US is fighting what US created - Transcript of interview with Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates with Cynthia McFadden

I find it amusing how media, both in Pakistan and India is trying to find their own meaning from the interview with the US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when they both sat down with ABC News' Cynthia McFadden on a flight to Melbourne, Australia. Pakistanis are as usual jumping up and down with joy thar Mrs Clinton has once again owned up to creating the menace of Usama Bin Laden and then leaving Pakistan behind to nurture him - visualising Taliban being a product of a broken marriage between the Western father and Eastern mother makes me giggle. Indian media, no doubt is on the hunt for a smoking gun in Pakistani hands not realising that in this sorry eastern tale both countries have been and are behaving like two unruly characters from a western movie about to shoot at eachother dead.

I believe in trying to go to the source material to find out what was being said. And here are the exerpts from the interview. Any one interested in the full conversation can read it at the ABC News site.

McFADDEN: There are so many Americans who feel this is a hopeless cause and that we're spending our treasure both in terms of the money of this nation, which is you know one could argue sorely needed at home right now, and the treasure of our youth . . .

CLINTON: . . . Well to the . . .

McFADDEN: . . . in a hopeless proposition.

CLINTON: Well I know that some have that an opinion, but certainly what we're seeing on the ground is that progress is being made. Is it as fast as any of us want? Of course not. It's a very difficult struggle against the Taliban. But we are making progress. And I think that the sacrifice that we're making this very painful for all of us who are involved in our government. But we know what the downside is of walking away from an area that can once again become a launching pad for attacks against us and our friends and allies around the world.

McFADDEN: So isn't the real problem Pakistan?

CLINTON: Well Pakistan has a a major responsibility, and they need to be working with us, as they are, to root out the Taliban and Al-Qaida. I think in the last 20 months there has been a considerable change in their strategic calculation about what is in their own best interest.

McFADDEN: In what way?

CLINTON: Well, I know when I became Secretary of State, when I was first testifying, the government of Pakistan had made a kind of peace deal with the Pakistani Taliban in an area called Swat. And they were ceding territory in return for basically an understanding that the Taliban would leave everybody else alone. And of course they wouldn't, because they are aggressive in their desire to attack and undermine the Pakistani government as well as to support the activities of the Taliban in Afghanistan. That has changed. The Pakistanis have lost far more military um men and civilians than any of us have in their fight against the Taliban.

McFADDEN: But isn't it a strange, open, duplicitous, bizarre relationship? You go to Congress and ask for $2 billion for the Pakistanis, and we know that in part they're supporting the Al-Qaida.

CLINTON: Well they're not support Al-Qaida. They are...

McFADDEN: . . . They are certainly supporting the Taliban, and the Taliban is supporting Al-Qaida.

CLINTON: Well they have in the past hedged against both India and an unfriendly regime in Afghanistan by supporting groups that will be their proxies in trying to prevent either India or an unfriendly Afghan government from undermining their position. That is changing. Now I cannot sit here and tell you that it has changed, but that is changing. And again . . .

McFADDEN: . . . And if it doesn't change, would you recommend not giving the $2 billion next year?

CLINTON: Well, what we have done is through intensive consultations with both the civilian, the military and the intelligence leadership in Pakistan, you know, had very frank conversations about what we expect. But I think it is important to note that as they have made these adjustments in their own assessment of their national interests, they're paying a big price for it. It's not an easy calculation for them to make, but we are making progress.

We have a long way to go, and we have to -- we can't be impatient. We can't say, well, you know, the headlines are bad, we're going home. We cannot do that. Part of what we are fighting against, right now, the United States created. We created the Mujahideen force against the Soviet Union. We trained them, we equipped them, we funded them, including somebody named Osama Bin Laden. And then when we finally saw the end of the Soviet Army crossing back out of Afghanistan, we all breathed a sigh of relief and said, okay, fine, we're out of there. And it didn't work out so well for us.

GATES: This is a problem that we have with both Afghanistan and Pakistan. First of all I just note, Pakistanis now have 140,000 troops on on their north western border. They've withdrawn the equivalent of about six divisions from the Indian border and moved them, and they are attacking ah Taliban. They're attacking the Taliban, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, and but they are also attacking groups that, in safe havens, that are a problem for us.

But the other piece of this, just to pile onto what Secretary Clinton said, we face in both countries what they call a trust deficit, and it is because they believe we have walked away from them in the past, at the toughest moments of their history. You can't recreate that in a heartbeat. You can't recreate that in a year or two. They both worry that once we've solved the problem in Afghanistan, or if we don't solve it, that either way we will leave, and leave whatever remains in their hands to deal with. Now we're not leaving. We will drawn down our troops over a period of time, but we have every intention of of being active and aggressively involved in Afghanistan and also a long term relationship with Pakistan. But convincing them that we mean that and that we will deliver on that is something we've been working at. And I think we've made some headway, as Secretary Clinton said, but it's a work in progress.

McFADDEN: So not not to in any way underestimate the problem, but the whole problem of Al-Qaida is almost like a game of Whack-A-Mole. I mean, yes, great, Afghanistan. But when you look at Yemen which has, what, five or six times the number of Al-Qaida, why aren't we in Yemen? Why aren't we in Somalia?

GATES: First of all, I think frankly Hillary put it best in the hearing we did together. What what you have seen develop, first of all that border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan is is the epicenter of terrorism, because whether you're in Yemen or Somalia or in Asia or wherever else, they are getting encouragement, they are taking inspiration, and often they are taking guidance from Osama Bin Laden and Zawahiri and their minions who are telling these guys what kind of operations to plan, to keep their focus on the U.S. and so on.

Furthermore, they have created what Hillary calls the syndicate of terror, with it is not just Al-Qaida, it's the Taliban in Pakistan, it's the Taliban in Afghanistan, it's the Haqqani network, it's all these different groups. And a success for one becomes a success for all. So if we don't deal with that problem, then we are going to have a challenge of our own security. And the tentacles spread to a lot of different places, North Africa, Yemen, elsewhere.

Full transcript of Hillary Clinton and Robert Gates interview with Cynthia McFadden of ABC News is available here.

Multi-dimensional Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ): why there is still hope for Pakistan

The title is deceptive - This post is not about Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. This is about tens of young, innovative and passionate Pakistani youth whom I have been meeting over the last few months who give me hope, the reason and assurance to believe that despite hundreds of corrupt spineless "leaders" in all walks of life in Pakistan - there is still a future for my birth place. I have used Yousuf as an example of a passionate multidimensional representative of youth (yes! compared to me Yousuf belongs into "youth") who have the energy, the passion and the belief in future and are actually doing something that matters. Here is a summary of my three days with Yousuf Bashir Qureshi - and why I still have belief in future

YBQ: the Fashion Designer

I first met Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ) on 23 September 2010 at Nawab Restaurant in Manchester where we got together to have a look at the arrangements for the charity Fashion show being organised by International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH). Yousuf had travelled from Karachi Pakistan on a non-commercial venture to help a fellow Pakistani raise funds for his charity that aims to do something about improving women's health in Pakistan.

Yousuf's dress sense evokes different emotions among people of different backgrounds. His designs have deep roots in country life in Pakistan and unlike many he wears his creations. Only Yousuf can combine a Dhoti and Kurta with an military cap and Converse shoes and make it look fashionable and cool.

YBQ: the Charity worker

Second time I met Yousuf was a day later at the launch of International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH) and saw the other side of him - a passionate charity worker who was promoting his charity United Pakistan while running an auction to raise funds for another charity IFMCH passionately pleading for everyone to come together to raise funds for the flood victims in Pakistan. Video recordings of work done by United Pakistan made every eye full of tears, hearts full of pride and hands went into pockets to get their Zakat out.


In our third meeting I saw his passion for Charity that was evident from his demonstration of Life Straw - a water purifying product specially created for poor 3rd world countries and can help provide clean drinking water for families and individuals for flood affected areas in Pakistan. His audience were a group of university students and charity workers in Cheshire who wanted to be involved in doing something concrete for the flood victims in Pakistan. YBQ's belief in the product was evident from the fact that using Life Straw he drank water from a stinking fish bowl that has not been cleaned for over a week.

Then I heard him speak on the BBC Radio Manchester programme "Indus" passionately making a case for Pakistani youth and how they are the ones who hold future of this suffering country in their hands.


YBQ: the inspirational speaker

My last meeting with Yousuf was at the Manchester University where he was a guest speaker invited by Pakistani Students Society.


This what the Pakistani Students Society wrote about him

"NO BOUNDARIES" - Yousuf Bashir Qureshi

A talk to bridge the spiritual and scientific realm between one's brain and heart, how to prioritise the consistent conflicts between the two, and hence, how to become a better decision-maker in life.
...
From the man who revolutionised tradition, transcended the boundaries of fusing cultures, gave the values of heritage a fresh, new face - Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, one of the most versatile and talented men of his age from Pakistan. A food scientist, fashion designer, philanthropist and humanitarian, YBQ takes pride in being one of the rare few who use their potential and artistic skills to change the world around them, and is of the belief that through art and artists, we can actually build the soft boundaries that we hear politicians talk about globally.

Having graduated as a food scientist and having served on the faculties of FIDM, Los Angeles, FIT New York, and then in Pakistan at the prestigious Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi, YBQ hails from a long standing educational background. He has given a number talks at Universities, Colleges & Schools alike around the globe, and is especially reputed for his command on the topic given above.

Images and list of activities above were only a fraction of various other activities and events YBQ was involved in infusing passion about Pakistan. He was at pains to highlight that not everything is rotten in Pakistan and not every official functionary is corrupt and useless. Pakistan is country of over 170 million population and only a fraction of the population is responsible for the ills the nation suffers from. The biggest asset the country has is the growing size of youth who have not yet lost the desire to do good and bring change.

Fatwa Mafia asks faithfuls for Musharraf's death by beheading

Islamic Fatwa Mafia from Pakistan is back in action. This time a group of so called religious leaders have got together and issued a Fatwa for beheading of retired General Musharraf.

For readers who are not fully aware of the definition of a Fatwa: A fatwa is a religious opinion concerning Islamic law that is issued by a recognized religious authority in Islam. But since there is no hierarchical priesthood or anything of that sort (at least) in Sunni Islam, a fatwa is not necessarily "binding" on the faithful. In Sunni Islam any fatwā is non-binding, whereas in Shia Islam it could be considered by an individual as binding. The people who pronounce these rulings are supposed to be knowledgeable, and base their rulings in their knowledge and wisdom. They need to supply the evidence from Islamic sources for their opinions, and it is not uncommon for scholars to come to different conclusions regarding the same issue.

According to Media reports

A meeting of religious scholars and political leaders, headed by chief of the Jamhoori Watan Party Nawabzada Talal Bugti, was held at Quetta last Saturday. Religious scholars and politicians, including provincial Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Abdul Mateen Akhwanzada, JUI-N leader Maulana Abdul Qadir Loni, Maulana Noor Muhammad of JUI, Abdul Quddus Sasoli, Hashim Moosavi, Wilayat Hussain Jaffery and others attended the sitting.

Now, when a Fatwa is issued as Muslims, we look at the opinion, the reputation of the person giving it, the evidence given to support it, and then decide whether to follow it or not.

Speaking on the occasion, Nawabzada Talal Bugti announced $1.3 million as head money for Pervez Musharraf, saying that it is binding on all Muslims under the statement of religious scholars to behead him (Musharraf) as soon as possible.I have written in the past that there are legitimate legal grounds to take General Musharraf to court and hold him accountable for the crimes he committed during his reign. But this is the domain of Pakistani institutions of law and justice and not for political religious party leaders working with the families who have been aggrieved by Musharraf's actions when he was in power. No person or institution other than a court of law has the right to prosecute and determine punishment for Musharraf.

In his statement Talal Bugti suggested:

According to law, religion and culture, Pervez Musharraf should be sentenced to death, the statement said.

This statement describes one of the biggest problems Pakistani society faces right now. When you put Law, religion and culture in the same sentence it becomes a recipe for a disaster.

It only takes one fanatic to take the so called politically and revenge motivated Fatwa seriously. If there was ever a time for the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take a suo moto action, it is now. In my opinion all signatories of this fatwa should be brought to court for the crime of inciting murder. So should be Maulana Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid who has more blood on his hands from the Lal Masjid debacle than Musharraf himself. So should be any other street Mullah who issues a fatwa for killing another human being and takes on the role of Judge, Jury and Executioner when it suits their local political needs.

General Musharraf comes out of facebook to face real people

General Musharraf showed glimpse of a seasoned politician when he kept a smile and a brave face when activists of Hizb-ut-Tahrir tried to disrupt his speech at the launch of his political party in Manchester on 09 October 2010. Though Hizb activists unwittingly chanted slogans in favour of Khilafat (Islamic government) rather than anything against the budding politician himself - giving him the opportunity of being magnanimous and asking the bouncers (there were plenty of them) to be polite when throwing the culprits out. Hizb did better job at disrupting the proceedings than a few hundred Pakistan Muslim League (N) activists outside the venue.

So the General has finally come out of the Face book and is ready to face the real people in the real world. Unfortunately people running his Face book profile are doing a better job at getting him more fans (over 10,000 more joined since the launch of his party) than the people who were running his first forte in civilian public speaking in Manchester. If he is to do any better in the UK he must get some professional help. A political rally that right up to his arrival on stage gave the impression of a badly organised religious ceremony (Ghiarveen Shareef) does not bode well for a new entrant into politics. In his hey days he would have sacked the whole organising team if it was not for the clinical efficiency of megaphone wielding bouncers whose second job it was to blare slogans shamelessly stolen from the books of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba or Nawaz Sharif's party.

Once on stage the General did not do a bad job as an orator himself. In his own peculiar style he challenged every and any opponent - from the Bugti youngsters to Sharif elders. He had obviously done his homework regarding what the media has recently been criticising him for and attempted to answer all the headlines:

• He denied ever having knowledge of a girl call Afia Siddiqui but made it a point to mention that Afia's mother and sister were his great fans.
• He denied having knowledge that Nawab Akbar Bugti was about to be killed by an army platoon but did emphasize that Nawab Bugti was a very bad man and the world is better off without him
• He denied being responsible for deaths and desecration of Lal Masjid in Islamabad but did highlight that there were some very bad men (and no women) in the Lal Masjid who were making life miserable for Chinese prostitutes (sorry! Massage Parlour workers) in Islamabad and our Chinese friends were embarrassing the Pakistan government.
  
• He denied his own assertions to Der Speigel that Pakistan Government institutions were behind insurgency in Indian occupied Kashmir but did highlight that he had said that it was some other government in Pakistan that did so.

What I did not hear at the rally was a manifesto - a plan to pull Pakistan out of the abyss created by those who are leading Pakistan now courtesy the NRO gifted to them by General Musharraf himself - he is now, on record, sorry about that though.

There was a vocal opposition presence outside the Sheridan Suite with the usual effigies, shoe beating, name calling, and cracker firing antics.

And I must mention the six or so Caucasian MI6 hunks providing the ever needed security to the General. I strongly believe that our ex heads of state should get the level of security that is commensurate to their stature. I wonder after what happened to Benazir, General Musharraf has stopped trusting our own security services!!!

With a political party launch in Manchester of around 3000 people inside the hall the Pakistan Muslim League of General Musharraf has made a good start. One question he and his political team should ask everyone who appear to be supporting them is - "when was the last time you voted in an election in Pakistan?" I asked this question to a number of people who actively support General Musharraf and the answer was never. When asked how do you think that you can get General Musharraf elected back into the government their answer is "through back door - there definitely is a deal with the Americans". I believe that like any other ordinary Pakistani General Musharraf has a right to enter democratic politics. But, this is your biggest challenge Mr Musharraf - those supporting you don't appear to believe in democratic process or elections.

Yousuf Bashir Qureshi (YBQ) collection at the IFMCH Fashion show in Manchester 2010

View the photo library of Yousuf Bashir Qureshi collection from IFMCH Fashion show in Manchester 2010 24 Sep 2010 Top fashion designer from Pakistan Yousuf Bashir Quraishi (YBQ) visited Manchester to participate in a Charity Fashion Show organised by International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH)to raise funds to establish Health Units for victims of floods in Pakistan. YBQ wowed the residents of Manchester with his pleasant personality, down to earth attitude and some quirky dress sense. This album shows the design range presented by YBQ in Manchester. These photos were taken by a friend of IFMCH Shahzad Yousuf, a professional photographer. If anyone in the photographs need a high resolution or print quality image please feel free to contact him at shahzadyusuf@yahoo.com or through his website at www.photoramastudios.co.uk View Album Play slideshow

Maria B collection at the IFMCH Fashion show in Manchester 2010

View the photo library of Maria B collection from IFMCH Fashion show in Manchester 2010 Manchester, UK - 24 Sep 2010 Top fashion designer from Pakistan Maria B visited Manchester to participate in a Charity Fashion Show by International Foundation for Mother and Child Health (IFMCH) organised to raise funds for establish Health Units for victims of floods in Pakistan. Maria B wowed the residents of Manchester with her infectious smile and pleasant personality. This album shows the design range presented by Maria B in Manchester. These photos were taken by a friend of IFMCH Shahzad Yousuf, a professional photographer. If anyone in the photographs need a high resolution or print quality image please feel free to contact him at shahzadyusuf@yahoo.com or through his website at www.photoramastudios.co.uk View Album Play slideshow