Pakistan Draws a Line with the U.S.A.

Musharraf recently responded in London to the American suggestion of military cooperation on Pakistani soil. According to this article from Pakistan’s Urdu-language newspaper, Daily Jang, his response was furious:

President Musharraf presented his stance clearly. His furious reply to the suggestion of the conditional dispatch of the U.S. forces in tribal areas [of Pakistan] was that Americans were already stuck in Afghanistan, so how could die they in the tribal areas and what magic wand did they possess to settle the situation there.

Of particular interest is that although Musharraf has been criticized extensively at home about his earlier acquiescence to the West in the war on terrorism, and about the way in which he wields his power as head of state, with respect to…

… sensitivity towards Pakistan’s survival, security and sovereignty… President Musharraf, the Armed Forces and the Pakistani people have same thinking … and all of them stand together

And the Pakistanis, historically proud of their armed forces, are quite clear as to who is responsible for successes against Al-qaeda:

The militant activities in Pakistan’s tribal and adjoining areas started by terrorists of Al-Qaeda, religious extremists and the victims of their brain-washing have been effectively countered by Pakistan’s armed forces with gallantry and bravery,

and therefore,

It is unthinkable for a foreign [American] army, fighting in air-conditioned tanks, to make such sacrifices

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