Musharraf Insists: I'm Not George Bush's Poodle

The Guardian (UK) ^ | 4-28-2006 | Declan Walsh - Simon Tidsdall

[blam]

Musharraf insists: I'm not George Bush's poodle

· General says US air strikes infringe sovereignty
· President denies running military dictatorship

Declan Walsh and Simon Tisdall in Rawalpindi
Friday April 28, 2006
The Guardian (UK)

General Pervez Musharraf, facing a surge of anti-American sentiment, yesterday warned that covert US air strikes against al-Qaida inside Pakistan were an infringement of national sovereignty.

Admitting that his popularity was waning, the Pakistani president insisted he was "not a poodle" of George Bush and rejected accusations he was running a military dictatorship.

Speaking to the Guardian at Army House in Rawalpindi weeks after a tense visit by the US president that brought a torrent of domestic criticism, Gen Musharraf insisted he was his own man.

"When you are talking about fighting terrorism or extremism, I'm not doing that for the US or Britain. I'm doing it for Pakistan," he said. "It's not a question of being a poodle. I'm nobody's poodle. I have enough strength of my own to lead."

If necessary he had "teeth" to bite back, he added. "Yes sir, I personally do. A lot of teeth. Sometimes the teeth do not have to be shown. Pragmatism is required in international relations."

Gen Musharraf pledged to hold free and fair elections next year as urged by Mr Bush during his visit to Islamabad last month. Opposition parties fear the poll, which government officials claim will be the most open since Gen Musharraf seized power in 1999, will be rigged.

"It is ironic that I'm sitting in uniform talking of democracy ... but to bring democracy into Pakistan I thought I needed it," he said.

An American Predator drone fired Hellfire missiles at a house in Bajaur tribal agency in January, killing 18 people but missing their target, al-Qaida's second in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri.

[sheik yerbouty]

Mush should sit down and STFU..

[Echo Talon]

nope, poodles are smart.

[ketelone]

Hmm... thats a pretty pathetic sort of statement for anyone to make.. I mean Nixon had "I am not a crook"... Mush is left with "I am not a poodle... I repeat.. I am not a poodle"

[gafusa]

Actually he is not Bush's poodle. He is a Chinazi poodle, but not Bush's. It is funny how countries, to prove the are "independent" become Chinese vassal states.

[hummingbird]

...the Pakistani president insisted he was "not a poodle" of George Bush...

Well, then he should be. George Bush has protected and is still protecting his nuggets. Any unpopularity he has comes from his very obvious lack of character and inner strength. That his own people see his lack of strength speaks volumes.

Butch up, ya' big girl!!!!

[gafusa]

And he repays us by allying with China instead.

[Yo-Yo]

Do I LOOK like a Poodle to you?

[Enchante]

This is about as dumb as when Nixon said "I am not a crook" - never allow your enemies to define the debate like that....when you allow your enemies to provide the terms of discussion, such a 'crook' or 'poodle'...... no amount of denial will help you. Mushie has allowed himself to be tarred with this brush, and now everyone will think "Mushie.... poodle" in the same thought.

[LifeOrGoods?]

...US air strikes against al-Qaida inside Pakistan were an infringement of national sovereignty.

Yeah so? Shut up and fetch.

[LifeOrGoods?]

HAR HAR!!

[PghBaldy]

He has apparently done alot for us. He has had several serious assasination attempts aginst him. If he has to deny things to stay in power, and keep control of Pakistan's nukes away from Al Qaeda & Taliban (unfortunately the ISI supports the Taliban), then I don't care. We got the donut guy...

[Wolfhound777]

General Pervez Musharraf, facing a surge of anti-American sentiment, yesterday warned that covert US air strikes against al-Qaida inside Pakistan were an infringement of national sovereignty.

Is this clown would clean up the trash in his own backyard, we wouldn't have to do it for him. I don't give a rats tail about Pakistan's sovereignty or any other country that harbors these terrorist roaches. Musharraf might not survive the next attempt on his life if he doesn't shut his damn mouth.

[Doe Eyes]

That his own people see his lack of strength speaks volumes.

In general, his own people support the Taliban and Al Queda.

[sukhoi-30mki]

ummm where is the question of repaying the US by aligning with China???Pakistan has always been a Chinese ally-long before it got close to the US of A.Heck,Yahya Khan played the role of emissary between Mao & Nixon in the late 60s before the US normalised relations with Beijing.

[Gengis Khan]

Musharraf is Taliban's poodle, OBL's poodle, Al Quaida's poodle, China's poodle.