Amrullah saleh interview

[marwat]

audio version
http://www.mashaalradio.mobi/a/27017812.html

In recent months, the often quarreling neighbors Pakistan and Afghanistan have appeared to open a new chapter in their relations with frequent leadership visits and pledges of cooperation.

But the former head of the National Directorate of Security, the Afghan intelligence services, sees little sign of Islamabad changing its longstanding approach toward Afghanistan, which centers on bolstering Taliban insurgents as key Afghan allies.

In an interview following this week's Kabul visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Amrullah Saleh finds few reasons to be optimistic about Pakistan's role in ending his country's decades-long conflict.

"There was nothing new on this visit for the Afghan government or the Afghan people," Saleh told Radio Free Afghanistan. "The basic difference between the two countries is that Islamabad thinks that only the Pakistani Taliban are terrorists and the Afghan Taliban are not."

Saleh said Pakistani efforts are apparently focused on engaging the Afghan government on their role in convincing the Taliban to talk to Kabul in addition to soliciting its help in combating the Pakistani Taliban.

"What we now need is a framework [for peace negotiations] with a defined agenda and representatives from the Afghan government side and the Taliban," he said. "Such a framework could help in shaping a lasting political solution."

He sees no progress toward such an end. "As far as I know, Pakistan is not yet ready to help with such a framework," he said. "This year is a year of fighting, and we don't expect Pakistan to change its policy [toward Afghanistan] this year."

Saleh says that during Sharif's Kabul visit the prime minister condemned the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and said Afghanistan's enemies are his country's enemies, too.

But Sharif, he says, has little power to change his country's policies toward Afghanistan, which are still controlled by the powerful Pakistani Army.

The former Afghan top spy says the head of Pakistan's powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lieutenant General Rizwan Akhtar, made a surprising demand during his talk with Afghan officials on May 6.

"He asked the Afghan government to provide 170 passports to Taliban leaders," Saleh said. "This means not only that they [the Pakistanis] are supporting the Taliban but that they also know who's who in the organization."

He added the demand was ostensibly aimed at enabling the Taliban to travel abroad to meet Afghan officials. "But it is evidence that Pakistan still supports the Taliban and their war," Saleh said.

The former Afghan intelligence chief sees Pakistan cleverly manipulating the recent improvement in relations with Afghanistan by giving the impression of helping Kabul arrange negotiations with the Taliban.

"They want to maintain contact with us so that the hope for dialogue and negotiations can be kept alive," Saleh said. "Pakistan also wants to demonstrate that it is not solely focused on investing in Afghan wars because they are afraid of international opinion. Not only do they want to trick Afghans but they also want to swindle the international community."

In addition, Saleh says, Islamabad wants to solicit Kabul's help in going after Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been blamed for most terrorist attacks inside Pakistan in recent years. "They want the Afghan government to share intelligence and allow Pakistani forces to conduct operations against the TTP on Afghan soil," he said.

However, he says Islamabad is not keen on allowing the same regarding the Afghan Taliban operating out of Pakistan. "Terrorists can be defined as people who employ tactics such as suicide bombs and engage in armed struggles against legitimate governments," he said. "We can apply this definition to the [Afghan] Taliban."

http://gdb.rferl.org/FC9C6F21-4D79-4..._w250_r1_s.jpg
For this reason, Saleh remains deeply skeptical of future cooperation between the two neighbors.

"If the levels of violence recede this year and the Taliban stop their attacks and agree to a political dialogue, it will show that Pakistan's policy [toward Afghanistan] has changed," he said.
http://gandhara.rferl.mobi/a/afghani.../27016487.html

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

He's not totally wrong.

But his anti pak stance is justified as at the end of the day,it was the pakistani establishment that destroyed his efforts and future.

[tilla_jogian]

This sala haramkhor was trained in Pakistan.

"In 1990, in order to avoid being conscripted into the Soviet-backed Afghan army, Saleh joined the opposition mujahideen forces. He received military training in neighboring Pakistan and fought under mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.[2]"

[ComradePashtun]

I don't always agree with him, but he is 100% correct here. Still respect for Saleh.

[ComradePashtun]

He's not totally wrong.

But his anti pak stance is justified as at the end of the day,it was the pakistani establishment that destroyed his efforts and future.

Factually incorrect. He would have been a nnightmare had he still headed NDS. I wish he did, we would be talking business now now. I respect the man's devotion for his job.

[khushal]

He threatened Ghani with partition if Ghani didnt step down as president and he is one of the main causes that is preventing Ghani from forming a government. He is more of a threat to the AFghan gov than Pakistan is. It is the division that he is causing that pakistan is taking advantage of that will ultimately bring the Kabul regime down.

I can understand Dabunnamazdigar's happiness with him since Salah indirectly helps pakistan but why are pashtun nationalists on their knees for him

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

He threatened Ghani with partition if Ghani didnt step down as president and he is one of the main causes that is preventing Ghani from forming a government. He is more of a threat to the AFghan gov than Pakistan is. It is the division that he is causing that pakistan is taking advantage of that will ultimately bring the Kabul regime down.

I can understand Dabunnamazdigar's happiness with him since Salah indirectly helps pakistan but why are pashtun nationalists on their knees for him

Sorry but anyone be it him or even Israel defence forces will have my support if they are against talibs(pakistan-afghanistan).

Don't worry,No matter what,Pakistan-Iran will never allow the disintegration of Afghanistan

[khushal]

Sorry but anyone be it him or even Israel defence forces will have my support if they are against talibs(pakistan-afghanistan).

Don't worry,No matter what,Pakistan-Iran will never allow the disintegration of Afghanistan

Just worry about your own disintegration.
Your one of those idiot uneducated and brainwashed paki boys who actually believe everything the paki army shyts out of their anus. The Paki Army will never give up their good taliban - bad taliban policy.

[tilla_jogian]

Just worry about your own disintegration.
Your one of those idiot uneducated and brainwashed paki boys who actually believe everything the paki army shyts out of their anus. The Paki Army will never give up their good taliban - bad taliban policy.

Maybe you are completly wrong and other Afghans here are right, maybe Afghan taliban only enjoy support of few thousands. In that case say good bye Afghan Taliban by next year, I can bet on that. And about Pakistan which literarly translate in to land of pure or fort of islam

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

Just worry about your own disintegration.
Your one of those idiot uneducated and brainwashed paki boys who actually believe everything the paki army shyts out of their anus. The Paki Army will never give up their good taliban - bad taliban policy.

If you have followed my earlier post,as i have said in the past.if Pakistan has survived the period 2007-13,today Pakistan will remain intact even if ww3 is fought within the boundries of Pakistan.

People like you remind me of the PPP followers from the 70's.Difficult to change and mentally dead.

[BarakzaiAbdali]

If you have followed my earlier post,as i have said in the past.if Pakistan has survived the period 2007-13,today Pakistan will remain intact even if ww3 is fought within the boundries of Pakistan.

People like you remind me of the PPP followers from the 70's.Difficult to change and mentally dead.

I would agree that Pakistan has the following going for its momentum of preservation:

1) Multiple gulf states view it as a utilizable adjunct military force
2) The same view it as a repository of military arsenal/nuclear knowledge
3) The people are at this point used to corruption/famine/misery/lack of upward mobility except for the chosen few - so in essence, how much worse could it get?
4) The US prefers its stability for its own purposes versus instability that might give rise to "unsavory" characters
5) Great lobby in Congress to keep foreign aid going
6) A leadership that appears to prefer pragmatic approaches to fulfill dogmatic strategic views. For example, if a dog, a tree, Satan, an Angel etc etc could ensure Pakistan faces no threat from its durand side border it will back that group and not necessarily the ideologues it used in yesteryear to fulfill its goals even if the population has or had some affinity
7) Its military media complex has proven effective in manipulating the public's mood and perception and definition of military actions and its enemies on par with most developed nations. Unfortunately, this means most Pakistanis are woefully ignorant of historical realities...

But with all that said, its a different world and Pakistan faces a new set of challenges

1) Surrounded by folks that are not Pak-centric or Pak-friendly and who communicate with eachother
2) Dealing with an India that will, like all powers do, try to find fail safes for energy transport and commerce that cannot be affected by Pakistan's mood
3) In concert with 2) India will do its best to work w Iran/Afghanistan and others to make this happen
4) A super power has penetrated its intelligence and military structure (if Sy Hersh proves correct) at the highest levels and works right next door and has proven, if nothing else, that it will not respect Pakistan's territorial integrity or autonomy if its not to its benefit
5) Its military is stretched on two fronts and, through its actions, has augmented some of the local misery that we spoke of above. They sustained losses despite inflicting brutal measures and continue to have hostile operators working against them with fervency.
6) A leadership in Afghanistan that to some degree is composed of people that understand autonomy in the fullest sense will never be attainable without Pakistan being neutralized in some form or another.

And remember, Hubris, or this belief that your nation state is divinely ordained to survive in its present form... is foolish. There is no guarantee on anything in this world and the balance of the factors above will be the arbiter on the end result.

I have had the chance to talk with relatives of people who left Pakistan decades ago and maintained contact. These are educated people and I have noted two or three consistent things

1) They are upset or disgusted with their homeland for its behavior to Pashtuns in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the devastating effect Pakistan has had on the Pashtun nation and lands.

2) These were people who were "true believers" in Pakistan as youth when it was founded in 1947 and did not wish it ill initially.

3) They all wonder whether in the next two decades, a disintegration of Pakistan is imminent.

[Da Bannu Mazdigar]

I would agree that Pakistan has the following going for its momentum of preservation:

1) Multiple gulf states view it as a utilizable adjunct military force

In the past may be but not anymore,Pakistan refusal to participate in yemen with the coalition must have changed the views of gulf states.

2) The same view it as a repository of military arsenal/nuclear knowledge

if Pakistan could not support them with troops in a minor offensive like yemen what makes you think that we will give them nuclear umbrella?

3) The people are at this point used to corruption/famine/misery/lack of upward mobility except for the chosen few - so in essence, how much worse could it get?

Part of almost every developing country

4) The US prefers its stability for its own purposes versus instability that might give rise to "unsavory" characters

5) Great lobby in Congress to keep foreign aid going

Unlike the notion in Pakistan people,i don't believe that America is behind instability of Pakistan currently.They need us in the region,so they have to pay something.

6) A leadership that appears to prefer pragmatic approaches to fulfill dogmatic strategic views. For example, if a dog, a tree, Satan, an Angel etc etc could ensure Pakistan faces no threat from its durand side border it will back that group and not necessarily the ideologues it used in yesteryear to fulfill its goals even if the population has or had some affinity

Past tense,Since Ashraf ghani has also asked NDS to give up rivalry with ISI,most likely we have also abandoned this strategy.

7) Its military media complex has proven effective in manipulating the public's mood and perception and definition of military actions and its enemies on par with most developed nations. Unfortunately, this means most Pakistanis are woefully ignorant of historical realities...

Does it even matter?Infact even today,Many Pakistanis has access to internet and does know the reality of our past or our adventures with india but still are pro Army.

But with all that said, its a different world and Pakistan faces a new set of challenges

1) Surrounded by folks that are not Pak-centric or Pak-friendly and who communicate with eachother

Who?India and Afghanistan?As iran is a very responsible country and i really doubt they will allow india to use irani land for activities against Pakistan.

Afghanistan itself has alot to loose if they further allow India to have anti pak activities from afghan side,and i am sure,people in the NDS and Afghanistan govt has already realized this

2) Dealing with an India that will, like all powers do, try to find fail safes for energy transport and commerce that cannot be affected by Pakistan's mood
3) In concert with 2) India will do its best to work w Iran/Afghanistan and others to make this happen

How does it affect Pakistan?India even today is ready for converting LOC into IB if we agree.

Don't worry,once we end the internal mess,we will deal with india

4) A super power has penetrated its intelligence and military structure (if Sy Hersh proves correct) at the highest levels and works right next door and has proven, if nothing else, that it will not respect Pakistan's territorial integrity or autonomy if its not to its benefit

I agree about this part but like iran,we can also stop it if our leaders/establishment wants to.

5) Its military is stretched on two fronts and, through its actions, has augmented some of the local misery that we spoke of above. They sustained losses despite inflicting brutal measures and continue to have hostile operators working against them with fervency.

Military of Pakistan size has the capacity to fight on two fronts.The local live in my city and i know what they feel of the operation.Infact last week i met a mehsud from SW now living in DIK and he told me that the local are in very much favour of army presence.Last month i met a bhittani driver from tank as he told me the stories of talibs in tank as back than he had mobile phones shop and how n95 was taken from him by them on force.

Today i am 100% sure that the people of Afghanistan prefer ANA over talibs as the people of FATA prefer army over talibs(except for those family having directly relations with talibs)

6) A leadership in Afghanistan that to some degree is composed of people that understand autonomy in the fullest sense will never be attainable without Pakistan being neutralized in some form or another.

Ashraf ghani will establish the root of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations extending from economy to join military operation against talibs.Just wait and watch.

And remember, Hubris, or this belief that your nation state is divinely ordained to survive in its present form... is foolish. There is no guarantee on anything in this world and the balance of the factors above will be the arbiter on the end result.

Pakistan has survived the worst time of its history(2007-13) and i believe it will never be repeated again.You can believe otherwise.Infact even nehru said that Pakistan within 2 decades will again merge with india.

I have had the chance to talk with relatives of people who left Pakistan decades ago and maintained contact. These are educated people and I have noted two or three consistent things

1) They are upset or disgusted with their homeland for its behavior to Pashtuns in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the devastating effect Pakistan has had on the Pashtun nation and lands.

2) These were people who were "true believers" in Pakistan as youth when it was founded in 1947 and did not wish it ill initially.

I just don't know where you people get these stories from?Do you even know that the expat pakistanis are more patriot than even those living in the country?

I beg to differ,i am tired of this BS.Why just don't you guy visit the pakistani pashtun areas and ask them?

Believe me,i have hard time explaining to my fellow pashtuns from swat/dir as that we are pashtuns first and pakistani later.Believe me they even termed me as being brainwashed by foreign agencies.

3) They all wonder whether in the next two decades, a disintegration of Pakistan is imminent.

The only way,i believe Pakistan can be destroyed is launching a campaign of nuking Pakistan and executing any pakistani living anywhere in the world including those with dual nationalities.

if you have any alternative option,lets discuss it

[BarakzaiAbdali]

In the past may be but not anymore,Pakistan refusal to participate in yemen with the coalition must have changed the views of gulf states.



if Pakistan could not support them with troops in a minor offensive like yemen what makes you think that we will give them nuclear umbrella?



Part of almost every developing country



Unlike the notion in Pakistan people,i don't believe that America is behind instability of Pakistan currently.They need us in the region,so they have to pay something.


Past tense,Since Ashraf ghani has also asked NDS to give up rivalry with ISI,most likely we have also abandoned this strategy.



Does it even matter?Infact even today,Many Pakistanis has access to internet and does know the reality of our past or our adventures with india but still are pro Army.



Who?India and Afghanistan?As iran is a very responsible country and i really doubt they will allow india to use irani land for activities against Pakistan.

Afghanistan itself has alot to loose if they further allow India to have anti pak activities from afghan side,and i am sure,people in the NDS and Afghanistan govt has already realized this



How does it affect Pakistan?India even today is ready for converting LOC into IB if we agree.

Don't worry,once we end the internal mess,we will deal with india




I agree about this part but like iran,we can also stop it if our leaders/establishment wants to.


Military of Pakistan size has the capacity to fight on two fronts.The local live in my city and i know what they feel of the operation.Infact last week i met a mehsud from SW now living in DIK and he told me that the local are in very much favour of army presence.Last month i met a bhittani driver from tank as he told me the stories of talibs in tank as back than he had mobile phones shop and how n95 was taken from him by them on force.

Today i am 100% sure that the people of Afghanistan prefer ANA over talibs as the people of FATA prefer army over talibs(except for those family having directly relations with talibs)


Ashraf ghani will establish the root of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations extending from economy to join military operation against talibs.Just wait and watch.


Pakistan has survived the worst time of its history(2007-13) and i believe it will never be repeated again.You can believe otherwise.Infact even nehru said that Pakistan within 2 decades will again merge with india.


I just don't know where you people get these stories from?Do you even know that the expat pakistanis are more patriot than even those living in the country?

I beg to differ,i am tired of this BS.Why just don't you guy visit the pakistani pashtun areas and ask them?

Believe me,i have hard time explaining to my fellow pashtuns from swat/dir as that we are pashtuns first and pakistani later.Believe me they even termed me as being brainwashed by foreign agencies.


The only way,i believe Pakistan can be destroyed is launching a campaign of nuking Pakistan and executing any pakistani living anywhere in the world including those with dual nationalities.

if you have any alternative option,lets discuss it

This is not true. Expatriot Pashtuns born in the 1930s and 40s era are just old enough to recall the British India period.

These people have no allegiance to India are not on any Governmental payroll.

They are hanafi madhab Sunnis and discuss how the madrassah system in the 30s and 40s was reasonable in that there were some vocational skills at least tight alongside religious education.

They are honest folks in that they lay some of the blame at the feet or our own Pashtuns for not being calculating enough for their own interests... but they are clear that Pakistan and the muhajirs especially in the Karachi region and beyond are vehemently corrupt and against Pashtun ascendancy and autonomy.

And there are two classes of expatriots: the educated class (the majority of the people I know) and the worker class that came over and do menial labor and odd jobs to support the village/family back home. The latter are loyal to Pakistan, their village, and their family because they aggregate all three into one concept.

Those that were engineers, lawyers, doctors though - are viciously upset with Pakistan's governance and Army.

I witnessed one old timer reprimanding a geologist on a visit from Pakistan for not using his head more when thinking about current events.