Musharraf Speaks To The Democrat Candidates
“When these people get access to that kind of intelligence, I am sure they will not take a different approach than their predecessor. Why would they want to do something to destabilise us, a nuclear power?” He sought a change of strategy in Afghanistan, favouring “political overtures” to win over the majority Pashtuns.
“When I came on the scene in 1999, I told everyone, including President Bill Clinton…that the best strategy against the Taliban is to recognise them and try to change them from within. Nobody agreed.
“Then came the problems with Osama bin Laden. Everybody asked me to help the West to get him arrested or deported, but by then it was too late. I sent four or five missions to Mullah Omar from here, without any result,” he said.
Musharraf is worried about US intervention. Bush has given free reign to Musharraf’s strtegy concerning the Taliban and Bin Laden. Now he’s worried that this convenient arrangement has run its course. Democrats have made it clear this arrangement is no longer viable and will take action “as soon as actionable intelligence” is presented.
The Pakistani leader, in an interview to German daily ‘Der Spiegel’, that said while he does not deny that al-Qaeda is carrying out terrorism in the tribal areas, “one thing is for sure; the fanatics can never take over Pakistan.” Musharraf, who described US President George W Bush as a “friend” he will “miss very much” after his tenure ends, said he would never allow US forces to operate on Pakistan’s soil.
Musharraf must be very worried that his Bush buddies will no longer be able to protect him. Sixty years of back room deals with the US agenda will end and pull his magic cloak of protection away. That is why he is taking a whirlwind trip across Europe, this month, to try and build replacement protection. Musharraf is at wits end. Pakistan will speak loudly if the elections are truly transparent.
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