The U.S. has dropped $10 billion into Pakistani dictator Pervez Musharraf's lap -- much of it in cash. Allegedly, that's to fight the jihadists in his country and across his border. But, somehow, that mission does not involve hunting for Osama bin Laden.
Musharraf, in response to a 60 Minutes question about bin Laden, said, "We are not particularly looking for him, but we are operating against terrorists and Al Qaeda and militant Taliban. and in the process, obviously, combined, maybe we are looking for him also."
If that doesn't make your blood boil over, this will.
"Well, which other country has Osama bin Laden?" Logan replies.
"No, I challenge-- I don't accept that at all. There is no proof whatsoever that he is here in Pakistan," Musharraf says.
"But are you looking for him?" Logan asks.
"No, again, the same answer," Musharraf says. "We are not particularly looking for him but we are operating against terrorists and al Qaeda and militant Taliban. And in the process, obviously, it is combined, maybe we are looking for him also. Yes. If he's here?"
Musharraf was quick to blame Bhutto's assassination on al Qaeda, particularly a local extremist named Beitullah Mehsud, who operates out of Pakistan's lawless tribal region where both al Qaeda and the Taliban enjoy widespread support.
"Point two percent of our population is in South Waziristan and North Waziristan. Point two percent," Musharraf says.
"Well, that point two percent has be able to cause a lot of trouble," Logan remarks.
"Yes. We must not say that Taliban are in Pakistan. Pakistan, this is a frontier region. Two tribal agencies of Pakistan," Musharraf says.
"It's still inside Pakistan. Any way you look at it," Logan points out.
"But it's a small part the population and it is this population where they hide and they get support," Musharraf says.
"But they regrouped under…," Logan says.
"Yes, indeed," Musharraf says.
"…your watch?" Logan says.
"No, they regrouped because -- not under us. Because of Afghanistan. Okay?" Musharraf says.
"But under your term as president," Logan remarks.
"Yes. Yes, indeed," Musharraf acknowledges.
"They have regrouped and they are stronger than ever," Logan says.
"Well, Taliban. Yes. They may be. They may be getting stronger. I can’t say for sure," Musharraf says.
Asked if the U.S. shares any of the blame in this, Musharraf says, "Yes, of course. I mean everyone, the whole coalition should share the blame for not succeeding."
So we should share the blame for not getting Bin Laden because why again? I don't think I need to remind Musharraf of the incident where we tried to get Al-Qaeda's #2 guy al-zawahiri.
But just for the new people on, I'll explain. In early 2006, we had intel that al-zawahiri was in Pakistan and was at a specific spot. Once that was known, we struck. We missed. And yet, there was Musharraf, who has been giving token pushes against terrorists in his own country, trying to make it look like he was helping.
We've sunk $10 billion dollars into finding and killing the Al-Qaeda leadership. Even Bush has said that he's "not too interested" in finding Bin Laden. I want Bin Laden's head on a pike. Did we take our eye off the ball when we invaded Iraq? Perhaps we did. However, I don't care the cost or how many international incidents it causes. I want Al-Qaeda's leadership erased off the planet. Every day they are breathing is another slap in the face of the people who died on 9/11 and previous Al-Qaeda attack victims.
To give you an idea of how bad I want Bin Laden's blood: I would vote and campaign for Hillary Clinton if it would guarantee that Bin Laden was captured the next day. I despise her mother than any other politician, but if she said "Vote for me and you'll have Bin Laden tomorrow guaranteed", I'd reply with "Thank you Mrs. President".
But it fails to register in my head why Bush and Musharraf have seemingly given up the hunt for Bin Laden. They have to know he wants to cause more bloodshed. They have to know that he wants them dead. The only thing I can remotely think of is Pakistani Prime Minister Bhutto made a statement on how Bin Laden was murdered. I originally thought she had misspoken, but things have been known to turn around a lot. The latest Bin Laden video shows Bin Laden in a very different light. He looks different, he sounds different.
So is this a look alike? Was Bin Laden really murdered? If so, I want to shake the hand of the man who did it. Even if he is an Al-Qaeda member or worse.
When you want blood vengeance for a crime committed against you and your people, you focus solely on that goal. Everything falls to the wayside. I want my blood vengeance for 9/11.
But on the flip side, there's talk of pushing for more covert action within Pakistan.
Does the CIA get a nibble on the line? Something is going on here and I want answers and I want justice for the people who's only crime was they went to work, got on a plane, or were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. Anything less is completely unacceptable.
The United States now has about 50 soldiers in Pakistan. Any expanded operations using C.I.A. operatives or Special Operations forces, like the Navy Seals, would be small and tailored to specific missions, military officials said.
50. 50!!?!! For the entire country of Pakistan. I want 1,000 or more people in Pakistan looking for Al-Qaeda leaders. This is why we have not found Bin Laden. We don't have the amount of people needed in the country to get the job done. I'm not saying we should use a full military assault, but a more covert operation that the Pakistani public doesn't know about.
$10 billion dollars to Pakistan and it hasn't gotten us jack shit. Now it's time we start cashing in all the chips with Pakistan.
Travis
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