CIA hunts for new head of state in Pakistan's army

LAHORE: The US sent head-of-state hunters from the Central Intelligence Agency to scour the Pakistani military apparatus to identify a suitable replacement for General Pervez Musharraf.

The extraordinary recruitment mission — reflecting the seriousness of purpose and urgency with which the Bush administration wants to oust its ‘most valuable ally’ — was disclosed recently by a well-placed diplomatic source.

The source said that some time last year, policymakers in Washington, DC, had begun to explore ways to establish a more democratic and civilian system in Pakistan. The plan was formulated despite Musharraf’s firm grip on the affairs of state and his record of serving American interests in the war on terrorism.

A team of CIA operatives was subsequently sent to the country to sort out pro-US army officers, one of whom could be considered Musharraf’s successor as the commander-in-chief. A vital skill required of the candidate was the capacity to enhance engagement with pro-democracy forces, which would eventually lead to the establishment of a civilian government.

The source said the alternative strategy was determined to be imperative in Washington, given the growing unrest in Pakistani civil society over the military regime, which, it is feared, is breeding radical Islamists. The US government had, till then, backed Musharraf; it reasoned that the general’s sway was keeping the radicals in the margins.

But later, the US revised its assessment and sent recruiters for army-camp placements. The efforts, however, were futile and Musharraf remained in control. Now, the campaign to cast out Musharraf has regained momentum because the Taliban are poised for a massive spring offensive, the sources said.

That the US has enhanced pressure on Musharraf is evident from two recent events.

On March 15, the Senate approved a bill linking Islamabad’s military assistance to its progress towards democracy. Then, a week later, Sean McCormack, state department spokesman, asserted that the US expects Musharraf to give up the army chief’s post by the end of this year.

The developments reinforce the view that Musharraf has clearly fallen out of favour with the American establishment.

The March 15 bill passed by the US Senate contains clauses pertaining to resolution of disputes with neighbours, support programmes related to education, governance, rule of law, and women rights. But the provisos that will sting Musharraf relate to democracy, which emphasise the organisation of free and fair elections in 2007.

Analysts watching the recent developments on the Pak-US front said Washington has orchestrated a good cop/bad cop routine to pin Musharraf. While Congress plays the bad cop, the Bush administration keeps up the emollient act.

It is being widely held that the military assistance bill passed by the Senate will ultimately be used against Pakistan to suspend military and economic assistance. The model being cited is the Pressler Amendment of the 1990s, which was clamped on Pakistan during the senior Bush’s rule.