Ed Morrissey interviewed Ambassador Said Jawad today and he will replay tomorrow in its entirity on the Ed Morrissey Show at 3pm ET.

Here’s Ed’s summary of the interview:

*On the focus of both presidential campaigns on Afghanistan: “We are grateful for the fact that there is a greater degree of understanding of the magnitude of the problem in Afghanistan and therefore a greater degree of commitment …”

*On the shortage of Afghan security forces: “The fact is that Afghanistan is larger than Iraq, with terrain that is more difficult and more complicated … The forces only just got increased to 85,000 …. and this is not enough to defend the country against terrorism.”

*On accusations that Pakistani intelligence aids terrorist groups: “These were not accusations — these were clear facts. While some of our international friends didn’t agree with [our decision] to take a stronger stand against Pakistan over the last six years for political reasons, we were very clear to point to the real origin and the real source of terrorism in the region.”

*On the commitment of the Gilani civilian government in Pakistan to fight terrorism: “The civilian government understands the danger of the Talibanization of Pakistan, which is coupled with another serious threat I call the Pakistanization of al-Qaeda … Do they have the necessary capability? We’ll have to see. The military has the capability, but they don’t have the commitment.”

*What don’t Americans know about Iran and the drug trade? “Iran has a huge problem of addiction and consumption, particularly in heroin and opium. This has been a historic problem in Iran. There has been a very good degree of cooperation between the two countries, especially along the border.”

So the Afghans know that the Pakistani Intelligence Service is invloved with terrorist activities. The Pakistani government has been in denial about this. Maybe with pressure from its neighbor and the US will prompt them to crack down.

But when the Ambassador indicates that he feels the Pakistani army is not up to the task of combating the Taliban, its further indication that it will be up to US forces to do the job.

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