Sebastian Abbot: Discord on drone raid looks ominous

Published on Friday 18 March 2011 15:26

A rare condemnation by the Pakistan army chief of an especially deadly US drone attack and Washington's abrupt dismissal of his concern shows how troubled the countries' strategically vital relationship has become.

The spat, following the contentious release of an American CIA contractor who shot and killed two Pakistanis, also highlights the dysfunctional nature of the relationship. Pakistani officials often fan the flames of anti-American sentiment, even when quietly supporting the US in the background.

Growing discord between the two countries could prove ominous for US attempts to get Pakistan to boost its help with the Afghan war. The US wants Pakistan to target on its territory the Taleban militants who attack US troops in Afghanistan or - more likely - push them into negotiating.

"The relationship between Pakistan and the US is becoming very awkward and unsustainable in the way it is proceeding in every aspect," said Talat Masood, a former Pakistani army general.

Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani strongly condemned Thursday's drone attack, saying it killed many innocent civilians.

Pakistani intelligence officials initially said it killed three dozen militants in North Waziristan who were discussing sending more fighters into Afghanistan. But the same officials said yesterday the missiles hit a meeting between two tribes who had gone to the Taleban for help in mediating a dispute. A total of 12 Taleban fighters and 24 innocent civilians were killed, they said.

A US official denied innocent people were targeted.

"There's every indication that this was a group of terrorists, not a charity car wash in the Pakistani hinterlands," he said.

The statement differed sharply from usual US responses to alleged civilian casualties in Afghanistan, where military officials regularly express concern about such reports and promise a thorough investigation.

Some analysts believe Gen Kayani's condemnation may have been intended to deflect criticism of the military's perceived role in releasing the CIA contractor, Raymond Allen Davis, earlier this week. He was freed after the heirs of his victims received more than $2 million in "blood money".

Given Mr Davis's CIA connections, it is hard to believe the army did not sanction or arrange his release, which sparked anger across Pakistan.

"I think what happened is Kayani had to protect himself, and I think the US made a mistake carrying out such a large attack only a day after Davis was released," said Mr Masood. "It created a huge embarrassment for the whole power structure in Pakistan."

Gen Kayani rarely issues public statements on US drone attacks.Pakistani politicians regularly condemn them as violations of the country's sovereignty, but Pakistan's most powerful intelligence agency, which is controlled by the army, is believed to help with some of the strikes, and some of the drones are believed to take off from bases in the country.

Despite accepting billions of dollars in American aid, Pakistani officials often publicly oppose US behaviour because they don't want to suffer the backlash of anti-American sentiment.

"For years, American officials have heaped scorn on Pakistan, accusing it of double dealing in the war against terrorism," said political analyst Imtiaz Gul. "It will have to abandon its heavy-handed approach if it wants to make the partnership work."