to undo what we have already achieved,” the foreign minister said in a reference to US strikes inside Pakistan. When American Special Operation forces landed in a village near Angoor Adda in South Waziristan in early September, observers pointed out the disastrous potential such attacks had to alienate Pakistani public opinion — and especially the tribes whose support Pakistan requires to defeat the militants in Fata and northern Pakistan. Since that attack, the Americans have stated their respect for Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty, and launched numerous missile strikes inside Fata. US Secretary of Defence Robert Gates has even claimed that the UN charter permits America to act in “self-defence” against militants operating from Pakistani soil, if the Pakistani government is unable or unwilling to do anything about those militants.

The problem is that the Bush administration is desperate for a quick success along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, whereas an effective anti-militancy strategy must necessarily be long-term. And an effective strategy can only be led by Pakistan itself, with some combination of tribal and state action. What Mr Qureshi was highlighting is that at present Pakistan is advancing against the militants, with clear help from local tribes. Lashkars [forces] have been organised by tribes in Bajaur, Peshawar, Khyber, Swat, Dir, Buner and Lakki Marwat, and they have had some success against the militants. Engaging the tribes in such a positive manner is a delicate affair for each tribe has its own dynamics and strategic position. Earlier this week Gen Kayani visited Bajaur Agency and met with tribal leaders; later, Salarzai tribesmen announced a full- fledged operation to clear their tehsil and neighbouring areas in Bajaur of militants.

Pakistan needs all the help it can get to facilitate such decisions by tribesmen. However, American strikes — thus far confined to Waziristan — only fuel a backlash and complicate efforts to harness the support of tribes. “We will fight against America until the last soul if they come to our country,” Malik Manasib Khan, a leader of a lashkar in Bajaur Agency, told reporters last week. The attack over Eid on Asfandyar Wali Khan, leader of the ANP which has turned to a more aggressive strategy against militants in Swat and other areas of the NWFP, was yet another reminder of the threat and reach of the militants. If the militants are to be defeated, the US must give Pakistan the time and space to face the challenge itself.

Originally published by Dawn website, Karachi, in English 04 Oct 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring South Asia. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.