Ringing US support for Gen Musharraf

[Neo]

Ringing US support for Gen Musharraf​

WASHINGTON: President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday received ringing endorsement from the United States of his policies and actions with assurances of continued support for his attempts to fight extremism and steer Pakistan towards democracy.
The assurances came from Richard Boucher, assistant secretary of state for South Asia, at a special briefing held at the State Department. It was clear that the US is un-swayed by the popular upsurge in Pakistan for civilian democratic rule, having thrown its lot with Musharraf, whom it views as the leader best equipped to fight extremism and support US policies in the region.

Boucher was asked several times in different ways why the US continues to support Gen Musharraf when the people of Pakistan want a different dispensation, but he continued to express unstinted support for Musharraf and his policies.

Boucher also expressed understanding for the North Waziristan agreement, saying that it was the other side that had violated the three agreed conditions. He did not criticise the revival of the deal as long as it meets the three conditions that the local leaders had earlier agreed to abide by.

He also expressed support for the storming of the Lal Masjid. He called the mosque “the product of decades” but would not say on whose shoulders lay the responsibility of letting that happen. He said the storming of the mosque showed that the government is prepared to move militarily if that becomes necessary.

He said the US will support the government’s efforts to upgrade the Frontier Constabulary and improve and increase its capabilities. The US will also be part of efforts to economically develop Pakistan’s tribal regions.

Turning to democracy, he said there is a lot of politics in the air and the US supports the coming elections and is fully behind the people having a choice in how they are governed. However, it was clear from what he said a number of times in answer to different questions that the US views Pakistan’s democratisation as a phased process.

Asked if what Musharraf has done in the fight against extremism is “too little too late” and whether he can go it alone, Boucher replied that while Musharraf is capable of “doing it alone”, he will “have our support”. He said the US hopes that the coming elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner. He said it is Washington’s hope that Pakistan will eventually and in the long run become a moderate, stable and democratic Islamic state.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\07\18\story_18-7-2007_pg1_8

 

[Neo]

Musharraf serious about fighting terrorism: US​

WASHINGTON: State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said on Tuesday at his regular daily briefing that, “President Musharraf is serious about fighting violent extremism and terror. He is as much threatened by terror and violence as we are. He no more wants to see the tribal areas turned into a sanctuary and safe haven for the Taliban or Al Qaeda or other violent extremists than we do. So we are going to continue to support him in his efforts.

We’re there — where we think course corrections are needed, required and advisable, then of course we’re going to talk to him about them, but we’re going to do it through diplomatic channels. We’re not going to necessarily advertise it in public. But we have said in the past that this is — the agreement, as it was originally structured, was not — hasn’t worked out. It hasn’t worked out the way that we had hoped, and he has said that it hasn’t worked out the way that he had hoped.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\07\18\story_18-7-2007_pg1_9

 

[Neo]

US asks Pakistan to launch military offensive​

WASHINGTON - The United States on Tuesday prodded Pakistan to launch a military offensive against fighters hiding in tribal areas after Washington hinted at a lack of commitment from its ally to hunt down violent extremists.

US officials said Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf should send his troops into the tribal border region with Afghanistan to flush out Taleban and Al Qaeda militants, following the collapse of a 10-month peace accord between Islamabad and tribal elders.

“I think first and foremost we have to remember that some military action is necessary, and will probably have to be taken,” Assistant Secretary of State for South and central Asian affairs Richard Boucher said.

The United States, he said, was also prepared to help upgrade the Pakistan military, particularly its “frontier corps” that forms the bulk of the estimated 85,000 military forces in the tribal and border regions.

Some 350 million dollars is needed for the military upgrade, and Washington is expected to contribute as much of that amount as possible.

Boucher spoke after a week of violence in North Waziristan, a remote frontier region where militant leaders over the weekend renounced a September accord with Islamabad.

The peace pact in the stronghold of Taleban and Al Qaeda militants had been heavily criticized by the United States and Afghanistan.

Pakistani authorities have made intense efforts to shore up the peace accord since the Taleban pulled out on Saturday, knowing that without it, they risk fresh violence in a region thought to contain many militants.

Boucher said Washington was less concerned about whether the agreement worked or not.

“There are elements in these areas that are extremely violent and are out to kill government people, out to kill government leaders, and will not settle for a peaceful way forward,” he said.

“Whether it is through an agreement or through the imposition of government will or whatever, they remain the key: no Talebanisation, no cross-border activity, no Al Qaeda plotting and planning from the tribal areas,” he said.

“And we’re going to help the government of Pakistan achieve that through whatever ... means that might be necessary,” he said citing joint US-Pakistan plans to develop the isolated areas in tandem with possible military action.

The United States has promised 150 million dollars a year for the next five years to develop the tribal areas on top of a Pakistani funding of about 100 million dollars a year.

Amid US concerns over militants sheltering in tribal areas, President George W. Bush’s top counter-terrorism aide said Tuesday Washington rarely got all of the help it wanted from allies like Pakistan in efforts to hunt down violent extremists.

“When people ask me about our counter-terrorism cooperation, our allies around the world, the suggestion is: “Do they give you everything you want?’ That is almost never the case,” said Bush’s homeland security and counterterrorism advisor, Frances Townsend.

“And you know what? If I only cooperated with those who gave me 100 percent of what I thought I needed or wanted, I wouldn’t have a whole lot of allies around the world,” she said during a briefing at the White House on the latest National Intelligence Estimate of terrorist threats to the United States.

US officials said it would be timely for Musharraf to step up his offensive against extremists hiding in the tribal areas, especially after he had ordered an assault on a pro-Taleban mosque compound in Islamabad last week.

The assault resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers and 75 people inside the compound, mainly militants.

“We think the time is now,” one official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We think with the movement on the Red Mosque, Musharraf feels a sense of momentum and he’s got the tools in place — he’s got the construction money, he’s got the military starting to creep forward into forward positions,” the official said.

“Whether the peace deal (in the tribal areas) is on or off, it doesn’t matter.”

There have been repeated claims that Al Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden and Taleban leader Mullah Omar are hiding in remote territory along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Display...ntinent_July739.xml&section=subcontinent&col=

 

[solid snake]

I don't know about you guys, but I am sick and tired of the Taliban. Now is our chance to finish them off once and for all. I support all military actions against these terorrists. The US is right in supporting Musharraf. I am always exasperated when even educated people speak out against these actions. How do YOU propse we get rid of these terrorists that blow up our infrastructure and soldiers in Balochistan and North West Pakistan? Talk to them? YEAH RIGHT!

It's ironic that one general is fixing a mess that another general created 30 years ago.

 

[Bull]

This is called US support. US is nailing him even more by passing on such comments. The biggest accusation against Mushraff is that he is enacting a 'US drama', and with US sayign what he is doing is right is helping amass the public against him.

If US wants him to win, they shud zip their mouth and talk about something else.

 

[JF-17 Thunder]

- Deleted -​

 

[Scorpius]

Some form of campaign has to be launched against the terrorists residing in the NWFP. This is their Base of operations. If they launch an attack into Afghanistan or against Pakistanis they always retreat back to the tribal border areas. The ceasefire didn't work, they didn't keep up their end of the deal. And have now cancelled it themselves, thereby effectively declaring war on Pakistan.

One would be tempted to allow the US to bomb the area, but it wouldn't be a wise move politically. It has to be a Pakistani effort. Civilians will die, but this is the nature of war. Musharraf has to be tough and ruthless, these people only understand the language of force.

The government also has to launch a media campaign showing the crimes of these people, ie the beheadings, treatment of women, etc. In war time the media needs to be monitored, propaganda is a crucial element in winning.

As for the people still trying to defend these scum and blaming Musharraf well you really need to take a look at the situation again and think without your anti mushy anti western bias.

Suicide bombers are killing dozens of pakistani civilians, they have cancelled the ceasefire and are targetting the Army and the general population. Right now all that is needed is for people to back Musharraf and support the elimination of these terrorists. Once the situation is over, then go back to your bickering.

It's really low to blame the government and spout your political agenda at a time like this, when innocent people are being killed by anti govt forces.

Law and order has to established across all of Pakistan, all those resisting this in whatever way are part of the problem.

 

[Cheetah786]

Some form of campaign has to be launched against the terrorists residing in the NWFP. This is their Base of operations. If they launch an attack into Afghanistan or against Pakistanis they always retreat back to the tribal border areas. The ceasefire didn't work, they didn't keep up their end of the deal. And have now cancelled it themselves, thereby effectively declaring war on Pakistan.

One would be tempted to allow the US to bomb the area, but it wouldn't be a wise move politically. It has to be a Pakistani effort. Civilians will die, but this is the nature of war. Musharraf has to be tough and ruthless, these people only understand the language of force.

The government also has to launch a media campaign showing the crimes of these people, ie the beheadings, treatment of women, etc. In war time the media needs to be monitored, propaganda is a crucial element in winning.

As for the people still trying to defend these scum and blaming Musharraf well you really need to take a look at the situation again and think without your anti mushy anti western bias.

Suicide bombers are killing dozens of pakistani civilians, they have cancelled the ceasefire and are targetting the Army and the general population. Right now all that is needed is for people to back Musharraf and support the elimination of these terrorists. Once the situation is over, then go back to your bickering.

It's really low to blame the government and spout your political agenda at a time like this, when innocent people are being killed by anti govt forces.

Law and order has to established across all of Pakistan, all those resisting this in whatever way are part of the problem.

I second that.