Are high-level Pakistani military officers conducting secret negotiations with militants based in Waziristan? Corps commander Peshawar Lt. Gen. Safdar Hussain labeled his visit to South Waziristan as routine, denying media reports that he went there for a secret meeting with wanted militants' commander Abdullah Mahsud, asserting, "It is baseless. I was surprised by those reports in two Urdu newspapers. It was just a normal visit to Jandola, Wana and Kaniguram to meet the troops and review the situation. I would call a press conference if such a meeting took place.
Modifying the pious denial somewhat, Hussain did admit that during his "normal" visit he met with South Waziristan tribal elders and notables, including Abdullah Mahsud's close relative retired Col. Yaqub Mahsud. Hussian added, "Through them I have conveyed messages to Abdullah Mahsud and other militants to stop fighting and help the government to restore peace in the area. I still believe in a peaceful, long-term solution to the problem through negotiations. These are indirect contacts. Abdullah Mahsud's relations are in touch with me and also with him. But there has been no meeting between me and Abdullah Mahsud." Hussain castigated the Pakistani media for wrongly confirming such a meeting. Mahsud is proving an international embarrassment for the Pakistani authorities, as he is suspected of sheltering more than 100 Uzbek, Chechen, Tajik, Afghan and Arab militants. Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has said he would kill Abdullah Mahsud if he could because of the damage his actions caused to Pakistan's close relations with China by kidnapping the Chinese engineers. |