Blow to US hopes for backing from key border countries

The Guardian | September 27, 2001

[Kenyon]

Blow to US hopes for backing from key border countries
Pakistan Fears grow over role of rebels

Rory McCarthy in Islamabad
Thursday September 27, 2001
The Guardian

Cracks were appearing last night in Pakistan's support for the US as doubts mounted over plans to use Afghanistan's opposition forces to overthrow the Taliban regime.

Islamabad's concern is that Washington plans to replace the Taliban with leaders drawn from the ethnic minorities in the opposition Northern Alliance. Pakistan regards the alliance as an enemy and ally of India, its long-time rival on the subcontinent.

"I think Pakistan would be very upset if the Taliban regime falls and then the government that comes into power is dominated by the Northern Alliance," said Talat Masood, a retired general and close friend of Gen Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's military leader. On Tuesday Pakistan's foreign minister, Abdul Sattar, warned the Americans against "trying to foist a government" on Afghanistan.

Western military analysts are convinced Pakistan's powerful military intelligence agency has provided money and military advice to the Taliban over the past seven years.

Although US and Pakistani military officials in Islamabad last night reached a broad agreement on logistics support for an attack on Afghanistan, the relationship appears to be weakening. "Things from the US side on the diplomatic front are not moving the way we initially expected," a senior Pakistani official said.

Islamabad is concerned that Washington is not seeking UN approval for a military operation and has only limited support from the Muslim world. Military sources in Islamabad say Pakistan has agreed to open its airspace to US fighters but is much more reluctant to allow US troops to be stationed here. Permission is likely to be given for only aircraft maintenance crews to stay on Pakistani soil.