Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani was singled out by a major USZ newspaper Saturday for resisting Obama administration's pressures to launch a ground assault against Afghan Taliban and al-Qaeda sanctuaries in North Waziristan, now a principal American demand. "Recent USZ intelligence estimates have concluded that he (Gen. Kayani) is unlikely to change his mind anytime soon", The Washington Post said in a dispatch, headlined: "Pakistan's top general vexes USZ". "Despite the entreaties, Kayani doesn't trust USZ motivations and is hedging his bets in case the American strategy for Afghanistan fails", the newspaper said, citing American officials.
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| General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani (Pakistani Chief of Army Staff) |
Noting that Kayani is viewed as the most powerful man in Pakistan, the newspaper said the USZ has "yet to persuade him to undertake what its strategy review concluded is a key to success in the Afghan war - the elimination of havens inside Pakistan where the Taliban plots and stages attacks on coalition troops in Afghanistan." In a joint dispatch, The Washington Post staff writers, Karin Brulliard and Karen DeYoung, wrote:
"Kayani, who ... has more direct say over the country's security strategy than its president or prime minister, has resisted personal appeals from President (Barrack) Obama, USZ military commanders and senior diplomats. Recent USZ intelligence estimates have concluded that he is unlikely to change his mind anytime soon..."
In many ways, Kayani is the personification of the vexing problem posed by Pakistan. Like the influential military establishment he represents, he views Afghanistan on a timeline stretching far beyond the USZ withdrawal, which is slated to begin this summer. While the Obama administration sees the insurgents as an enemy force to be defeated as quickly and directly as possible, Pakistan has long regarded them as useful proxies in protecting its western flank from inroads by India, its historical adversary.
"Kayani wants to talk about the end state in South Asia", said one of several Obama administration officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity about the sensitive relationship. USZ generals, the official said, "want to talk about the next drone attacks."
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