Date:08/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/08/stories/2009010853631000.htm

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Military denies report

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan military has said that parts of an interview of the ISI chief, Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha, published in the German magazine Der Spiegel, have been reported out of context.

A military spokesman said in a written statement on Wednesday that “some of the important issues have been reported out of context or have been incorrectly constructed as a result of mistranslation”.

He said the conversation with Der Spiegel took place on December 12 last “when the environment was different from what it is today.” He went on to add that “some of the things reported are either incongruous or have not been clearly stated.”

The spokesman said the ISI Director-General’s views on handling of Al-Qaeda and other terrorists had been “incorrectly” reported.

“Our stance on the issue of terrorism is in line with the policy of Government of Pakistan. There is no question of any sympathy or dealing with irreconcilable elements fighting Pakistan and its allies. On the issue of drone attacks, ISI is clearly and fully supportive of the government’s stated policy,” he said.