Pakistan warns: US actions against Al Qaeda/Taliban will be considered an invasion
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has warned the US against targeted attacks on Al Qaeda and the Taliban on Pakistani soil.
From the International Herald Tribune
Asked in the interview about a proposal under review by President George W. Bush’s senior national security advisers to expand the authority of the Central Intelligence Agency and the military to conduct far more aggressive covert operations in the tribal areas, Musharraf said he would oppose the conduct of unilateral strikes by U.S. forces without Pakistani approval.
“Nobody will come here until we ask them to come, and we haven’t asked them,” Musharraf said about the proposal. “Certainly, if they come without our permission, that’s against the sovereignty of Pakistan.”
An array of experts agree, including Pakistani military analysts and U.S. counterterrorism specialists, who say that U.S. troops would be seen as an invasion force by the Pakistani public. They argue that U.S. raids would fail and increase public support for militants, who are seen as trying to free Pakistan from U.S. domination.
In an attempt to disassociate himself with allegations of protecting notable Al Qaeda operatives, Musharraf said “[If] you’re talking about Osama bin Laden; any action against him will be free…we’ll attack the target together.”
Critics have also slated the ‘compromised’ investigation into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, claiming that the investigative authorities hosed down the crime scene, washing away potentially important evidence.
The question must be asked; what kind of a ‘partner in the War on Terror’ is Musharraf? Surely, in order to effectively counter the causes and the perpetrators of terrorism, both on Pakistani soil, and elsewhere, all allied governments acting with the goal of eradication of global terror cells should be more complicit, consenting and willing to act alongside ‘partners.’ Unfortunately, as so often occurs in the Middle-East, the west is forced to resort to the ‘lesser of two [many] evils principle.’ Bush’s government recognise the need for Pakistani support as a central ‘democratic’ Middle-Eastern nation state for regional influence, and will have to make a choice between alientating Pakistan through targetted action against Al Qaeda and the Taliban, or acceptance of Musharraf’s non-compliance.
You are unreal.
Thank you kindly, Hasan.