Pakistan ‘gives Al-Qaeda refuge’

The Times ^ | October 31, 2004 | Nicholas Rufford

[FreeReign]

I agree. The title was very misleading. Regional figures being pro-Al Qaeda in Pakistan is not suprising.

Absolutely.

[FreeReign]

Humor? Okay you got it. "Take my wife for instance.....please!"

Got a pic?

[Luigi Vasellini]

Screw "collateral damage" if he is given safe harbor any where BOMB IT!!!!!!!!

[Destro]

PS: I do realize I sounded a little harsh. The problem is that I am in these stressful times sometimes agitated that Americans lack a sense of history or of current events and world facts.

I am not a know it all - hardly - but I guess those Jay Leno moments when he questions unkowing folks off the street about history and political and military current events for laughs is not so funny in this time and age.

My aplogies. For somereason I come off as disagreable on the internet and it is far from my nature (at least I hope so).

[EGPWS]

I've only said about a katrillion times that Osama is in Pakistan. Pakistan is the darkest deepest hole in the world. Everyone in Pakistan could know exactly where Osama is and NO ONE would tell.

And your conveyance has not gone without notice. At least by some anyway.

Me thinks that if just one city in Pakistan had a change in climate brought on by the one's seeking Usama why Usama would magically appear and be taken into custody.

[Cinnamon Girl]

Yeah, right. The same way they've executed Sheikh Omar.

[EGPWS]

PS: I do realize I sounded a little harsh. The problem is that I am in these stressful times sometimes agitated that Americans lack a sense of history or of current events and world facts.

So Destro, just out of curiosity, what is your take on the promotion of the F-22?

Or have you already conveyed that through obdurately chastising a good faith poster by calling him a "dick" and choosing to attempt a change in subject away from the thread?

Me thinks your polarity has changed tonight, however tomorrow may bring a polarity less conducive to interaction.

You, my FRiend have been focal to posting ridicule not I.

Chill and accommodate and perhaps your welcome will be more appreciated.

[Destro]

I called no one a "dick" - as far as I can remember :) Nor did I mean to sound so harsh - but it happened. We may all get back to normal temperment when the election is over.

[oldbrowser]

I concede that he must be alive. But my guess is that his "safe haven" is actually Iran.

I think so too.

[EGPWS]

I called no one a "dick" - as far as I can remember :)

You did my FRiend and this was long before the election was a FR issue.

D@mn my good memory anyway!

Fool me once and shame on you, however fool me twice and shame on me.

[Saberwielder]

This is why it is important for Bush to win. Kerry cannot fight terror out of a wet paper bag. A second Bush term, with no re-election worries and Congress in GOP control is crucial to legislate and implement far reaching changes to the way we fight terror.

Catching Bin Laden can happen tomorrow or in 5 years. The Israelis recently got a Pal terror leader who they *knew* was in Gaza for many years. And Gaza is like a football field when compared to the size of Waziristan.

If Bin Laden is in Waziristan, we will get him. I'm sure of that. Personally I think he's likely to be in Karachi or some other big Pakistani city.

[Destro]

Oh you are saying I called someone a d*ck a long time ago? Well maybe they deserved it? But not on this post.

[pie_eater]

I recently heard a speech from a retired US General who fielded a question from the audience to the effect of "why didn't we just go into Pakistan and get Bin Laden ourselves?". His answer was chilling.

He said that Pakistan's leader has survived THREE assassination attempts. Radical Islamists are out to get him and take over the country. If we go insert ourselves into Pakistan, where the public opinion is more pro-Bin Laden than it is pro-American, it could push the balance of power right into the hands of the radicals.

Pakistan has been helping us. Granted, they're not gung-ho about it and probably couldn't find Bin Laden if they were. But they are at least finding and arresting bad guys.

In case anyone forgot, Pakistan has nuclear weapons. If the Musharrif government falls and the radicals take over, the radical Islamists have nuclear weapons.

It is believed that India would be so afraid of a nuclear strike from Pakistan's radicals THAT INDIA WOULD INITIATE THE NUCLEAR STRIKE THEMSELVES PREEMPTIVLEY.

To recap the scenario:
1) We send our military into Western Pakistan to find Bin Laden ourselves
2) Anti-American radicals topple the Musharrif government
3) India, fearing the impending nuclear attack, strikes first
4) Pakistan strikes back with whatever they have left
5) Presto, nuclear mutual destruction

That's why we don't push too hard on Pakistan's government to cooperate. They are cooperating as much as their domestic politics will allow.

[endthematrix]

Maj. Gen. Shaukat Sultan, the army spokesman, said the intensity of Pakistan's efforts in North and South Waziristan would make it impossible for bin Laden to hide there.

"Even if the tape was dropped here, that doesn't mean that he is here," Gen. Sultan said. "Nobody knows where he is, but he cannot be in Pakistan's tribal areas because of the presence of so many troops."

[sukhoi-30mki]

Sorry to say this,but most folks here don't have a clue on China's role in this equation.Pakistan's nukes have Chinese markings all over it & were specifically aimed at containing India in the subcontinent-something that helps Beijing.Pakistan has recieved & still recieves vast quantity of weapons from China,which will remain it's most valuable ally,not the US.In the event of a US invasion of Pakistan-it will square up into a US/India vs China/Pakistan scenario & we all know neither India or Washington wants to take on the Chinese for now as China will never allow Islamabad to be dominated or decimated.Trying to see India & Pakistan through an isolated prism is well,foolish,period.

[Arjun]

>>Radical Islamists are out to get him and take over the >>country.
Dont buy that. The Army controls pakistan and nothing will change that. One general goes another will take over.
The so called islamic radicals can make noise but dont have the real power.
The idea that nukes will fall in their hands is also not plausible. Pak army is a big well financed organisation and does give a rats ass to what the mullahs say. If the people really had power in that country it would be a democracy. Its not.

>> THAT INDIA WOULD INITIATE THE NUCLEAR STRIKE THEMSELVES >>PREEMPTIVLEY
Even when they were at the brink of war a few years back India had said it will not strike first. So no chance of that happening.
The northern areas need to be invaded and set in order. Its pointless to be sitting ducks across the border in Afghanistan. It will also put pressure on pak to keep delivering.