Pakistan's ISI Chief Refuses To Meet Holbrooke, Mullen: Report

Richard Holbrooke (R), special U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, speaks during a news conference with Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Pakistani foreign ministry in Islamabad April 7, 2009. Pakistan and the United States must build trust as they confront Islamist militant violence, said senior officials on Tuesday who failed to resolve disagreement on U.S. drone aircraft strikes in Pakistan. REUTERS/Mian Khursheed (PAKISTAN POLITICS MILITARY)

From Times Of India:

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency chief on Tuesday refused to meet visiting US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke
and American military commander Admiral Mike Mullen in an apparent reaction to criticism of his organisation for its alleged links with militants.

ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha refused to meet Holbrooke and Mullen, who had sought a meeting, because of the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff's recent criticism of the spy agency, Dawn News channel quoted military sources as saying.

Read more ....

More News On U.S. - Pakistani Security And Intelligence Relations

Trust Is Issue, Pakistan Tells U.S. -- New York Times
Pak turns down US proposal for carrying out joint operations -- Press Trust of India
US, Pakistani Officials Highlight Need for Trust in Counterterrorism Cooperation -- Voice Of America
ISI chief Pasha snubs Holbrooke and Mullen -- The Hindu

My Comment: This refusal to meet with top American officials speaks volume of the uncomfortable situation that Pakistan's Intelligence Services now find themselves in.

There have been too many incidents in which U.S. and Afghan intelligence agencies have found links and direct contacts between officers in the ISI and Taliban extremists. For ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha to now sit down and explain why this is not the case .... I think he knows that this does not hold any water anymore. It is best to accuse the Americans of violating trust and committing unsanctioned drone attacks on Pakistani soil rather than discussing Pakistani support for these terrorists.

The consequences from this breakdown in communications and discussions will have serious consequences .... for both U.S. and Afghan forces in Afghanistan, and for International support of the Pakistan Government .... who are continually saying that they still have the situation under control (which they don't). The Indian Press who are covering this story extensively .... are seeing the storm clouds in the distance.