First US-Pak-Afghan military intelligence centre opens
dailytimes.com.pk
March 30, 2008

* Centres to allow Pak, Afghan officials to use US intelligence-gathering resources
* Three centres to be established in each country

KHYBER PASS: Major General David Rodriguez, the commander of United States troops in Afghanistan, on Saturday described the opening of the first of six joint US-Pak-Afghan military intelligence centres along the Pak-Afghan border as “a giant step forward in co-operation, communication, and co-ordination”.

He was speaking to around 100 military personnel from the US, Afghanistan and Pakistan who had gathered at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a small border outpost.

“This facility represents our best opportunity to move forward in our common mission to rid this region of the scourge of terrorism,” Rodriguez said. “The border co-ordination centre is the cornerstone upon which future co-operative efforts will grow.”

The centres represent the next step in American efforts to encourage the South Asian neighbours to work together to combat the Taliban and Al Qaeda fighters who take refuge in the region.

US resources: The military centres — each of which is to be staffed by around 20 personnel from the three countries — are meant to let Afghan and Pakistani officials use US intelligence-gathering resources. The officers can watch live video feeds from US spy planes in the centres, giving them real-time information that can be relayed back to ground forces on both sides.s.

Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of harbouring Taliban militants, a charge Islamabad has denied. Pakistani officials have conceded, however, that fighters do cross into Afghanistan.

Insurgents have also increased their attacks into Afghanistan over the past year. However, Eastern Afghanistan, where the US military primarily operates, has seen a drop in violence in recent months.

Three centres: Three of the co-ordination centres, which cost around $3 million each, are to be built in Afghanistan and three in Pakistan, said US Brigadier General Joe Votel.

“The macro view is to disrupt insurgents from going back and forth, going into Afghanistan and back into Pakistan, too,” Votel said. “This is not going to instantly stop the infiltration problem, but it’s a good step forward.”

Lt General Muhammad Masood Alam, the top army commander in the NWFP, said the war on terror was of common interest to the whole world, but more so to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

“Terrorism can’t be fought alone. It has no borders, no laws,” Alam said. “It’s going to be a long effort. It can’t be done overnight.”

Afghan Defence Ministry operations chief Lt General Sher Muhammad Karimi described the opening of the co-ordination centre was a milestone.

“Pakistan and Afghanistan are brothers. No one can separate them,” he said. “This centre will give the opportunity to our young officers on both sides ... to share information and co-ordinate intelligence in proper time.” ap