Guardian Utd (July 27): Musharraf 's terrorist claims are dismissed

[Jack Rabbit]

From the Guardian Unlimited (UK)
Dated Wednesday July 27

Musharraf 's terrorist claims are dismissed
Fine balancing act may be backfiring
By Declan Walsh in Islamabad

President Pervez Musharraf's declaration that he has "completely shattered" al-Qaida in Pakistan was met yesterday with deep scepticism from diplomats, analysts and opposition politicians.

As the hunt for the network behind the London bombings intensifies, he bristled at suggestions that Pakistan was a global hub for al-Qaida. "Our military, police and other law enforcement agencies have completely shattered al-Qaida's vertical and horizontal links," he told a press briefing on Monday. "It no longer has any command, communication and propaganda structure in Pakistan."

Critics say he is wrong. "It's just window dressing. He says al-Qaida's back is broken after every major operation. It always turns out to be wrong," said Afrasiab Khattak, a human rights activist and opposition politician in Peshawar. A western diplomat in Islamabad said Gen Musharraf had failed to deliver on similar promises after September 11. "Wait until you see, the same thing will happen this time," she said.

But Gen Musharraf, a key western ally, is playing a delicate balancing game, and points to anti-terror successes. Since 2001 Pakistan has arrested more than 700 al-Qaida suspects including Abu Faraj al-Libbi, the alleged number three captured near Peshawar last May.

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[JDPriestly]

1. With friends like these, . . . .

[wli]

2. probably a bunch of goat-herders tortured into confessing

"Al Qaeda" is the US-controlled mujahadeen from Afghanistan. If they had captured any they would be under pressure from the US to release their covert agents.