The Viper in the Bosom

by AHSAN WAHED

The US Ambassador in Pakistan has been uncharacteristically blunt in
her talk with the Washington Post. Her remarks on the 'Quetta
Shura' ( US perception of a grouping of Afghan Taliban supporting the
insurgency in Afghanistan) come just when the Kerry-Lugar Bill is
being called 'peanuts' and its conditionalities are being considered
as 'unacceptable' for a sovereign country and the work of those who
want to survive on US largesse. The Pakistan street is also concerned
with the whole 'Blackwater' expose and in fact the US-Pakistan
relationship is being viewed with a great deal of suspicion with the
focus once again on the continuing Drone attacks. Pakistanis are now
openly asking who the real viper is after the US ambassador spoke of
'those who keep vipers in their bosom get bitten'. She also confirmed
a divergence of interests with Pakistan and admitted that while they
do not have enough information on Baluchistan it is going to be the
focus of their interest.

The Ambassadors remarks come after an obviously 'leaked' story in the
Sunday Times that hinted at 'drone attacks in Quetta'. Quetta is the
provincial capital of Baluchistan-- Pakistan's largest province that
has long land borders with Iran and Southern Afghanistan the heart of
the Taliban struggle against the US/NATO. The current US problem with
Iran is also on the table unresolved. Is the Ambassador shifting focus
away from 'Blackwater' and 'Kerry-Lugar' or is this the van guard of
an attempt to bring the problems with Pakistan to a head right after
US economic aid to Pakistan has been tripled? Or is this to suggest
expansion of the conflict in Afghanistan to justify and support
McChrystal's demand for more troops under threat of failure or is it
to cover up the total failure in Afghanistan by blaming the mythical
'Quetta Shura'? Does this have anything to do with a military option
against Iran that is being pushed by certain lobbies? Is it just a
message to Pakistan to clean up its act in Baluchistan? Or is it ALL
of the above?

Read Complete Article : http://pakistan-pal.newsvine.com/_news/2009/10/01/3337500-the-viper-in-the-bosom
.

Loading