US Senator Kerry warns Pakistan govt over spy agency

[sabra]

Source: AFP

(AFP)

15 December 2008

NEW DELHI - US Senator John Kerry visited India Monday and put fresh pressure on Pakistan over the Mumbai attacks, saying its powerful spy agency must be brought under control.

Ahead of talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Kerry said Pakistan’s Inter Services-Intelligence (ISI) must stop operating independently of the government and end its links with militant groups.

“We would like to see an ISI that is reforming and brought completely under civilian control,” Kerry told the Indian Express.

Kerry said the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, which India accuses of planning the Mumbai attacks, was set up by the ISI to fight Indian rule in Kashmir.

“They formed it and they know they formed it. But they didn’t know that the LeT would graduate into an enterprise of its own,” Kerry said, adding the ISI was not linked to Mumbai attacks “unless at some lower level”.

Read more: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/international/2008/December/international_December959.xml§ion=international

[CheCheCheCheYerBooty]

1. I really admire John Kerry

It would be great if President Obama could find a place for him serving in a national security capacity.

[globalvillage]

4. He's Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

That's an incredibly powerful post, and a great position for Sen. Kerry.

Welcome to DU.

[cosmicone]

2. Kerry only said what is well-known around the world

Pakistan's spy agency needs to be dismantled and its army needs to be severely cut in order to make the world a safer place.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. We resemble that remark. nt

[karynnj]

5. Find me another American leader who has so clearly made this point

John Mccain while in India - instead spoke of the similarity to 911 and pretty much said that India might retaliate.