Musharraf is hope against terror: IISS

LONDON—The International Institute for Strategic Studies on Tuesday released the Military Balance report for 2008 and cited President Pervez Musharraf as Pakistan’s main hope against war on terror and extremism. Releasing the report, Dr.John Chipman, Director-General, IISS, said the internal stability of Pakistan is a major international security issue and although Musharraf has relinquished direct command of the Army, the military influence on the body politic and on civil affairs remains strong.
“The political turmoil in Pakistan presents difficult options for those democratic countries that have an interest in that country’s stability and in combating terrorism in Afghanistan,” he said. Dr.Chipman noted that on the other hand, the appointment of the successor of the assassinated former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has highlighted the feudal and personality-driven nature of her party while none of the other parties offers grounds for optimism that they will collectively be capable of either providing strong leadership or of furthering the cause of democracy.
He said the internal stability of Pakistan is a major international security issue.” The quality of its governance and the political steps needed to improve it is therefore a subject on which outsiders are bound to intervene diplomatically.” Nigel Inkster, Director for Transnational Threats and Political Risk, responding to question said strong evidence has emerged that Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud was behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and has also been responsible for despatching suicide bombers to UK and Spain.
He observed that Pakistan neo Taliban has assumed a significant role and could be tackled through counter-insurgency by Pakistan Army. Inkster said the occupation of FATA has never been an option and the militancy in those areas could best be controlled through a judicious mix of negotiations and limited military operations.
On Afghanistan, Dr.Chipman said President Hamid Karzai lacks the authority to govern in all areas.” Corruption is rife at various levels of government and there is a lack of institutional capacity. He has sought an accommodation with moderate Taliban as recognition of the fact that they have some political constituency.”
But the IISS Director-General also observed that Karzai has been frustrated by other ‘deals’ brokered by international allies. —APP