CIA drone strikes violate Pakistan's sovereignty, says senior diplomat

[Jeffersons Ghost]

CIA drone strikes violate Pakistan's sovereignty, says senior diplomat

One of Islamabad's most senior diplomats is warning that CIA drone strikes in Pakistan's tribal areas are weakening democracy and risk pushing people towards extremist groups.

Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the high commissioner to London and one of Pakistan's top ambassadors, also accuses the US of "talking in miles" when it comes to democracy but "moving in inches".

In an interview with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, Hasan, four years into his second stint in the post, argues that US drone strikes risk significantly weakening Pakistan's democratic institutions. "What has been the whole outcome of these drone attacks is that you have directly or indirectly contributed to destabilizing or undermining the democratic government. Because people really make fun of the democratic government – when you pass a resolution against drone attacks in the parliament and nothing happens. The Americans don't listen to you, and they continue to violate your territory," he said.

http://india.nydailynews.com/newsarticle/501c0f25c3d4ca964f000004/cia-drone-strikes-violate-pakistan-s-sovereignty-says-senior-diplomat

[superstring1]

1. Use of drones has yet to be parsed out in international law. Could turn and bite us.

Right now, we're riding high on this, but over 50 countries are developing some form of drones. The use of these things has about as much negative potential and anything that has been developed in decades. I can assume what our reaction would be to use of a drone to attack some building in New York City, or the Pentagon or CIA where the drone program is planned and supported.

I would support an international ban on the use of drones from a foreign source against anything in any country with whom the foreign power is not formally at war, as recognized by international law.

'Nuremburg rules' should apply, IMO.