News from Pakistan

[dancinvixen]

<<<<<ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- As President Bush prepared to huddle again with his national security advisers, the government of Pakistan signaled Saturday it is willing to fulfill its pledge to "fully cooperate" with the United States in its war against the terrorist responsible for the World Trade Center and Pentagon terror attacks.

During a meeting with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf the Pakistani cabinet and security council voted unanimously to "help the international community fight terrorism." A spokesman said the government would immediately "hold consultations with the Pakistani people" to build a consensus for the decision.

The United States has given the Pakistan government a "wish list" of actions it wants Pakistan to take. Included on that list is allowing, if requested, U.S. warplanes access to Pakistani airspace.

The ruling Taliban government of Afghanistan threatened any neighboring country that allows its soil to be used to help the United States stage an attack on Afghanistan.

IN-DEPTH
Afghanistan under the Taliban



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CNN's Nic Robertson in Kabul on the Taliban's reaction to the U.S. attack
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VIDEO
Former Afghan minister blames the Taliban


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CNN's Nic Robertson has more on the developments in Afghanistan after the attacks on the U.S. (September 12)


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Statement from Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf





"If neighboring or regional countries, particularly Islamic countries, give a positive response to American demand for military bases, it would spark up extraordinary danger," said Taliban spokesman Sohail Shaheen in Islamabad. "Similarly, if any neighboring country gives territorial way or airspace to U.S.A. against our land, it would draw us into an imposed war."

There is widespread fear in Afghanistan that the United States will attack Afghanistan because suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden is said to be living as a "guest" in that country.

Friday, Secretary of State Colin Powell told Arab leaders from 15 nations to decide if they will stand with the United States or risk isolation.

Amr Moussa, the Arab League secretary general, said Arab nations stand with the United States but need to be consulted on what action the United States plans to take.

"The Arab nations do stand with President Bush, with the U.S. All countries are against international terrorism. We are very clear that we do reject any international crime of terrorism anywhere, and in particular what happened a couple days ago in the United States," said Moussa.

"We do understand and appreciate the stand taken by Bush that United States will not let go after it happened -- that we understand, but what could be done and what should be done, we stand ready to listen, to hear and to be consulted."
>>>>>


As written on CNN.com

 

[cymbidia]

I think Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan is a particularly nasty and obnoxious neighbor in Pakistan's eyes.

They have broken chairs and overflowing trash cans lying all over the front yard. They never mow the grass and really don't have to cuz it's all weeds. They have christmas decorations up all year. You hear them screaming at each other all day and night cuz they leave the doors and windows wide open. Their kids bully and scare your kids. They carry loaded guns around and do target practice in their backyard. They laugh and make crude comments when you complain politely, fearing for your children, your pets, yourself.

They're trash.

But they live next door.

Now someone has moved into the area, renting a big fancy house a few streets away, and wants you to go talk to those ugly neighbors. They want you to tell them to clean up, be quiet, and harness their kids. If you do it, the new neighbors will give you a shiny new car and all the rest of the neighbors will really, really like you.

But that new neighbor lives over a few streets, and is only renting the house. Maybe they're going to move again, maybe soon.

And you'll still be living next door to the scary trashy neighbor.

No wonder Pakistan is scared.


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I support the US using whatever leverage is requied to acquire the airspace and staging areas we need to do whatever is deemed appropriate to completely decimate the terrorists responsible for the WTC/Pentagon attacks.

I support the US ferreting out and decimating terrorist organizations worldwide, including those operating from US soil and composed of US citizens.

I feel sorry for the small, weak countries full of defenseless people that we're going to have to bulldoze out of our way, though, as we do this thing that so needs doing.

 

[shadowsource]

Cym -

The fact is that Pakistan has always made it possible for Taliban to start up, and then to survive. The few banks are Pakistani, the money they use is Pakistani, their few goods all come via Pakistan. Pakistan's a pretty hopeless place, with a huge population that is ever more fanatical; a medical lecturer is about to be put to death for telling his class that Mohammed was not a practicing Muslim until Allah told him the score, which is obviously true, but will cost this man his life. Cooperating with us might destroy the government, but their government is a tinhorn general who tried to start a war with India a few years ago and then seized power. Pakistan is one of the most frightening and dangerous places on earth and whatever we do there will probably trigger a horrible response.

 

[Cherry]

Why wouldn't Pakistan be afraid ...

The leader of Afghanistan's Taliban regime has warned Muslims all over the world to be ready for a holy war to defend the Islamic faith.

Mullah Mohammad Omar says all Muslims should defend Afghanistan and should be ready for anything to make a sacrifice for Islam.

Speaking on the Taliban Voice of Shariat Radio, Mr Omar has urged Afghans to prepare for a US assault and stand steadfast against the enemy.

The Taliban also vowed to take revenge against any country which attacked it.

"Death comes to everyone. We must stand proud as Afghans in the defence of Islam," Mr Omar said.

"Believe in God, for with the grace of God the American rockets will go astray and we will be saved."

In his radio address, Mr Omar said he would die rather than back down. "I am not afraid of death or of losing power. I am willing to give up power and my seat, but I'm not willing to give up Islam," he said. "We shall be victorious."

He also stated: "Be ready for jihad (holy war). Each Muslim should ready for a jihad against this and be ready for his religion if there is a need for him to sacrifice himself for Islam and his belief, and make a sacrifice for the symbol of belief in Islam."

The Taliban said earlier they would attack any neighbour which gave assistance to US strikes on their country.

"If a neighbouring country allows its soil or its air to be used in an attack against Afghanistan...in that case the possibility cannot be ruled out that we attack that country," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued in Kabul.

"We'll be forced to send our mujahideen into their territory...they will be responsible for the consequences."

The statement is seen as a veiled threat to Pakistan, which has been asked by the US to allow military aircraft to fly through its territory if airstrikes are ordered against Afghanistan.

Pakistan is officially considering its response to the list of US demands for a possible attack, according to official sources.

The list includes a US request to base a multinational force in Pakistan.

However, according to a senior US official and Pakistani sources, Pakistan has agreed to the use of its airspace in a strike on Afghanistan by a multinational force, and to co-operate in intelligence gathering, .

They have also agreed to cut off fuel supplies to Afghanistan.

Pakistan's Cabinet and the National Security Council are due to meet to formulate a formal response to the United States, the sources said.

They say the United States is seeking a "comprehensive strike" to wipe out the Taliban and a network of suspected terrorist bases in Afghanistan.

The US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell said he is awaiting a response from Pakistan over the request. No deadline has been set for a response.

Mr Powell said he was very encouraged that Pakistan was taking the US requests seriously.

 

[CFOL]

I don't believe Pakistan is doing this out of any sense of "goodness, but rather they took a look around and found out they were alone in the world. That is not an easy feeling to deal with.