No cover: US may recall CIA station chief in Islamabad

Station chief plays a key role in the drone campaign. PHOTO: REUTERS/ FILE

LAHORE / ISLAMABAD: 

The United States is likely to withdraw the current CIA station chief in Islamabad after his cover was blown when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) named him in a first information report registered against the recent drone strike in Hangu district.

As part of its understanding with Pakistan, the CIA station chief works undercover.

Although it was not possible to verify PTI’s claim, sources told The Express Tribune that the US is increasingly worried about the new development and is considering recalling its top spy from the country.

This is the second time a CIA station chief’s identity has been given away. Back in 2010, a human rights lawyer, who was spearheading a movement against drone strikes, had also filed a lawsuit against the then CIA station chief.

Washington, which never discloses the identity of the spy chief, had then pulled the spymaster out.

At that time, it was believed that the US move came as a result of a ‘cold war’ between the CIA and ISI.

However, a Pakistani security official insisted that the agency had nothing to do with the latest move by PTI.

“The ISI and CIA have been cooperating with each other under well-defined standard operating procedures,” added the official, who requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

In Lahore, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said it was possible that the (ISI) had played a part. “The ISI may be behind the unmasking of the CIA station chief,” Sanaullah told reporters in the Punjab Assembly’s cafeteria. When asked as to how the CIA official was disclosed earlier in a petition in 2010, he replied that in both the instances it was possible that the ISI had a hand.

When contacted, the US Embassy spokesperson refused to comment on the development. The spokesperson did, however, say that the situation would become clear in a few days.

The station chief in Islamabad has a key role in the drone campaign CIA is carrying out in the tribal areas. He deals with classified information and closely collaborates with the ISI.

In a related development, a US diplomat on Thursday met with senior PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the Parliament House, apparently to discuss the party’s ongoing protest against drone strikes.

None of the two sides made any public statements about the meeting, but sources said the latest controversy over naming the CIA station chief was discussed.

The party of cricketer-turned politician, Imran Khan, has been a staunch opponent of the CIA-piloted drone campaign in the tribal areas.

The government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa (K-P), ruled by the PTI, directed police authorities to register an FIR against the CIA for its latest drone strike in the Hangu district situated in K-P.

‘Mazari knows’

Sanaullah said PTI information secretary Shireen Mazari could tell the media who had given her the name of the CIA station incharge in Islamabad. “Keeping in view Mazari’s ideology everyone can easily assess her sources,” he added.

Earlier, he said the whole nation mourns over the childish step taken by PTI to implicate CIA director who sits in Washington DC.

Sergio Ramos, on the market

11/29/2013

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Real Madrid is willing to sell Sergio Ramos in exchange for €60 million. Problems during talks to renew his contract have soured relations between the player and the club, according to reports by the journalist José Ramón de la Morena for 'El Larguero' radio programme on 'Cadena Ser'.

All of this comes in the context of the meetings held between the player and the director over the past few days to try to finally finalise the matter of renewing the contract of the Spanish defender, who is one of the squad's captains. Florentino Pérez is said to have told Sergio Ramos that he would accept an offer of €60 million for him.

There are some clubs interested in signing Ramos, but none of them are prepared to cover his buyout clause, which stands at €150 million

According to De la Morena, Sergio Ramos told the Real president that there are some clubs interested in signing him, but that none of them are prepared to cover his buyout clause, which stands at €150 million.

Sergio Ramos then asked Florentino Pérez whether he would accept a bid of €50 million if it was made, to which the director replied that he could go to any club, even Barça, for €60 million.

According to the journalist, "There are lots of things that Sergio Ramos has to sort out. He fell out with Florentino Pérez when he told him that he had to improve his contract and argued with the president, and he still hasn't solved that.

Real unleashed

RUBÉN JIMÉNEZ 11/29/2013

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Real Madrid hit rock-bottom on 26th October, at the Camp Nou, a night that saw a despondent Madrid side fall to a defeat that left the league title all but unwinnable. One month has passed since them - a veritable eternity in the footballing world - and the same team that was reminiscent of a tortoise having a nap is now closer in comparison to a spaceship that just hit warp speed.

Ancelotti's side has played six games since the Camp Nou, resulting in five wins and one draw. Madrid has now qualified for the next round of the Champions League as top of the group, and has started to make a comeback in the league, scoring 26 and conceding 9 in the process.

'Los Blancos' have awoken from their 'siesta' and come out all guns blazing, with Sevilla, Real Sociedad, Almería and Galatasaray all having been left in tatters.

A large part of this upturn in form is down to Real's offensive trident. 20 of the 26 goals the team has scored in this period have come from Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema. Between them, they have turned brutal offence into an art form: the three understand each other, work well together and take turns at putting bulges into the old onion bag.

Whilst the strikers have settled into their new system, the other big plus from the last month is the return of Xabi Alonso. The player from Tolosa is the cog that finally gave some sense to Ancelotti's clockwork machine, and he's not just any old part of the machinery, he's the driving force behind all the other parts

David Beckham has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was like 'the godfather' of Manchester United

David Beckham has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was like 'the godfather' of Manchester United because of his totalitarian approach to managing the club. 

The former United midfielder admitted that players were 'scared' of the patriarch, renowned for his sharp Scottish tongue. 

Beckham knows about that more than most after a series of disagreements with Ferguson before moving to Real Madrid in 2003.

David Beckham says time with Class of '92 was the happiest

The boss: David Beckham labelled Sir Alex Ferguson as 'the godfather' of Manchester United

Chat: Beckham was talking to BBC Breakfast on Friday morning before taking on more media duties

Clash: Beckham shows off a cut above his eye that came from a boot Ferguson kicked in the dressing room

He described the Reds' most-decorated manager as the 'godfather - and not in a good way,' to BBC Breakfast. 'Not in a bad way [either] but we were all very scared of him.' 

The 38-year-old, who retired at the end of last season, also said he blew his first big pay packet on a flashy BMW. 

'My first thing that I spent money on was a BMW. That was my first cheque from Adidas, and I just blew the whole thing in one go,' Beckham told the Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio. 

Sir Alex Ferguson: Beckham fittest player at United

Over his shoulder: Beckham admitted to being 'very scared' of Ferguson at Old Trafford

Watch: Beckham was promoting the 'Class of 92' documentary made about (left to right) Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Beckham, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville

'We started getting a little bit more money than we were in the youth team, you know, I went and blew it. I was still living in digs at the time, and I literally blew all my money on a BMW.'

In more trivial conversation Beckham gave a glimpse of less glamorous aspects of his lifestyle - including making tea for wife Victoria. 

The father-of-four said his main job in the 'very organised' globe-trotting family is to take care of baby Harper's nappy bag.

Carrying the nappies: Beckham revealed the chores he has around the house

The most-recognisable face of the 'Class of 92' is promoting the documentary covering the rise of him, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers. 

Beckham remained tight-lipped about reports linking him with a knighthood in the New Year Honours List. 

'I am very proud of what I have already got,' he straight-batted.

OBE: Beckham remained tight-lipped on the prospect of a knighthood in the New Year Honours List

 

Beckham: I wanted to stay at Manchester United for my whole career

The 38-year-old says he always felt he would end his career at Old Trafford and revealed his favourite ever goal was his strike from the halfway line against Wimbledon in 1996

David Beckham has admitted that that all he ever wanted to do was stay at Manchester United - despite having had the honour of playing for Real Madrid, AC Milan and PSG during his illustrious playing career.

The former midfielder left Old Trafford in 2003 for the Santiago Bernabeu, spending five years with the Spanish giants before heading to MLS with LA Galaxy. 

Beckham also enjoyed two loan spells at San Siro during that time before returning to Europe for a final stint with PSG earlier this year.

When asked what his teenage self would make of his career so far, the 38-year-old told 'The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show' on Absolute Radio: "I probably wouldn’t believe it, you know, everything that I’ve achieved in my career and done in my career, the places where I’ve played.

"I’d probably be a little bit disappointed in myself because I always want to better myself in everything that I do.

"But, as a 17-year-old boy, all I ever wanted to do was stay at Manchester United my whole career, you know, that’s nothing against the fact that I’ve been able to play for some of the other biggest clubs in the world.

"But, not disappointment, but surprise probably, because I always felt that I would stay at Manchester United and finish my career there, so I’d be surprised at myself, not disappointed."

Beckham also reveals that receiving praise from Eric Cantona, for his sensational goal from the halfway line at Selhurst Park in 1996, meant more to him that the strike itself.

"My favourite goal has to be the one against Wimbledon because everybody talks about it, and everybody talks about the history of it," he added.  

"But I was happier about the fact that Eric Cantona came up to me afterwards and said, 'Good goal'. That was better than scoring the goal for me.

"He was a quiet man, you know, Eric, but he was a man of few words, and when he actually talked to you it was always something special that he said or some information that you really needed.  

"He might have been in the same team as us, and we saw him day in and day out, but for us young lads he was a hero.

Manchester United ready to resist Juventus loan offer for Nani

The Bianconeri want to sign a right-sided outside forward when the transfer window opens, but the Premier League champions are unwilling to entertain a temporary deal

EXCLUSIVEBy Carlo Garganese and Romeo Agresti

Manchester United are ready to reject a fresh Juventus approach for their out-of-favour winger Nani.

The Italian champions are preparing a loan offer for the 27-year-old but Goal understands that the Red Devils are unwilling to let the Portugal international leave on a temporary basis.

Despite topping Serie A, Juve coach Antonio Conte is unhappy with his preferred 3-5-2 formation and wishes to permanently switch to a 4-3-3 system by signing a right-sided outside forward.

Having been linked with Parma wideman Jonathan Biabiany and PSG’s Jeremy Menez, Goal can confirm that the Bianconeri are readying a six-month loan offer for Nani.

The Turin outfit are willing to match the player's United salary of £95,000 (€114,000) a week until the end of the season and secure an option to make the transfer permanent in June.

Publicly, United have no intention of selling Nani but, privately, could be tempted if Juventus tabled a big-money transfer bid. A loan offer is unlikely to be entertained.

Conte has long been an admirer of the Seleccao star and in one of his first press conferences as coach in 2011 bemoaned the fact that Juventus “don’t possess a player like Carlos Tevez, Theo Walcott or Nani.”

Tevez eventually joined the Bianconeri this summer from Manchester City, and Conte has now set his sights on Nani from The Citizens’ cross-town rivals.

The Cape Verde-born attacker arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting in 2007, but has struggled for form, fitness and game time over the last 18 months and was even booed by his own fans during the home game against Stoke last month.

Nani only extended his United contract until 2018 in September and cited new boss David Moyes as a key reason for him inking a new deal.

"This summer was not easy but after a lot of thought and talking to David Moyes I believe it [signing a new contract] was the best solution," he explained.

"I feel I can offer many things to United. I had other important offers yet without a sufficient challenge to make me want to leave United."

Nani scored his first goal of 2013-14 during United’s 5-0 Champions League thrashing of Leverkusen in midweek but has played just three league games this term.

However, with Wilfried Zaha likely to go out on loan in January, the English champions won't be easily convinced to sell the Portuguese, whose attitude and professionalism has been exceptional this season.

Monaco keeping tabs on Juventus defender Bonucc

The Stade Louis II outfit are keen to strengthen their back four and have added the Biaconeri centre-back to their shortlist of summer transfer targets

EXCLUSIVE
By Romeo Agresti

Leonardo Bonucci has attracted the interest of Monaco with his fine performances for Juventus this season.

Les Rouge et Blanc are keen to add to their ranks in order to boost their bid to dethrone Paris Saint-Germain as Ligue 1 champions, having previously already bringing in high-profile names such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho.

Monaco have identified their defence as the area that most needs strengthening, despite conceding only 11 goals in 14 games so far this season.

The French view the 26-year-old Bonucci as a player who could help them move to the next level and sent a scout to Juventus' Champions League win over Copenhagen on Wednesday to have a closer look at the Italy international.

Monaco have yet to cement their interest in the centre-back, but they intend to keep monitoring him for the remainder of the season before eventually tabling an official offer during the summer.

Bonucci joined Juventus from Bari in the summer of 2010 and has since developed into a key player in Turin, making over 100 official appearances for the Bianconeri to date.

The defender's current contract with the Italian champions runs until June 2017.