Pakistan Security Brief - July 29, 2010

Pakistan Security Brief – July 29, 2010

U.S. intelligence agencies report that A.Q Khan network may be reactivating; British Prime Minister’s statements create diplomatic row with Pakistan; Pakistan’s Foreign Minister seeking clarification from President Karzai; Obama Administration defends Pakistan aid in New Delhi; 3 security forces personnel and 10 militants killed in South Waziristan clash; Frontier Corps Commander denies unlawful killings in Malakand Agency.

A.Q. Khan Network

• According to U.S. intelligence agencies, scientists, engineers, and financiers involved in the A.Q. Khan nuclear-smuggling network have been contacted by several governments hoping to solicit their expertise. Intelligence reports compiled over the past seven months indicate that several foreign governments – including Brazil, Burma, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria – approached members of the network with offers to bring them out of retirement. This development is raising concerns about the reactivation of the proliferation network known to have supplied “starter kits” for uranium enrichment to Libya, Iran, and North Korea from the 1980s until it was shut down in 2003. [1]

U.K.-Pak Relations

• British Prime Minister David Cameron defended statements made on Wednesday warning Pakistan that "we cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways” by turning a blind eye to terrorism while demanding respect as a democracy. Speaking during a two-day visit to India, PM Cameron reaffirmed the U.K.'s determination to fight groups that threaten the safety of British nationals. Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the U.K. accused PM Cameron of  “damaging the prospects of regional peace.” PM Cameron told the BBC on Thursday, “I think it's important to speak frankly about the problems as you see them. I think that is what people expect of their government.” This latest diplomatic row comes ahead of President Zardari’s planned visit to the U.K next week.[2]

Af-Pak Relations

• A spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Thursday it was seeking clarification of “incomprehensible” remarks made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai urging his Western allies to strike militant position inside Pakistan. President Karzai did not explicitly mention Pakistan by name, but said that the next step in the war against terrorism is striking “the sanctuaries, funding centers and training places of terrorism which are outside Afghanistan.”[3]

U.S.-Pak Relations

• State Department spokesperson, P.J. Crowley, defended the Obama Administration's provision of military aid to Pakistan on Wednesday in New Delhi. Crowley stressed that the use of U.S. military equipment is limited and features a strict system of accountability, thus the "building up the capability of Pakistan to deal with the threat within its own borders should not be seen as a threat to India.”[4]

• Appearing on the Charlie Rose Show on Wednesday, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Hussain Haqqani, asked critics to judge its anti-terrorism performance within the context of current efforts, marked by Pakistan’s many sacrifices and unprecedented cooperation with the U.S. and Afghanistan. Ambassador Haqqani also said that Islamabad is “deeply worried” about a sudden U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan similar to what happened in the late 1980’s.[5]

South Waziristan

• Three security forces personnel were killed and 10 others wounded when militants attacked a military convoy in Pash Ziarat of South Waziristan on Tuesday. According to sources, the convoy was travelling from Shawal in South Waziristan to Razmak in North Waziristan when it came under attack. According to local sources, the attack lasted two hours. Ten militants were also reportedly killed in the fighting.[6]

Frontier Corps Denies Unlawful Killings

• The army Corps Commander for  Peshawar, Lt. General Asif Malik, dismissed allegations on Wednesday of unlawfully killing detainees in Malakand Agency. Speaking during a five-day workshop on Human Rights Laws and Rules of Engagement, Lt. Gen. Malik emphasized that the army conducts itself professionally and in line with international norms.[7]