Posted on 11/04/2007 1:25:06 AM PST by HAL9000
And yes that is a huge problem.
Yes, but sooner or later this had to happen, and I am actually glad that it happened on Bush’s watch rather than say, hillary’s.
The entire current situation in Pakistan with nukes, Islamic madrassases and their extremist overlords, Heroin smuggling, and provinces that openly shelter the entire Taliban remnant, along with safe havens for AQ and Osama made me much more nervous.
Quite a volatile mix there, and a real change may very well also affect the entire WOT in a favorable way.
I saw zero chance for the situation to just peacefully evolve to a favorable condition or a better state of affairs.
” Yes, but sooner or later this had to happen, and I am actually glad that it happened on Bushs watch rather than say, hillarys. “
Agreed — but there are some serious risks here, however necessary....
And, it just occurred to me that there’s, if not a 600-pound-gorilla, at least a 300-pound one, that could come into the mix — how is India going to react to instability, and the potential for a power-shift, in their erstwhile regional nuclear rival?? (And what is the nature of our defense relationship with India?)
Wheels within wheels.....
So, it took 6 years to arrest Gul. Better late than never. This is a sign that Musharaf is finally serious about going after the tribes and terrorists in Pakistan. I guess he's finally come to the correct conclusion that this town isn't big enough for the two of them.
he cuts heroin, china will cut him
Apparently has sensible skin as well:
Recently Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Gul, through Maqsood Hussain Qureshi, advocate, has issued a legal notice to Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto under the Defamation Ordinance 2002.
Referring to media reports, Qureshi said that Benazir Bhutto, in a letter addressed to the president of Pakistan, has included the name of Hamid Gul as potential assassin, thus, tarnishing his reputation, defiling his honour and implicitly endangering his life at the hands of any of her over-zealous party workers seeking vengeance.
http://www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1194182193&archive=&start_from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news
This is good news. The ISI invented the Taliban and have been hiding Bin Laden since 9/11.
Do you have a program to help us know which guys are good guys, semi good, semi bad and really bad guys?
Good news...Musharraf’s finally going after the Islamists. Let’s hope it continues.
Hopefully the US will do what is needed and prop up Mushy long enough to get after the Taliban/AQs....and take off the gloves in support. Better let the State Dept know that is the plan...we don’t need any stinkin’ Democracy anywhere...when are these idiots in Guv going to remember that it is Representative Republican Gov’t not Democracy.
Let's hope for that outcome....
From CNN a few minutes ago:
“Commentary: No time for dictatorship Story Highlights
Bhutto reflects on assassination attempt against her more two weeks ago
Martial law is “a step to entrench his [Musharraf’s] dictatorship,” Bhutto says
Bhutto fears denial of political activity is prelude to “a fraudulent election”
Next Article in World »
By Benazir Bhutto
CNN.com invited Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto to reflect on the tumultuous events since her return to Pakistan just over two weeks ago. As she submitted this opinion piece, Pakistan’s General Pervez Musharraf imposed a nationwide state of emergency, a move she describes as a “horrific threat” to the country’s future.
KARACHI, Pakistan (CNN) — I have long claimed that the rise of extremism and militancy in Pakistan could not happen without support from elements within the current administration. My return to my country poses a threat to the forces of extremism that have thrived under a dictatorship. They want to stop the restoration of democracy at any price. They have exploited a poor, desperate, and powerless people and allowed extremists the right environment in which to flourish.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/04/bhutto/index.html
MUST READ to understand the importance of Hamid Gul
Arnaud de Borchgrave interview of Hamid Gul 9/14/01
don’t let the fact that it is Robt Fisk’s website put you off. Originally appeared in NEWSWEEK.
SOME EXCERPTS FROM:
http://www.robert-fisk.com/hamid_gul_interview_sept26_2001.htm
De Borchgrave: So who did Black Sept. 11?
Gul: Mossad and its accomplices.............
Q: So you’re already convinced bin Laden didn’t do it?
A: I know bin Laden and his associates. I’ve been with them here, in Europe and the Middle East.............
Q: So what makes you think Osama wasn’t behind Sept. 11?
A: From a cave inside a mountain or a peasant’s hovel? Let’s be serious. Osama inspires countless millions by standing up for Islam against American and Israeli imperialism. He doesn’t have the means for such a sophisticated operation...............
Q: Why Mossad?
A: Mossad and its American associates are the obvious culprits. Who benefits from the crime?................
Q: At this point, someone might be asking what you’ve been smoking. What is Israel’s interest in such a monstrous plot, which, of course, no one believes except Islamist extremists who concocted this piece of disinformation in the first place, presumably to detract from the real culprits?
A: Jews never agreed to Bush 41 (George H.W. Bush, the 41st president) or 43 (his son George W. Bush, the 43rd president). ...............Israel has now handed the Bush family the opportunity it has been waiting for to consolidate America’s imperial grip on the Gulf and acquire control of the Caspian basin by extending its military presence in Central Asia. .....................And no sooner did he become president on Jan. 20, 1989, than he summoned an inter-agency intelligence meeting and issued an order, among several others, to clip the wings of ISI (Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence) that had been coordinating the entire operation in Afghanistan. I know this firsthand as I was DGISI at the time (director general, ISI).
Q: Were you a fundamentalist in the days of the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan when you worked closely with the CIA?
A: Not as much as I am today.
Q: What turned you against America?
A: Betrayals and broken promises and what was done to my army career.
Q: And Taliban?
A: They represent Islam in its purest form so far. It’s a clean sheet. And they were also moving in the right direction when this crisis was cooked up by the U.S. Until Sept. 11, they had perfect law and order with no formal police force, only traffic cops without sidearms. Now, in less than two weeks, they have mobilized some 300,000 volunteers to fight American and British invaders if they come.
Q: President (Pervez) Musharraf has made strong statements supporting the U.S.
A: He was my student in the army. He is a good man, but he doesn’t understand Islam. The army will never fight the masses. If push comes to shove, Musharraf will say no to the Americans rather than turn against the people..........
Q: Back to Osama’s terrorist network. Who was behind the bombing of the U.S. Embassies in Tanzania and Kenya?
A: Mossad is strong in both countries. Remember the Israeli operation to free hostages in Entebbe (Uganda)? Both Kenya and Tanzania were part of the logistical tail. A so-called associate of Osama was framed at Karachi airport.
"Further reports are that the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal leadership has been consulting with former ISI Chief Hamid Gul as well as former General Mirza Aslam Beg, both men who still wield considerable influence with Pakistan's military. Hamid Gul has been outspoken the last few days opening denouncing Pervez Musharraf's leadership and has warned Musharraf against using the same heavy-handed tactics in the pro-taliban militants in Waziristan..."
I think it is quite clear what Musharraf is doing - I'm only disgusted about this because I've been ranting about this for the last several years.
Be watching Mirza Aslam Beg closely now - he is either going to make his move soon or Musharraf will have him detained as well.
A strong-man military guy like Musharraf is probably the safest choice for Pakistan, and the world, right now.
The person most likely to screw Pakistan up is Condoleezza Rice.
I think I read something about him running to Iran recently. Tried to Google it an didn't come up with anything.
He is sure to be involved in Paki troubles if he can.
Is he dead yet?
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