A militant of Pakistan's Army of Islam smiles for the camera at an

election rally last week in Bara, near the Kyber Pass and the Afghan

border. Will U.S. troops be facing off against he and his associates?

The Nation, Pakistan

U.S. Troops Must

Not Be Permitted

on Pakistan's Soil

"Tribesmen [in the Northwest Frontier Province] are already up in arms over our military campaign in their region. The presence of American troops would simply add fuel to the fire - and the consequences would be disastrous."

EDITORIAL

February 27, 2008

Pakistan - The Nation - Original Article (English)

CITING State Department officials, The Boston Globe has revealed that the Bush Administration would like to set up special coordination centers on the Pakistani side of the tribal belt - not only for the purposes of intelligence sharing - but to have 30 counterinsurgency experts on the ground to train elite Pakistani units in the fight against terrorists, and ultimately for conducting joint operations with Pakistani troops. The U.S. administration has already asked Congress for $453 million for the project, which also includes an aid package.

[Editor's Note: According to the Feb. 9 edition of the Asia Times, "Wana military airfield in South Waziristan and Miranshah airfield in North Waziristan have been upgraded from makeshift airstrips into proper runways with backup facilities, which indicate plans for a powerful air operation." The article, written by the Asia Times Pakistan Bureau chief Syed Saleem Shahzad, also says that U.S. forces have been deployed at Lowari Mandi and Ghulman Khan checkpoints (both on the Afghan side of the border near North Waziristan) and that a new military camp is being built near Shawal (North Waziristan), on the Afghan side ].

President Musharraf's endorsement of the plan, which sent a shock wave through the nation, undermines the firm stand Pakistan has taken against allowing U.S. troops on its soil since the start of the War on Terror. That's to say nothing about allowing them to operate directly from our territory. Interestingly, the timing of the plan coincides with waning political support for President Musharraf, which leads one to wonder whether his acquiescence is a desperate attempt to help his party cling on to power [Musharraf's party was trounced in Parliamentary elections last week].

American forces working with our elite units would be able to obtain strategically crucial information about our geography, and might eventually control these operations. Tribesmen [in the Northwest Frontier Province] are already up in arms over our military campaign in their region. The presence of American troops would simply add fuel to the fire - and the consequences would be disastrous.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

Historically, the United States has always been keen to protect its own interests to the detriment of the feelings of allies, and dumping them in the end. Even after extending its full cooperation for the past seven years, Pakistan is still being reprimanded for not doing enough and is accused of providing safe heaven to militants.

In addition, there is a dire need to understand the collective anger of people living in the tribal areas, who for years have been denied basic civic amenities.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

The Pakistan Armed Forces are considered one of the most professional in the world, and hardly require training from U.S. troops who for years now, have failed to stem the tide of militancy in Afghanistan and Iraq. The solution to the problem lies in long-term planning, which includes education and economic development, besides giving people their due in accordance with the Constitution. The idea of a joint military venture into our tribal areas must be sternly rejected.

[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US February 27, 4:25pm]