Rohrabacher on Afridi verdict: ‘Pakistan sees itself at war with US’

US Congre­ssman Dana Rohrab­acher says Pakist­an remain­s terror­ist state. Taliba­n only tip of spear, Pakist­an real enemy.

Published: May 23, 2012

Rohrabacher says US must stop refusing entry to people just to please ISI, Pakistan. PHOTO: AGENCIES/FILE

WASHINGTON: US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher said that Dr Shakil Afridi’s prison sentence is “decisive proof that Pakistan sees itself as being at war” with the US.
In a press statement, Republican Rep. Rohrbacher said, “there is no shared interest against Islamic terrorism. On 9/11, Pakistan was coordinating the efforts of the Taliban who were in league with Osama bin Laden. In 2012, Pakistan is still working very closely with the Taliban, whose leader Mullah Omar was plotting with Bin Laden right up until he was killed, according to documents taken from Bin Laden’s Pakistan home. Pakistan was and remains a terrorist state.”
Rep. Rohrabacher, who is also the chairman for the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, had earlier this year introduced two bills calling for Afridi to be given US citizenship, and that he be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
The press release said that the US congressman was “dismayed” that the bill had not been brought to the House floor for a vote. “Dr Afridi came through for the American people, now it is our time to come through for him.”
“Advocates of aid argue we should draw a distinction between the civilian government and the military-intelligence cabal who are supporting terrorist groups that murder Americans, but President [Asif Ali] Zardari’s behavior at the Nato summit in Chicago indicates that he is either in league with the military or under their domination. Any money that goes to Islamabad will continue to end up in the pockets of people actively and deadly hostile to America.
“Secretary Clinton will have to do more than voice protests over the Afridi case. Both the Departments of State and Defense need to take punitive actions against Pakistan. Carrots are not enough when dealing with an adversary. Sticks are needed to prove we are serious. Cutting off aid to the regime while providing support to groups like the Balochi people who are oppressed by Islamabad will send a message that it doesn’t pay to confront America,” said Rep. Rohrabacher.
“Pakistan was invited to the Nato summit to foster cooperation, but no cooperation was evident. Pakistan is still keeping supply lines to Nato forces in Afghanistan blocked. As Nato withdraws, Pakistan sees its chance to increase its use of terrorist groups as its vanguard for taking over Afghanistan and spreading radical Islam throughout the region. We need to enlist Russia and India to support anti-Pakistan forces in Afghanistan such as the Northern Alliance. The Taliban is only the tip of the spear, the real enemy is Pakistan,” he added.
Rep. Rohrabacher’s amendment to the NDAA proposing all aid be cut off to Pakistan was defeated last week in a vote on the House floor.