Embattled, U.S.-backed Pakistani Pres. Pervez Musharraf Saturday warned Barack Obama that if he wins the White House, he'd have to change his policies towards Pakistan.
Musharraf, whom President Bush considers one of America's closest allies in the war on terrorism, denied that Bush gives orders to Pakistan, a charge that's constantly leveled against both men.
The Pakistani president also used his first press conference in six months to reject speculation that he's about to be forced out of office, rumors that have grown so strong that Bush called him at the end of last month to pledge continued American support. Musharraf came out fighting, saying that he isn't willing to accept the newly elected Pakistani government's plan to reduce him to a ceremonial role.
"I can't become a useless vegetable," said Musharraf, looking relaxed and confident. "I am elected as president of Pakistan constitutionally. I cannot preside over the downfall of Pakistan."
Responding to a question about Obama, who's advocated shifting America's military focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Musharraf said that the Democratic contender had based his statements on "incomplete information, which will always be wrong".
Although Taliban and al Qaida extremists have found refuge in Pakistan's tribal region bordering Afghanistan, U.S. ground troops in Afghanistan have kept off Pakistani soil. Unmanned U.S. aircraft, however, have fired missiles at targets in Pakistan, killing suspected militants but also some innocent civilians.
In an address in March, Obama broke with Bush's policy. "We cannot tolerate a sanctuary for terrorists who threaten America's homeland and Pakistan's stability," he said. "If we have actionable intelligence about high-level al Qaida targets in Pakistan's border region, we must act if Pakistan will not or cannot."
This is one of the few issues that Obama and I are in complete agreement with. If Pakistan can't or more importantly, won't, do anything about the threat of terrorists within their country, then we need to step up and capture or kill them. Since they won't allow US soldiers in Pakistan, we'll kill them. Which is pretty much ok in my book. I seem to remember George W. Bush saying that "we will not distinguish between countries that harbor terrorists, and the terrorists themselves". Kind of puts things in perspective doesn't it? Here we have a country that won't allow us to come in, looking for terrorists, yet, drags its collective feet when dealing with them. Making "peace" agreements with them and other such nonsense.
Remember Musharraf, you were brought to power by a coup, and you can be removed by a coup. Perhaps you should play ball with us eh?
Travis
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