Friday, April 20, 2007

Meanwhile, in Pakistan

Things are going swimmingly for the Bush administration:

Islamabad - A Pakistani Taliban leader, who recently joined government forces to crush foreign militants near the border with Afghanistan, said Friday he would shelter al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, if he requested help. "I have never met bin Laden but if he comes to this area and seeks protection, we will help him according to the tribal laws and customs," Mullah Mohammed Nazir told reporters in the town of Wana in South Waziristan where hundreds died in fighting in the past month.

[snip] Musharraf is losing control of his country:

More than 300 foreign militants were killed by armed locals with help from Pakistani government forces, according to President Pervez Musharraf. Around 75 tribesmen also died.

However, some analysts say the hostilities that broke out on March 19 stemmed mainly from the wish of local Taliban leaders to gain full control of the area rather than helping the Pakistani government establish its authority there.

Hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters fled to Waziristan from Afghanistan after the US-led invasion in late 2001 and are now believed to operate training and logistics bases there with the help of local sympathizers.

Pakistan's government is under increasing US pressure to review the controversial peace deals and take other measures against the militants, who use alleged "safe havens" in Waziristan to mount attacks on Afghanistan.

No comments: