ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan’s decision to fire its national security adviser has exposed cracks within the shaky, civilian government as it faces growing U.S. and Indian pressure to punish the alleged plotters of the Mumbai terrorist attacks.
The move against Mahmood Ali Durrani, a former ambassador to Washington and a proponent of close ties with India, came hours after he and other top officials told reporters that the sole surviving Mumbai attacker was a Pakistani citizen.
A spokesman for Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Durrani was fired late Wednesday because “he gave media interviews on national security issues without consulting the prime minister.”
Indian media quoted Durrani as saying earlier that Mohammed Ajmal Kasab was Pakistani, while other top Pakistani officials separately confirmed it to media outlets.
There was no sign that the other officials would also be fired, suggesting that Durrani’s ouster was caused by other, unpublicized reasons.
I would suspect thos “unpublicized reasons” at least include the perception (and frequent criticism) of Durrani from the Pakistani public for being to “Pro-America.” If that is the case, this is an unfortunate development in Bush’s attempts to build a working relationship with Pakistan to improve security and ouster Taliban clusters from the country. Pakistani’s have no love for the Taliban, but if my assumptions are right about Durrani’s firing, this is a message from the Pakistani government that they see a coalition with the US as simply extra baggage in their efforts to reclaim reform. A thumb of the nose at the past 8 years and millions of dollars in untraceable aid.
It seems almost cliche to keep pointing it out, but Obama has his work cut out for him.
Pakistan is one area that will teach Obama fans that his election does not mean that world opinions about the US will change on a dime. Pakistan’s view of the US will not change markedly just because Bush leaves office.
I completely agree, Craig. But it’s important to recognize that all those Obama “fans” voted for someone who will get that long process started. Finally.