Obama admn 'disturbed' by Saeed's release: Holbrooke

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Jun 3 (PTI) The Obama administration is
"disturbed" by the release of JuD chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed,
who was placed under house arrest nearly six months ago in the
wake of the Mumbai attacks, US Special Representative Richard
Holbrooke said Wednesday.

Holbrooke, the special American envoy for Pakistan and
Afghanistan, expressed reservations over the release of Saeed.
"His release has disturbed us all," he told Geo News channel.

The Lahore High Court Tuesday accepted Saeed's petition
challenging his detention in the wake of the Mumbai terror
attacks and ordered his immediate release.

Saeed and numerous other top JuD leaders were detained in
December last year after the UN Security Council designated
his group as a front organistaion for the banned
Lashker-e-Taiba, which is blamed for the Mumbai attacks.

India expressed disappointment at Saeed's release, saying
the move raised "serious doubts over Pakistan's sincerity in
acting with determination against terrorist groups and
individuals operating from its territory."

Pakistan described India's reaction as "misplaced" and
said it had demonstrated "full sincerity and commitment" in
the probe into the Mumbai attacks.

Holbrooke, who is scheduled to visit refugee camps in
Pakistan, also referred to the ongoing military operations
against the Taliban in the Swat valley, saying Pakistan had
done "what it should" and the US had provided the Pakistan
army with equipment for its campaign. The equipment included
night vision devices and four helicopters, he said.

The militants in Buner and other parts of Malakand
division want to spoil the Pakistan founded by Muhammad Ali
Jinnah and the US will not leave Pakistan alone at this
critical juncture, Holbrooke said.

Islamic countries should now come forward to help the
people displaced by the military operations, he said. The
Organisation of the Islamic Conference should help them, he
added.

Holbrooke also said the heads of the ruling Pakistan
People's Party and main opposition PML-N had agreed to scrap
the President's sweeping powers under the 17th constitutional
amendment.

There is no difference of opinion between PML-N chief
Nawaz Sharif and PPP leader and President Asif Ali Zardari on
this issue, he said. PTI RHL
JVN