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Musharraf's revelation

Pervez Musharraf's revelation that the U.S. threatened to bomb Pakistan if it did not cooperate with America's campaign against the Taliban after September 11 (Sept. 22) comes as no surprise. Read in the context of George W. Bush's latest statement that the U.S. will have no hesitation in sending its troops to Pakistan if there is credible intelligence about Osama bin Laden's presence in the country, it is clear that Washington has taken Islamabad's permission to enter its territory for granted. There is no doubt that the U.S. sees Pakistan as the nerve-centre of terrorist activity.

N. Nagesh,
Chennai

* * *

Gen. Musharraf's revelation is indeed shocking. That the U.S. had no hesitation in declaring a country that it threatened to destroy as a frontline ally shows it does not consider any country an ally. Its policy is dictated only by selfish considerations.

Pratish Thakur,
Guntur, A.P.

* * *

President Musharraf has lost no time in announcing that he will not allow Pakistan's sovereignty to be breached. Understandably so. The capture of Osama, dead or alive, in his country will expose Pakistan as a terrorist haven.

K.V. Seetharamaiah,
Hassan, Karnataka

* * *

Mr. Bush's statement is welcome. Better late than never, Mr. Bush. At last, the U.S. seems to have understood the ground reality. It should, however, ensure that it does not over-react leading to a full-fledged war.

H.P. Murali,
Bangalore

* * *

The `global war on terror' has lost its direction, giving the Taliban a new lease of life in Afghanistan. It has led to terrorism spreading across the globe. Most importantly, the face of terror — Osama bin Laden, for nabbing whom the war began — remains as elusive as ever. The war has only allowed Pakistan to play its twin role, of aiding the U.S. in its `war against terror' and abetting global terrorism, to perfection. It is time our leaders adopted a more sustained, intolerant, and holistic approach to tackling terrorism.

V. Rajesh,
Mumbai

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