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Canada’s former ambassador to Afghanistan says Pakistan is a state sponsor of terrorism

Apr 3, 2014 9:02 am By Robert Spencer

Chris AlexanderAlexander is right, of course. It has been obvious for years that the Pakistanis have been aiding the same jihadists that the U.S. government has been giving them billions of dollars to fight. The New York Times reported on that at length back in 2008. And recently we learned that Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the head of the ISI, the Pakistani government’s spy service, knew the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, and apparently so did many other top officials in the Pakistani government. Those who are surprised by what Chris Alexander says probably also think that Islam is a Religion of Peace that has been hijacked by a Tiny Minority of Extremists.

We need some politicians like Chris Alexander in the U.S., instead of the ones we have, who keep insisting that Pakistan is our reliable friend and ally.

“Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism, Chris Alexander says,” by Kathleen Harris for CBC News, April 1 (thanks to Alex):

Canada and its allies must take a united front against Pakistan because it is a state sponsor of terrorism that threatens world security, says Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander.

Alexander, a former ambassador to Afghanistan, said the fight against the Taliban and groups like al-Qaeda will never be won in Afghanistan alone because it is a “cross-border conflict” supported by the Pakistan government.

Speaking on a special edition of CBC’s Power & Politics about Canada’s legacy in Afghanistan, Alexander said the world has only caught up with that reality in recent years, despite long-standing warnings from Afghanistan that Pakistan is a big part of the problem.

“This is state sponsorship of terrorism. It’s covert. It’s been denied. Not even Western analysts agree that it’s happening on the scale we know it to be happening,” he told host Evan Solomon.

Alexander, who authored the book The Long Way Back: Afghanistan’s Quest for Peace, called for continued support for Afghans who are fighting against the Taliban and for security and democracy as Canada and other countries wrap up prolonged military missions. But he also urged allies to confront Pakistan.

“We need to have a united front in dealing with Pakistan. The civilian government there doesn’t control military policy, strategic policy.… the army and the intelligence service do,” he said.” And they have denied the obvious, postponed this reckoning for years with so many terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda, that are doing so much harm around the world, still based in that country, this should be a priority for everyone.”

Alexander said the international community must address the Pakistan situation urgently because it’s “all connected” with other trouble spots — linked to Syria and Iraq because so many militants and jihadis are going there, and also linked to foreign policy on Russia.

‘Haven for terrorists’

Pakistan’s tribal region along the border of Afghanistan has long been labelled a “haven for terrorists.” But Alexander said even people within Pakistan aren’t aware of the degree of official involvement. He cited a recent New York Times article (censored in Pakistan) that focused on Pakistan’s relationship with al-Qaeda and its knowledge of Osama bin Laden hiding within its borders.

“The civilian government will say we don’t control it, it happens behind closed doors in places run by the army, run by the ISI (Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence). The Pakistani population doesn’t know this is happening. But it has to be said. You can not, they have not, trained, financed, equipped the Taliban on this scale without the institutional involvement with these groups. And they are negotiating with the Taliban — trying to lie down with the lion inside Pakistan in spite of all the loss of life inside Pakistan. This has got to change.”

Former Canadian diplomat David Mulroney, who served as deputy minister in charge of the Afghanistan Task Force overseeing co-ordination of Canada’s engagement in Afghanistan, said that if Alexander’s remarks represent the government’s official position, they must be followed up with “real measures” and a “much tougher stance” against Pakistan.

“Tomorrow can’t be business as usual for our High Commission in Islamabad. We can’t have the same kind of co-operation with Pakistan,” he said. “And we have to make very certain that players like the Canadian Forces and our security establishment aren’t having one set of conversations with the Pakistanis while our diplomats are having another. We have to get really serious.”

Mulroney, distinguished senior fellow at the Munk School’s Canada Centre for Global Security Studies, said Canada should engage in talks with Washington, where the “real levers” are.

Roland Paris, university research chair in International Security and Governance at the University of Ottawa, agreed that Alexander’s statement has significant implications for foreign policy.

“If this is Canadian government policy, that has implications for what we are doing. And if it’s Canadian government policy, the actions need to be brought into line with that policy. If it isn’t Canadian government policy, then minister Alexander should reconsider those words,” he said.

CBC News asked Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s office if this represents Canada’s official government position, but the query was referred back to Alexander’s office.

His press secretary Alexis Pavlich said Alexander’s views are informed by his years working in the region and writing his book. He was repeating his view that there is support for extremism from “elements of the Pakistani state,” in response to questions asking his “personal opinion” on Afghan-Pakistan affairs.

“It is not just that these terrorist groups continue to operate from Pakistani territory: they also enjoy official, albeit covert, sanction and support from some within Pakistan’s state apparatus,” Pavlich said. “Terrorist attacks underscore the need for swift and determined action by the Government of Pakistan against terrorist groups that prey on innocents in Pakistan.”

Canada will continue to work with “the people of Pakistan” and allies to help the country address the challenges it faces, Pavlich added.

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Filed Under: Canada, Pakistan, Pakistan's double game Tagged With: featured


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Comments

  1. Buraq says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 9:51 am

    Y’know, I’ve come to like Canada more and more recently. Must be the clear, cold air that makes them see things with such a sharp perspective.

    • Stephen Poole says

      Apr 3, 2014 at 3:20 pm

      … Never Ever forget Buraq that Windsor Ontario Canada is direcyly !! south of Detroit Michigan United States of America … Just sayin’ !! … SP OX …

      • Stephen Poole says

        Apr 3, 2014 at 3:22 pm

        … Correction : directly … OX …

    • Defcon 4 says

      Apr 4, 2014 at 11:19 am

      Tell that to:

      1. Ezra Levant (who has fought two civil lawsuits brought against him for defaming pisslam.
      2. Mark Steyn, prosecuted for human rights violations for criticising pisslam
      3. the rabbi who was strong-armed into dis-inviting Pamela Geller to speak at his synagogue by a muslo-nazi police officer

      Mark Steyn now resides in the US.

  2. Truth says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 10:21 am

    Good to see some Canadians waking up to the Muslim evil in the world. Hope Canadians realize that if the USA ever is conquered by Muslims, Canada is next…guaranteed.

    • Mulakush says

      Apr 4, 2014 at 1:04 pm

      You are wrong. Canada will be Islamized before USA. Come over to the Greater Toronto Area and witness for yourself. In Mississauga, have our Begampura – where Muslims park their second, third and fourth wives while NOT living in Canada and working in the oil sheikhdoms. Each woman, suitably clad in black from head to toe, typically has four or more children. We have had our uprising and plots to kill our duly elected Prime Minister and other officials. We have also had our local women attacked. There have been muslim girls killed by their parents for falling in love or wedding non-muslims. Any non-muslim woman marrying a muslim is forced to convert sooner or later and threatened with death if she wants to leave. And we have our local politicians who are scared to death of opposing such practices.

      My bet: Canada first, USA next.

  3. fair_dinkum says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 10:30 am

    fantastic.

    i hope these are 1st cracks appearing

  4. Don says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 10:42 am

    We are all in this together. If one falls, we all will fall.

    Churches and our entire education/political system need to wake-up.
    We need to teach our adults and youth about Islam…and I mean the underbelly and internals of Islam. Not just superficially, but an in-depth exposé.
    Only when most of our population understand what could be in-store for them and their offspring, will our societies be strong and stable.
    At this point we are OK, but my concern is for the next 100 years.
    Proper education is key.

    • citycat says

      Apr 4, 2014 at 3:21 pm

      We are all in this together, and we have to blaspheme against differences that hinder cooperation.

      It’s on top already, more time is to the advantage of YKW.

  5. Demetrius Minneapolis says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 10:49 am

    Prime Minister Harper has surprised me with his visible and strong pro-Israeli stand and calling a spade a spade when need be. I like the Tories to begin with, but the easy way out for him and most others, would have let it all slide by without much of a comment. That’s the SOP for most western “leaders”.

    He and his ministers have decided to take the moral stand for Israel and defending against islamic terrorism more than any other nation in the west for the past few years and am proud of his government for doing so.

    But G-d help us all if the Liberals win and that jackhammer Trudeau was to become PM. After seeing Obama win a re-election in ’12, nothing will surprise me anymore.

    • Jill says

      Apr 5, 2014 at 11:26 am

      oh boy-you said it! if that self centered ‘lulu’ gets in there will be such a mosque building fever across this country so fast (paid for with our tax dollars too!) it’ll make us all cry-he’ll open up those boarders and let every terrorist into the country in the name of ‘humanity’, ‘tolerance’, charity’ etc etc-muslims already refer to Liberals as the most ‘compassionate’ party in Canada-compassionate, to whom??. I don’t agree with all that Harper has done-but, I do believe he’s better equipped to deal with the Putin/nth pole issue-and he’s been tightening up our immigration laws and has deported many ‘Islam extremeists’..this is what we need right now-we do not need this ego based idot!

  6. mariam rove says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    To RS: you are correct that we need more people like him here in the states. M

  7. Salah says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    God bless Harper.

  8. Stephen Poole says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 2:55 pm

    … Canadians are not that !! smart Salah, MR, et al … … And, I are one !! … … We spent 10+ years in Afghanistan doing what ?? … Expending our lives, wasting our materiel, & burnin’ our diesel fuel ?? … No goal was achieved, not one that I can see anyway … Maybe ‘cept for supportin’ our Allies … … Our PM does not mince his words (… “Do I strike you as the kinda guy who’s Ever smoked pot ??” … That was just hilarious !! …), nor abandon his (… world …) Allies … … If Trudeau Ever becomes PM of Canada, I will eat a piece of camel dung … Just sayin, … The political trend in Canadastan right (… pun intended …) is towards the Right … Maybe one day, “Liberal” in this country will have the same derogatory connotation as it does in the United States Right/Left now … Just prayin’ … … Anyway, take care folks … SP’s Pol-Science 101 OX …

  9. Kepha says

    Apr 3, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    My guess is that Chris Alexander is recently retired from Canada’s diplomatic service, and is now free to speak his mind.

    This being said, I’m sure he’s right.

    Makes me proud to be a North American!

  10. Joe says

    Apr 4, 2014 at 5:19 am

    Have a look at these comparative charts (taken from data at TROP).

    Pakistan is quite simply, a terrorist state. Pakistan’s neighbour (India) suffers almost 3x more murders through islamic terrorism than Israel does. Yet the western media always report as if the Israelis are the cause of the muslim terrorism they suffer.

    Looking at the muslim terrorism in Pakistan and India, shows that the attacks on Israel are because of islam, not because of Israel.

    • Joe says

      Apr 4, 2014 at 5:20 am

      Forgot the link:
      http://4freedoms.com/page/pakistan-failed-state

  11. Defcon 4 says

    Apr 4, 2014 at 11:22 am

    This is news? Don’t you think the non-muslims in Kashmir haven’t sussed this out for themselves? I believe India already figured this out when they traced the handlers for the Mumbai terrorist attack back to Pakistain’s ISI, or perhaps when apartment buildings were blown up wholesale in India.

  12. A.D. Kendall says

    Apr 5, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    Yes, and that’s why sanctions should be levied against Pakistan.

    • dumbledoresarmy says

      Apr 6, 2014 at 11:33 pm

      And a sports boycott.

      Specifically, a *cricket* boycott.

      All countries that currently permit Pakistan to play cricket on their soil, or who still visit Pakistan to play cricket, should immediately – and permanently – cease, and when they do, cite (as their reason for so doing) Pakistan’s state sponsorship of jihad terror raids and its thoroughly-islamic gross human rights abuses perpetrated against non-Muslim minorities (Christians, Hindus, Sikhs).

      The national cricket organisations in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa and the West Indies should all tell Pakistan point blank: we are, henceforward, going to *shun* you. You will not be able to send your teams to our countries to play, from now on, and *we* will never, never, never go to yours.

      I don’t know anything at all about cricket, much, so I don’t know how to go about campaigning for a multi-national infidel-nation cricket boycott of Pakistan, but it surely ought to be possible for those among my fellow Commonwealth-country jihadwatchers who *do* play and/ or follow the cricket.

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