ISI chief meets CIA head and leaves Washington
The News, April 12, 2011
WASHINGTON: Pakistan's ISI chief Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha held an important meeting with the CIA chief on Monday but apparently cut short his visit and was leaving the US capital on Monday night.
A Pakistan Embassy official confirmed that Gen Pasha was scheduled to leave Monday night although earlier reports had indicated he may be staying in Washington for three days and leave on April 13.
There was no official word from the Pakistani side but the New York Times quoted a CIA spokesman, George Little, saying that the two spy chiefs had held "productive" meetings and that the relationship between the two services "remains on solid footing."
Political analysts were, however, a little surprised that Gen Pasha, who had arrived on Sunday evening, was leaving the US capital in just about 24 hours. There was no word of his meetings, if any, with other senior US leaders, including the Defence Secretary.
"The United States and Pakistan share a wide range of mutual interests," the CIA spokesman said, "and today's exchange emphasized the need to continue to work closely together, including on our common fight against terrorist networks that threaten both countries."
The newspaper said the meetings were part of an effort to repair the already tentative and distrustful relations between the spy agencies that plunged to a new low as a result of the Davis episode, which further exposed where Pakistani and American interests diverge as the endgame in Afghanistan draws closer.
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Related:
Official: 'Frank discussion' between US, Pakistan intelligence chiefs - CNN
U.S.-Pakistan intelligence operations frozen since January - Reuters
Spy Chief’s Tenure Is Extended in Pakistan - NYT
Pakistan threatens to impose new restrictions on CIA activities - Washington Post
Pakistan Tells U.S. It Must Sharply Cut C.I.A. Activities - NYT
UPDATE:
Relationship with ISI on solid footing: CIA - DAWN
War Without Footprint - Slate
U.S. Missiles Strike in Northern Pakistan as Relations Sour Over CIA Role - Bloomberg
3 comments:
What do you make of the shortening of the visit? It seems quite significance? Do you think relations between the two agencies are on the rocks?
Some brief turbulence is expected but it will be back to normal within few weeks.
No it is not expected to normalize that soon..,.
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