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Clinton Labels Haqqani Network As Terrorists

Subrina Hudson |
September 7, 2012 | 12:46 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization. (IIP State/Flickr)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization. (IIP State/Flickr)
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton designated the militant Haqqani network as a terrorist organization, in a report to Congress on Friday, two days before a Congressional deadline. 

The Haqqani network is responsible for some of the deadliest attacks on American troops in Afghanistan, according to The New York Times.

Clinton issued the reports after a round of internal debate in Washington on Thursday, hours before President Obama was to speak at the Democratic National Convention. The decision comes after nearly two years of debate inside the administration, which peaked in the past month under the pressure of Sunday's reporting deadline.

According to The New York Times, several State Department and military officials argued that designating the organization as a terrorist group would help cut off its fundraising activities in countries like Saudi Arabia and pressure Pakistan to open up a military offensive against the militants.

However, other senior officials felt blacklisting the group could damage a fraying relationship with Pakistan, undercut peace talks with the Taliban and perhaps jeopardize Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, the only American soldier known to be held captive by the militants.

Reach Executive Producer Subrina Hudson here; follow her on Twitter here.



 

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