Clinton's life will be in danger in Pakistan -- US intelligence
UNITED NEWS OF INDIA

WASHINGTON, FEB 23: The US secret service fears President Bill Clinton's life would be in danger if he visits Pakistan next month because the nation's security service has been heavily infiltrated by anti-American militants, says the Washington Times, quoting a senior US official.

National security adviser Samuel R Berger, terrorism adviser Dick Clark and other top officials are to meet today at the White House to consider whether Clinton should include Pakistan in his visit to India and Bangladesh next month.

US officials also fear that information on procedures used to protect travelling presidents could be used by terrorists with a ``global reach'' to threaten the lives of future American leaders.

``The host government provides 95 per cent of the protection for a President on a visit,'' said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. ``Only the last five per cent is provided by our secret service people. It's where their security people interact with ours that they can learn about our methods, techniques and secrets,'' the official added.

``This would endanger the life of President Clinton in Pakistan and on other trips. It also threatens future US presidents. These terrorists are transnationals and operate around the world.''

The US official detailed other security concerns, including the threat that Islamic extremists from Afghanistan, who move easily across the border with Pakistan, could attack any airport used by Clinton, the daily says.

``They have experience with long-range shelling,'' said the official.

He said that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency had been working for years with anti-American groups such as Harkat-ul Mujahideen, which is on the State Department list of terrorist groups. The group is suspected of hijacking the Indian Airlines plane last December in which one of its leaders was freed in exchange for the release of the passengers and crew.

Pakistan's ISI also has dealt for years with reputed terrorist leader Osama bin Laden, believed responsible for the 1996 bombing of US army barracks in Saudi Arabia and the bombing of two US embassies in Africa in 1998.

Since the rule of military dictator Mohammed Zia ul-Haq in the 1980s, the ISI increasingly has been infiltrated by Islamic zealots, the daily says, quoting analysts and officials in Pakistan and Washington.

President Richard Nixon's 1969 visit to Pakistan was the last by an American president.

However, reasons given by those who oppose the visit go beyond security. Pakistan is ruled by military chief Gen Pervez Musharraf who overthrew the elected civilian government last October. Pakistan also is accused of sheltering terrorist groups and allowing militants to cross into Kashmir where they are fighting a guerrilla war, often targeting Hindu civilians and Muslims who disagree with their views.

Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.