The Hindu : Front Page : Pakistan warns U.S. against strikes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007
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Pakistan warns U.S. against strikes

Nirupama Subramanian

U.S. has hinted it is considering military action against Al-Qaeda bases in north-west

ISLAMABAD: Hints from the United States that it is considering military strikes in Pakistan against suspected Al-Qaeda bases has evoked sharp reaction from Islamabad, reiterating its determination and military capability to handle the threat on its own and warning that any unilateral action by Washington would be “unacceptable,” “ill-conceived” and “deeply resented.”

Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said Islamabad would not allow any attack by the U.S. on its territory. “Pakistan can handle its own requirements of troops. We do not need any other troops from anywhere to come and help. The sovereignty, integrity and security is the responsibility of Pakistan.”

He added: “We are very capable of defending ourselves and securing ourselves. We believe we can handle our responsibilities and continue to cooperate with everybody.”

Earlier, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a regular briefing that any attack inside Pakistan’s territory would be “unacceptable.”

On Sunday, U.S. Homeland Security Adviser Frances Townsend said in interviews on CNN and Fox News that the administration’s “job number 1 is to protect the American people and there are no options off the table.”

But she also said the first choice was to back President Musharraf’s efforts and praised him as a strong ally of the U.S. in the war on terror.

Ms. Townsend’s remarks came after a week of public statements by U.S. officials and media reports hinting at military action inside Pakistan following the release of the National Intelligence Estimate last Tuesday, which said the Al-Qaeda had found “safe haven” in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

The statements, viewed here as virtual threats of military action inside Pakistani territory, have come at a time when President Musharraf is grappling with multiple problems.

On the one side is the surge in militancy in the north-west frontier areas linked to the deployment of additional troops in the region during the commando operation against militants in the capital’s Lal Masjid, combined with the stubborn popular belief that more people — “hundreds” — died during the assault than the Government is willing to admit.

On the other is the huge political setback from last week’s verdict in the Supreme Court reinstating Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary, four months after President Musharraf suspended him on charges of misconduct.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said it was in Pakistan’s own interests to prevent the regrouping of the Al-Qaeda inside Pakistani territory.

‘Osama in Pakistan’

PTI reports from London:

U.S intelligence chief Mike McConnell on Monday said Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was alive and hiding in Pakistan along the country’s border with Afghanistan.

He also blamed the Musharraf Government of allowing the Al-Qaeda to regroup in Pakistan.

“My view is that he’s alive,” said Mr. McConnell on NBC television when asked about bin Laden.

“I believe he is in the tribal region of Pakistan.”

Mr. Kasuri reacted angrily to the charge and dared the U.S. to provide evidence.

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