WASHINGTON: The Central Investigation Agency (CIA) has established its spy network in Pakistan and needs no assistance from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to carry out drone strikes in the tribal areas, a US newspaper quoted an official as saying.
According to the US official, CIA has established its spy network in the tribal areas in the last two years.
Demands by some Pakistani officials for sharp cuts in drone attacks are unacceptable, the officials said, as are suggestions the US return to its Bush-era policy, limiting the strikes to “high-value” militant targets. “Panetta has an obligation to protect the American people and he isn’t going to call an end to any operations that support that objective,” a US official said.
A summit of spymasters this week eased tensions but failed to resolve issues over US drones and espionage that have imperiled the vital relationship between the CIA and ISI, a US official said.
The CIA is willing to expand consultations with Pakistan over drone operations, US officials said after the meeting between CIA Director, Leon Panetta, and ISI chief, Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
US officials also worry that Islamabad has been slowing routine rotations of American personnel, including spies, diplomats and military trainers, which could become a serious hindrance to routine as well as secret US activities in the region.
Despite public protestations by Islamabad about drone strikes, Pakistan hopes the United States will move ahead with long-stalled plans to supply a fleet of the remotely piloted aircraft to Pakistan, said a source familiar with Pakistan’s wish list. - INP
Online adds: According to the US newspaper, US authorities told Pakistan that drone strikes would not be stopped and Pakistan would not be given an explanation for each attack.
According to the US official, CIA has established its spy network in the tribal areas in the last two years.
Demands by some Pakistani officials for sharp cuts in drone attacks are unacceptable, the officials said, as are suggestions the US return to its Bush-era policy, limiting the strikes to “high-value” militant targets. “Panetta has an obligation to protect the American people and he isn’t going to call an end to any operations that support that objective,” a US official said.
A summit of spymasters this week eased tensions but failed to resolve issues over US drones and espionage that have imperiled the vital relationship between the CIA and ISI, a US official said.
The CIA is willing to expand consultations with Pakistan over drone operations, US officials said after the meeting between CIA Director, Leon Panetta, and ISI chief, Lieutenant General Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
US officials also worry that Islamabad has been slowing routine rotations of American personnel, including spies, diplomats and military trainers, which could become a serious hindrance to routine as well as secret US activities in the region.
Despite public protestations by Islamabad about drone strikes, Pakistan hopes the United States will move ahead with long-stalled plans to supply a fleet of the remotely piloted aircraft to Pakistan, said a source familiar with Pakistan’s wish list. - INP
Online adds: According to the US newspaper, US authorities told Pakistan that drone strikes would not be stopped and Pakistan would not be given an explanation for each attack.
