'India focus instead of Taliban may undermine Pak's stability'

Lalit K Jha

Washington, May 20 (PTI) The CIA has cautioned the
Pakistani leadership that their country's stability would be
at stake if they continued to focus on India as their primary
threat instead of concentrating on the security problem posed
by the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta also
told the Pakistani leaders that they have to clear the tribal
areas - the safe havens - of the terrorists.

"I guess what I'm hoping for is that Pakistan
recognises the danger that is involved in dealing with these
areas and the threat it constitutes to their stability,"
Panetta said, in response to a question at the Pacific Council
on International Policy in Los Angeles on Monday.

Observing that he understand the Pakistani concern
about India, Panetta said: "I understand the historical
concern that's always been there".

"But I have to tell you that if they don't pay
attention to these areas while they're worried about India,
this threat could undermine the stability of the country, and
that's why they have to face it," the CIA boss underlined.

Panetta said he cautioned the Pakistani leadership
before they entered into a peace agreement with the militants
in the Swat Valley.

"I have to tell you, when I first came into office I
sat down with the Pakistanis and I said, you have got to take
a look at this because it is dangerous. They said, no, we
think this is different. This isn't like the other agreements,
and they won't fall apart. Well, they did. I think they've
learned a lesson from that, hopefully," Panetta said.

The CIA chief who was recently in India and the
region, said the primary focus of Pakistan has always been on
India and the threat from India, and that to a large extent
the tribal areas, now the safe haven for terrorists, have been
ignored, he observed.

He said the US could create a partnership with
Pakistan only if they recognise that terrorists from within is
a real threat.

"Now, I think they're beginning to," he said,
referring to the ongoing military action against the
terrorists in the Swat Valley and adjoining areas.

He underlined the need to clear out the Taliban and
then hold them. "The key is not whether they simply go in and
bring the tanks in and clear out the Taliban and then back out
and allow the Taliban to go back in. They've got to clear
these areas and hold them. That's very important if it's going
to work," he said.

"So it is extremely important for Pakistan to
recognise the threat that it constitutes to their stability,"
Panetta said, indicating that the Pakistan does not have much
options left but to act fast against the militants.PTI LKJ RBS
HMK
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