U.S. Gave Troops ok to enter Pakistan in 04.

[illinoisprogressive]

SAN FRANCISCO -- Newly uncovered "rules of engagement" show the U.S. military gave elite units broad authority more than three years ago to pursue suspected terrorists into Pakistan, with no mention of telling the Pakistanis in advance.

The documents obtained by The Associated Press offer a detailed glimpse at what U.S. Army Rangers and other terrorist-hunting units were authorized to do earlier in the war on terror. And interviews with military officials suggest some of those same guidelines have remained in place, such as the right to "hot pursuit" across the border.

Pakistan, a key U.S. partner in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, has long viewed such incursions as a threat to its sovereignty. Islamabad protested loudly this month when Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama pledged to grant U.S. forces the authority to unilaterally penetrate Pakistan in the hunt for terrorist leaders
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/08/25/military/16_02-028_23_07.txt

[MannyGoldstein]

1. If They're Going After Al Qaeda, Even The UN Agrees That We Can Go After Them In Pakistan

(If Pakistan can't or won't do it themselves.)

Al Qaeda attacked us. They are trying to attack us again.

Iraq was an astonishingly-stupid adventure. But Al Qaeda attacked us, and we should go after them.

[Taverner]

2. Aye

[global1]

3. And They Tried To Criticize Obama For His Remarks On This Subject.......nt

[KeepItReal]

4. If the document is from April 2004, what gives? Bin Laden escaped to Pakistan in Dec. 2001.

Who's making a run for the border from NATO troops and getting away?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Tora_Bora