Posted on 06/15/2008 11:39:53 PM PDT by Coffee200am
Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's president, escalated tensions with neighbouring Pakistan yesterday by threatening to send troops across the border to hunt down the Taliban's leadership.
Karzai said his country had the right to defend itself against insurgents crossing from bases inside Pakistan's tribal belt.
"When they cross the territory from Pakistan to come and kill Afghans and kill coalition troops, it exactly gives us the right to go back and do the same," he told journalists in Kabul.
"Baitullah Mehsud should know that we will go after him now and hit him in his house," he said, referring to the militant leader accused of orchestrating the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
"And the other fellow, Mullah Omar of Pakistan, should know the same," he added, referring to the Taliban's leader.
Karzai's language and message was aggressive, even by the testy standards of Afghan-Pakistani relations.
Yousaf Raza Gilani, Pakistan's prime minister, responded firmly, saying he would "[not] allow anyone to interfere in our national limits and our affairs", and insisting that a stable Afghanistan was in Pakistan's interests.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Will Smith (Men in Black) said it better: "If you don't start nothing, there won't be nothing."
Karzai only looks like a fool when he verbally threatens a state that is larger, better armed, and has a well functioning military - unlike his own. A better way would be to increase cooperation with Pakistan, and make it politically painful for Pakistan to do nothing against the Taliban. But threats ... Pakistani generals thrive on threats, they receive them from all their neighbors now.
“Pakistan on its own holds India back”
Pakistan cannot hold India back. Its weak Indian govts, US pressure etc that hold India back. Remember US made pakistan a major ally after 9/11. US is feeding the snake now by donating f’16s and what not. Pakistan on its own can barely fart.
‘Pakistan on its own can barely fart.’
Yes, but it farts louder than the Afghan’s. LOL
Mel
“Pakistan on its own holds India back, and that is something”
Holds India back? Am I to understand that you think India is some sort of threat that needs to be held in check by Pakistan? LOL Perhaps you should go live in Pakistan if you think it’s so wonderful.
>>Yes, but it farts louder than the Afghan’s. LOL
Let them! if they have the guts to do so. Remember NATO troops are still there in afghanistan.
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