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

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

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 destabilising 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.

But he accepts that Pakistan has little power to stop the strikes other than through public opinion: "We cannot take on the only superpower, which is all-powerful in the world at the moment. You can't take them on. We are a small country, we are ill-equipped."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/aug/03/cia-drone-strikes-violate-pakistan

[Where was George]

1. Thank you for exposing this travesty

The occupation of Afghanistan and subsequent/related drone strikes across the border in Pakistan are extremely dangerous to world security. In the long run anyway.

My best estimate as to the "reasoning" for these atrocities is to test war toys and secure oil pipelines in the general region. That and help protect the CIA's supply of opium. Also Afghanistan is a treasure trove of natural resources including mega deposits of Lithium used in modern batteries and nuclear devices. Perhaps many other reasons for this shadowy empire to keep its stranglehold on the region.

Despite much of the good that President Obama has done (at least compared to Bush II) he presently seems powerless to do much of anything to bring home the troops. Or tame the out of control rogues in CIA.

As Vietnam was to LBJ so is Pakistan and Afghanistan are to Obama. Main difference is that Obama did not start the hostilities over there. I see him in a tangled web with CIA threatening to ruin him politically if he even hints at trying to call off their dogs.

This is not an enviable position for the President. Nor of course the Pakistani and Afghanistan people. As well as our own sons and daughters.

.

[99th_Monkey]

2. Every "successful" drone attack

The USA launches is creating multiple "terrorist" enemies anew,
family & friends of the dead, who care ... and who were NOT our
enemies before.

How insane is that?

[Robb]

3. He said the same thing in February.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/09-Feb-2012/pakistan-to-support-iran-if-israel-attacks-says-wajid

[Trillo]

4. reminds me of this post

Every municipality is complaining about local police forces run wild. And no one does anything

[Vidar]

5. Of course it does, but the sovereignty we respect is our own.

[samsingh]

6. through their support of terrorists, pakistan violates everyone's sovereignty

[cosmicone]

7. Who cares what Pakistan says?

It is terror-central with the government, military and ISI supporting terrorist groups for decades.

Pakistan is doing practically nothing to stop the terrorist attacks in India and Afghanistan using its puppets.

I say, "more drone strikes please" until the Pakistani terror apparatus is crippled.

Those who engage in terrorism have no respectable sovereignty to protect.