Pakistan: Little incentive to nab bin Laden

[sabra]

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http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/07/11/news/edrashid.php

Pakistan: Little incentive to nab bin Laden
Ahmed Rashid International Herald Tribune

TUESDAY, JULY 12, 2005


LAHORE, Pakistan The terrifying spectacle of a great city once again plunged into chaos and grief underlines one of the more glaring failures of the U.S.-led war on terrorism: the failure to capture Osama bin Laden.

Washington has mainly itself to blame. By transferring resources, satellite surveillance and manpower to Iraq, the United States not only took the pressure off bin Laden, but also gave the Taliban, Al Qaeda, drug barons and warlords time and space to reconstitute themselves in Afghanistan, where insurgent attacks are causing the bloodiest summer since 2001.

But there are good reasons why some of America's frustration over this situation has recently been directed at Pakistan, which is feeling increasing U.S. pressure to get serious in catching bin Laden.

Gone are the days when U.S. officials said vaguely that bin Laden was somewhere on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Vice President Dick Cheney and the CIA director, Porter Goss, have said that they know where bin Laden is and he is not in Afghanistan - implying he is in Pakistan. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. ambassador to Kabul who is now in the U.S envoy in Baghdad, has been more blunt and said that bin Laden is in Pakistan.

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[allemand]

1. Ahmed Rashid's conclusion is also important:

"The carnage in London on Thursday may be a long way from the machinations of South Asian politics, but the fact is that until the world's leaders take into account the fears that drive Pakistan's leaders and military - including the perceived threat from India - terrorism and extremism will continue to find fertile ground there."

Ahmed Rashid also has a guest column on the BBC News website:

Rival aims hinder war on terror

A complex three way game between the US, Pakistan and Afghanistan is undermining the war on terror and hindering nation and democracy building, writes journalist Ahmed Rashid in his latest guest column for the BBC News website.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4637183.stm

He has written excellent books on Central Asia and the Taliban.

[ugarte]

2. Like anyone believes U.S. intelligence

The CIA is the laughingstock of the world, thanks to BushCo.

[Toots]

3. where bin Laden is and he is not in Afghanistan - implying he is in Pakis

I did not get their implication if there was one. I distinctly got the feeling they were referring to Iran and not Pakistan. I guess i am not as observant as others.