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    September 29, 2011

Pakistan Parties to Discuss US Pressure on Haqqanis

   VOA News
   Men dance to Pakistan national songs as some of nearly 600 supporters
   of the religious political party Sunni Tehreek take part in
   anti-American demonstration in Karachi September 28, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   Men dance to Pakistan national songs as some of nearly 600 supporters
   of the religious political party Sunni Tehreek take part in
   anti-American demonstration in Karachi September 28, 2011.

   Leaders of Pakistan's rival political parties are meeting Thursday to
   discuss recent U.S. accusations of a link between Pakistan's government
   and an al-Qaida-linked militant group.
   The talks come as U.S. Secretary of States Hillary Clinton said the
   U.S. is conducting a final review on whether to designate the Haqqani
   network a terrorist organization.
   The meeting, organized by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani,
   will be attended by 58 leaders of political, religious and nationalist
   parties, as well as Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
   Last week, U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen, the outgoing Chairman of the Joint
   Chiefs of Staff, called the Haqqani Network a 'veritable arm' of
   Pakistan's military intelligence agency, the ISI. Pakistan has denied
   the claim.
   In testimony to a senate committee, Mullen blamed the militant group
   for attacks on U.S. targets in Afghanistan leading to fears that the
   U.S. would deploy troops to the border area where the militants are
   based.
   The White House on Wednesday refused to endorse Admiral Mullen's
   statements, instead stressing the importance of Pakistan's help in the
   fight against terrorism.
   White House spokesman Jay Carney said although the Mullen's comment is
   consistent with the Obama administration's position, he would put it
   differently.
   Strauss-Kahn says he has ruled out a run for the French presidency next
   year, calling his political future "uncertain."

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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