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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-9-2002_pg1_2 The Daily Times (Pakistan) September 30, 2002 �US forces in Karachi not leaving� by Shahid Husain -The alliance of uniformed military units engaged in the anti-terror war in Afghanistan and in the region bordering Pakistan are largely based near key Afghan cities and in some neighbouring Central Asian countries. I believe it is unlikely in the near-term that US law enforcement personnel based in Karachi will be deployed anywhere else in region. -There are no definite figures on the total number of US troops operating in the South Asia and Central Asia region....US military personnel do indeed travel through countries bordering Afghanistan � mostly Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. -President George Bush has pledged his support of a gas pipeline from Central Asia to Pakistan through Afghanistan. However, I think Bush�s plan can be achieved only when stability is brought to Afghanistan. And this, unfortunately, may take some time. KARACHI: A US defence expert has said it is unlikely in the near term that US personnel based at Karachi will be deployed elsewhere. Tim Kennedy, a defence specialist and a frequent consultant to the Pentagon, who was in Karachi where he attended IDEAS 2002 defence exhibition recently, spoke to Daily Times on various issues. The following are excerpts from his interview: DT: US forces are tracking down Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in Pakistan�s mountainous border with Pakistan. Are there possibilities that the US will deploy its forces in Karachi from where Al Qaeda leader Ramzi al-Shaiba has been arrested recently? TK: The capture of Ramzi al-Shaiba in mid-September in Karachi was a joint law-enforcement effort, involving the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other police agencies. The alliance of uniformed military units engaged in the anti-terror war in Afghanistan and in the region bordering Pakistan are largely based near key Afghan cities and in some neighbouring Central Asian countries. I believe it is unlikely in the near-term that US law enforcement personnel based in Karachi will be deployed anywhere else in region. DT: How many US troops have been deployed in Pakistan so far and how long are they likely to stay here? TK: There are no definite figures on the total number of US troops operating in the South Asia and Central Asia region. Officially, there are just a handful of US military personnel in Pakistan, mostly serving as defense liaison officers in the American embassy in Islamabad and US consulates. Additionally, there may be a few other US military personnel stationed in Pakistan taking part in education and exchange programs. With these programs, for every US military officer serving in Pakistan, there is usually a counterpart Pakistani military officer serving in the United States. From time to time, US military personnel do indeed travel through countries bordering Afghanistan � mostly Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan. But it is probably inappropriate to count these transitioning troops as being �deployed� in any given country. DT: Do you agree that through supporting a military regime, the US is undermining the fragile democratic movement in Pakistan? TK: Whether Pakistan�s movement toward democracy is fragile or stable is, of course, open to debate. What is certain is that the Pakistani people will soon have a chance to freely cast their vote on whether to sustain their current national leadership. By anyone�s definition, the upcoming election is a positive step that should be applauded. DT: In view of fast depleting gas resources, Pakistan is reportedly eager to have access to natural gas in Central Asia.... TK: According to sources here in Washington, Pakistan�s indigenous supply of natural gas will adequately serve the country�s needs for many years. For this reason, I don�t believe Pakistan currently has a desperate need for new sources of natural gas. However, most countries favor new forms of commerce, so I am certain Pakistan would welcome that opportunity to tranship natural gas. The 15 September 2002 issue of Dawn featured a front page story about this very subject: President George Bush has pledged his support of a gas pipeline from Central Asia to Pakistan through Afghanistan. However, I think Bush�s plan can be achieved only when stability is brought to Afghanistan. And this, unfortunately, may take some time. DT: Pakistan�s economy has suffered immensely due to its involvement in Afghan war. What is the reward from the US? TK: I don�t believe the US has ever gone out of its way to sacrifice the stability of an ally�s economy in return for their support of an American military action. Since September 11, international support of allied action in Afghanistan has come in many forms: some of this support has been tangible (Britain, Canada and others have deployed troops and equipment to Afghanistan); some of this support has been intangible (countries like Syria, Iran, Libya, and Sudan have privately offered the West important intelligence information). From the beginning, Pakistan has stated very clearly that its support of the war in Afghanistan will be limited. But even this limited support has convinced Western countries to completely lift trade sanctions. DISCLAIMER: Mr Kennedy said the views expressed in this interview did not reflect the official policy or position of the US government or its agencies __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? 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