US concern for terrorism and security in South Asia: a tricky tread?

South Asia Analysis Group

Paper no. 238

04. 05. 2001

US concern for terrorism and security in South Asia: a tricky tread?

by Rajesh Kumar Mishra

Recently conducted assessment of the trends of international terrorism during the year 2000 reflects nothing but American administration’s pathological examination into the subject. As far as South Asian volatility, that has long been perpetuated by Pakistani misadventures, is concerned, the latest US’s diagnosis of the subject might be the test of nerves for both the US and the South Asian countries in the upcoming post cold war international realities. The change in perceptions and attitudes are inexorable in any environment. Such is the slight change in American perception too. Now onwards, the attacks against security forces are also condemnable in a similar way as to what were considered earlier as the attacks against the civilians. But only refurbishing the concepts would serve no good unless it is followed by the prescriptive pragmatic response.

It is worth speculating that, despite clearly indicting Pakistan for its continuous encouragement and support to terrorist groups operating on and from its soil and for causing insecurity to the South Asian region, especially affecting India, the US is yet to put the tag of terrorist state for Pakistan. The official explanation on this that Pakistan has been cooperating with Washington on a number of terrorism cases, seems inexplicable and insufficient. Also, it is noticeable that despite having so many reports against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Washington decided not to designate it as a terrorist organisation like Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM). World community is still to be convinced on it that to what extent Pakistan has been successfully implementing its commitment to respect UN security council resolution 1333 targeting against Taliban.

Reflecting on the concern for the Patterns of Global Terrorism, a report released by the office of the Coordinator for Counter-terrorism in April 2001, the US department of states has audaciously slammed Pakistan for abetment to international terrorism. With regard to the US’ regional interest, the report acknowledged that South Asia remained a focal point for terrorism directed against the United States, further confirming the trend of terrorism shifting from the Middle East to South Asia.

The Americans viewed the security problems in this region mainly associated with various insurgencies, particularly in Kashmir in India. Massacres of civilians in Kashmir were attributed to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and other militant groups. The report depicted that India faced continued violence associated with several separatist movements based in the northeast of the country.

The report further enumerated that in South Asia, the United States had been increasingly concerned about reports of Pakistani support to terrorist groups and elements active in Kashmir, as well as Pakistani support, especially military support, to the Taliban, which continues to harbor terrorist groups, including al-Qaida, the Egyptian Islamic Jihad, al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

The US’ state department blamed Pakistan's military regime for its policy to continue support of the Kashmir insurgency as had been carried by previous Pakistani governments. Also, it is believed that Kashmiri militant groups continued to operate in Pakistan, raising funds and recruiting new cadres. Taking into account the several groups responsible for attacks against civilians in Kashmir the state department named Lashkar-e-Toiba as the largest of these groups carrying militant activities in the region.

As far as the LeT is concerned, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, head of the political wing of Lashkar-e-Toiba in various Taiba Bulletins has openly defied the United Nations Organization and the Security Council. LeT accused these agencies of defending the Jews and Christian interests. LeT’s political philosophy believes that, today, Mujahideen from all directions are knocking at the portals of Europe, and the Muslims of Europe are also teeming with Jihadic passions which would strike an end to the western civilization. Saeed advocates for the Islamic countries to strive for the establishment of a Muslim Commonwealth by leaving the membership of UNO and considers that America and India are the greatest terrorists today.

In pursuit of its objectives, Pakistan follows two pronged ominous approaches. First, by providing organisational bases for militant outfits and allowing them to operate from there, Islamabad maintains its nuisance value in the international system. Secondly, its act of laundering money from drug trafficking and mercenary activities to meet up the excessive demands for conventional and non-conventional weaponry attracts the arms exporting countries unmindful of the source of income.

As a matter of fact, under the US law, the department of state is needed to provide Congress with its assessment of foreign countries where significant terrorist activities occur and provides also a list of states wherein the country provides support for such terrorist activities. But, Congress remains reluctant to take action till it is convinced that such terrorist acts supported by the state must adversely affect US nationals and the security interests of the US. Overall, the US government follows laws for certain criteria under the Anti-terrorism and Death Penalty Act, and, Immigration and Nationality Act to declare a terrorist state and to designate a terrorist organisation respectively.

Not only the state department but also the American Intelligence at several occasions in past have had enough evidence against Pakistan for state-sponsored terrorism, but failed to declare Pakistan a terrorist state. During the cold war period while using Pakistan as a frontline state, the Americans had to turn a blind eye towards Pakistan's misdeeds. During the course, in the process, the terrorism friendly regimes of Pakistan had also been substantially bargaining with the US. Even, in the post cold war phase, US needs Pakistan to pursue the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden, the leader of the International Islamic Front for Jehad against US and Israel. Also, Pakistan is considered significant as a means of protecting American interests in Central Asian and the Middle East regions. Probably, for these reasons, despite having overwhelming evidence with the American intelligence and administration, the US is hesitating to declare Pakistan a terrorist state. However, due to the upcoming changes in international matrix and regional configurations, US should give a fresh look at Pakistan’s support to the acts of destruction in India by the organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Hizbul Muzahideen.

The post cold war phase has created new possibilities. In the upcoming changes in international matrix and regional configurations US should give a fresh look at the Pakistan's support to unlawful acts in India by the organisations like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Muzahideen. Sheer raising concern for the south Asian region would not be enough. The US has to act and sooner the better. Only then, some judicious conclusion could be realised to bring long term peace and security in the region. After all, Pakistan must refrain from anti-peace activities, primarily against India, that have international ramifications. In other words, tangibly or intangibly, it would also affect US nationals and the American national interest in the region.

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