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Sami Abraham
WASHINGTON: Top level, behind the scene, deliberations have begun in White House here on Wednesday, to re-evaluate the progress in war on terror with particular emphasis on situation in Pakistan.
In the first meeting held between secretary of State Hilary Clinton, National security advisor James Jones and Secretary Defence Robert Gates the Pakistani reaction over the Kerry-Lugar Bill also reportedly came under discussion.
Sources in the white House revealed that the developing situation in Pakistan on Kerry-Lugar Bill has not put only Obama administraion in awkward position, a number of key conservative hawks have asked to reassess the US efforts to find a partnership with Pakistan.
"It is not a good picture.it has put all types of aid in jeopardy" said a Foreign relations committee top official on condition of anonymity.
White House officials confirmed that a meeting of the national security council with President Obama in the chair is scheduled to be held later in the afternoon. Among those who are expected to attend this meeting includ Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary Hilary Clinton, Secretary Robert Gates, Ambassador Susan Rice, Permanent US Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command, General James Jones, National Security Advisor, Admiral Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, CIA Director Leon Panetta, Tom Donilon, Deputy National Security Advisor and John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security whereas General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, Karl Eikenberry, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan and, Anne Patterson, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan will take part in the discussions via videoconference.
Senator John Kerry, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee who took part in the white House consultation on Tuesday, told the reporters, at Capitol Hill that the situation was very complicated in Afghanistan. The current strategy was not working well over there and it did not have a military solution either so the Obama administration was having a very careful look before deciding what should be the next step.
Senator Kerry said that the biggest question was to carefully analyze what could be the impact on Pakistan if military surge was to happen in Afghanistan. He said the government in Afghanistan was dysfunctional either because of the corruption or due to lack of political support which was needed to resolve the problem.
He said it was very important to have an active partner in the shape of Afghan government to engage in successful counter insurgency efforts but the situation in the ground was difficult because Karzai government could not act the way it was needed to respond. However, senator Kerry ruled out withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan saying neither was it an option nor was being discussed at any level.
"I think a lot of senators and congressmen need to ask themselves how much money they are willing to put on the table, for how long and for what strategy," said Senator Kerry. "This is a tough set of interrelated questions. And I think there have been some unfortunate straw men set up." he added
White House sources say that most of the participants of the meeting were of the view that momentum of success in Swat and Malakand operation must continue ...and dialogue with those Taliban who were willing to surrender and disassociate themselves from Alqaeda must be encouraged. |
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