Afghan Observers Pessimistic About Pakistan Spy Agency Reshuffles

Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV, on 3 October

[Presenter] A military report by Spanish intelligence has accused Pakistan’s military intelligence of supporting terrorists. The report released by Cadena Ser radio of Spain says the ISI [Pakistan's inter-services-intelligence] is helping terrorists in finding access to explosives and sends them to Afghanistan to kill government leaders and personalities.

Tamim Hamid with a report about this issue.

[Correspondent] The release of the fresh report on ISI’s aiding of terrorists comes at a time when broad changes were recently made in the Pakistan army. The replacement of Pakistan’s military intelligence chief is seen as the main part of the reshuffling. Despite that, a number of analysts are pessimistic about the impact of these changes on Afghanistan’s situation.

[Political affairs analyst Harun Mir, in Dari] It was Pakistan’s policy to kill prominent national personalities of Afghanistan and to totally put an end to an inter-Afghan dialogue; and somehow launch a propaganda war against tribes in Afghanistan.

[Journalist Nazari Paryani, in Dari] The American intelligence, which was also denying such reports in the past, is now confidently saying that the ISI is interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. But the replacements in Pakistan’s intelligence and army cannot help reduce Pakistan’s interferences in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

[Pakistan affairs analyst Ahmad Saidi, in Dari] The changes in Pakistan have led to the reshuffling of some army corps commanders. Nadim Taj, the former head of the ISI, who was a friend of [former president] Musharraf, has been replaced with Ahmed Shuja Pasha. Pakistan’s military chief has newly been appointed and he has brought the changes for two reasons. First, the international community and the USA are pressuring and calling for a change and reshuffling in Pakistan’s intelligence, meaning in the Pakistan army and intelligence. Secondly, General Kayani, who is currently Pakistan’s military chief, needs to appoint his own followers in the Pakistani army and intelligence.

[Correspondent] Pakistan has witnessed a wave of different violence in recent weeks. Pakistani President Asef Ali Zardari has mostly stressed on his decision to purge Pakistan of Taleban, and analysts are also saying that the establishment of peace in the region lies in the destruction of terrorist bases in Pakistan’s soil.

Originally published by Tolo TV, Kabul, in Dari 1330 3 Oct 08.

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