ISI rules out return of US mly trainers

ISLAMABAD - ISI Director General Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha during his one-day visit to the United States has conveyed to his CIA counterpart that Pakistan does not need military trainers for counter-terrorism operations.
Well-placed sources told TheNation on Saturday that General Pasha rejected the demand of CIA Acting Director Michael Morrel for resending a number of US military trainers whom Pakistan had sent back in the wake of US unilateral raid in Abbotabbad on May 2.
The sources said the ISI DG made it clear to the CIA chief that in future the visit of US military personnel to Pakistan would be subjected to the ISI clearance.
General Pasha also took serious exception of the allegations levelled against the functioning of ISI and its unabated bashing. Both the sides focused more on the way forward, they added.
The discussions held between General Pasha and the CIA acting director went very well as they agreed on a number of steps which would improve national security of the countries.
Meanwhile, DG ISPR Maj Gen Athar Abbas clarified the ISI DG had discussed with his CIA counterpart issues relating to intelligence, coordination, rather than the resumption of US military aid.
He said the DG had one-on-one meeting with Michael Morrel. All intelligence issues were discussed in a congenial environment to improve mutual understanding, he added
Agencies add: The ISI director general told the army chief that the US leadership has assured him that they would respect Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Defence sources said that ISI DG Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who called on the Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani after returning from America, took the COAS into confidence over his meeting with acting CIA chief Admiral Michael Morrell.
The DG ISI told the army chief that his visit would help reduce mistrust between Pakistan and the US, adding that he has been assured by the Americans that they would respect their ally’s sovereignty. The US, he said, also agreed to provide information with regard to US personnel coming to Pakistan and was mulling to restore suspended 800 million dollar aid of Pakistan.
The army chief expressed his satisfaction over results of DG ISI’s visit, the sources said. The army chief reiterated his stance that Pakistan would continue its cooperation with the US on basis of equality, keeping in view the country’s national interests.