Lawyers in Multan burn an effigy of President Bush during a

protest against U.S. attacks in Pakistan's tribal areas, Sept. 6.

U.S. forces have conducted a raid inside Pakistan in the first

known foreign ground assault in Pakistan against a suspected

Taliban haven. A good number of innocent civilians were killed.

 

 

Daily Jang, Pakistan

Civilian Deaths Justify Pakistan's Cutoff of NATO Supply Line

 

"The gesture from Pakistan is immensely important. The country simply cannot stand idly by and allow foreign invasions … For Washington, these deaths are nothing more than 'collateral damage.' For Pakistan, they amount to the senseless murder of innocent people."

 

EDITORIAL

 

September 7, 2008

 

Pakistan - Daily Jang - Original Article (English)

The trucks carrying goods and fuel to allied forces in Afghanistan through the Khyber agency border point at Torkham will no longer roll through each morning. In what is being interpreted as a response to last week's U.S. ground attack in South Waziristan which killed 20 people, including women and children, political authorities in Khyber have been issued orders to halt the supply line. Growing unrest in the tribal areas and the possibility of attacks on NATO vehicles is being cited by local authorities as a possible reason for the decision. But if indeed this measure has been taken to express anger over the American assault on Pakistan's territory, it seems strange the government hasn't seen fit to make a more open announcement. Instead, reports from Khyber have filtered through to the media. The orders have been issued verbally and there has been no clear-cut statement as to the reason. Public outrage over the killing of innocent civilians and the audacious violation of sovereignty is acute. The government must declare how it plans to counter these American actions. The cutting off of supplies would appear to be one way of doing so. 

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

At least it offers the government an opportunity to prove that something is being done. But it's uncertain how much cutting off supplies will hamper the U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan. It seems likely that alternative routes can be set up, even if it involves greater cost and more complex logistics. But for all this, the gesture from Pakistan is immensely important. The country simply cannot stand idly by and allow foreign invasions. The third U.S. attack in three days took place on September 5, when American planes bombed North Waziristan. Three children were among those killed. For Washington, these deaths are nothing more than "collateral damage." For Pakistan, they amount to the senseless murder of innocent people. The fury across northern areas is rising. Islamabad cannot allow such American actions to go unchallenged. The decision to stop the transport of goods is one step. It must also be backed by others so that the message gets through Washington's seemingly impenetrable walls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US September 7, 1:35am]