Musharraf: I Would Not Have Allowed US Operation

What a sniveling little piece of shit this guy is. Hey, asshole, if we kept your countrymen in the loop the scumbag bin Laden would still be alive. Excuse my harsh language but it's people like this who prevented us from getting bin Laden all these years.

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday said the United States had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty by sending in Special Forces to kill Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

US President Barack Obama had ordered the raid by a small team of US Special Forces, which found Laden, who had evaded capture for a decade, in a home in a fortified compound in Abbottabad city, located 50 kilometres northeast of Islamabad and 150 kilometres east of Peshawar.

“America coming to our territory and taking action is a violation of our sovereignty. Handling and execution of the operation (by US forces) is not correct. The Pakistani government should have been kept in the loop,” Musharraf told an Indian news channel.

Yes, I'm sure if we tipped them off nobody would have said a word, right?

Pakis Turn on bin Laden, Poll Numbers Approaching Reid-Pelosi Levels

More devastating news for Harry Reid and the forces of anti-Americanism.

We're the good guys, not the terrorists.

Sympathy for al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden and the Taliban has dropped sharply in Pakistan amid a wave of deadly violence, according to the results of a recent opinion poll.

The survey, conducted last month for the U.S.-based Terror Free Tomorrow organization, also identified the party of assassinated opposition leader Benazir Bhutto as the country's most popular ahead of Feb. 18 elections, and said most Pakistanis want President Pervez Musharraf to quit.

The poll suggests Pakistanis are looking to peaceful opposition groups after months of political turmoil and a wave of suicide attacks.

In the latest bloodshed, a bomber blew himself up at an opposition rally in the northwestern town of Charsadda on Saturday, killing 27 people and injuring 50.

According to the poll results only 24 percent of Pakistanis approved of bin Laden when the survey was conducted last month, compared with 46 percent during a similar survey in August.

Backing for al-Qaida, whose senior leaders are believed to be hiding along the Pakistani-Afghan border, fell to 18 percent from 33 percent.

Support for the Taliban, whose Pakistani offshoots have seized control of much of the lawless border area and have been engaged in a growing war against security forces, dropped by half to 19 percent from 38 percent, the results said.

So only 19% approve? Why, those are exactly the same numbers Dingy Harry was pulling in during 2007. Meanwhile, the Pelosi-led Congress is now at a mere 22%.

I believe this calls for change.

Useless UN 'Watchdog' Fears for Pakistan Nuke Arsenal

The clueless stooge Mohamed ElBaradei, who's twiddled his thumbs while the Iranians move full-steam toward acquiring nulear weapons, now frets that Al Qaeda could seize Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

Though I'm sure he'll be happy to sit down with them and convince them to only use them for peaceful purposes.

THE head of the UN atomic watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei warned yesterday that al-Qa'ida could use the deepening political and security crisis in Pakistan to seize the country's nuclear arsenal.

"I fear that chaos ... or an extremist regime could take root in that country, which has 30 to 40 warheads," the Egyptian-born Mr ElBaradei told the pan-Arab daily al-Hayat.

There has been worldwide concern over the security of Pakistan's nuclear warheads since President Pervez Musharraf imposed a national state of emergency in November.

Mr Musharraf said in December that Pakistan's nuclear weapons were under control.

But in unusual public comments, Mr ElBaradei said he was "worried that nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of an extremist group in Pakistan or in Afghanistan".

The intervention by the UN nuclear chief, on the eve of a visit to Iran, comes amid growing apprehension about the way jihadi militants linked to al-Qa'ida and the Taliban have cut a swath through Pakistan, seeking to take advantage of the country's political turmoil.

The militants are particularly active in remote areas where Pakistan's estimated 50 nuclear warheads are believed to be deployed, though officials in Islamabad have insisted there is no threat to their security or the country's arsenal.

There have been reports of deepening concern in Washington about the safety of the nuclear arsenal.

In her last major interview before her assassination, former prime minister Benazir Bhutto expressed concern that "al-Qa'ida could be marching on Islamabad in two to four years".

Most reassuring.

UPDATE: Here's another comforting thought: New Taliban Leader: More Dangerous Than Bin Laden?

New al Qaeda Plot Against Musharraf Revealed

As Pervez Musharraf granted himself more powers, a new plot against him by al Qaeda was revealed.

INTELLIGENCE authorities in Karachi yesterday claimed to have uncovered an al-Qa'ida plot to blow up Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf as the leader granted himself sweeping new powers over Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

The alleged plot was disclosed only hours before the state of emergency imposed by Mr Musharraf last month was due to be lifted.

It also coincided with the publication of a poll conducted by US Republican Party researchers that underlined the extent of Mr Musharraf's unpopularity ahead of next month's general election.

The report incorrectly notes it's the Republican Party that issued this report, when in actuality it's a group called the International Republican Institute. Whatever the case, that's a bad error.

It continues.

The poll, by the International Republican Institute and reported in The New York Times, suggests 67 per cent of Pakistanis want Mr Musharraf to resign immediately and 70 per cent say that his Government does not deserve re-election.

It also found that Washington and London's hopes for a power-sharing alliance between Mr Musharraf and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto is opposed by 60 per cent of Pakistanis.

The poll's main findings confirm assessments attributed to Pakistan's intelligence agencies that while the branch of the Pakistan Muslim League aligned with Mr Musharraf may emerge as the largest single party in the election, Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party and Nawaz Sharif's own branch of the PML will do well, with hardline religious parties holding the balance of power.

Yesterday, Mr Musharraf passed a law granting himself ultimate control over the country's National Command Authority, which is in charge of all aspects of the country's nuclear arsenal and use of its nuclear technology.

The assassination plot, it was claimed, was to blow up an entire bridge on the city's Drig Road that would be used by Mr Musharraf on a visit to Karachi.

Pakistani news agencies quoted officials as saying the plot involved a fall-back plan for two follow-up attacks in case the first attempt to kill Mr Musharraf failed.

They said interrogation of suspects involved in the alleged plot had revealed plans for attacks on foreign diplomatic missions, and last night security on these and other strategic buildings across Pakistan was significantly increased.

Mr Musharraf, 64, has survived a series of attempts on his life since he seized power in 1999, the last being in July when an anti-aircraft gun was fired at his aircraft as it took off from Rawalpindi.

Earlier yesterday, al-Qa'ida- and Taliban-linked suicide bombers were blamed for two separate attacks on a military checkpoint at the army garrison in Quetta, capital of the troubled province of Balochistan, which left at least 10 soldiers dead and more than 22 wounded.

Meanwhile, the Washington Times today notes that a baby was rigged with a bomb in an attempt to kill Benazir Bhutto back in October, a story we noted last month.

Attempted Bhutto Assassin Strapped Bombs to Baby

Another day, another horrifying account of the sheer savagery some people will stoop to in the name of their warped ideology.

KARACHI: The Oct 19 bombing on Benazir Bhutto’s procession in Karachi which killed over 170 people, was carried out by a person who used a one-year-old child strapped with fatal bombs, sources close to the PPP leader said.

The bomber repeatedly tried to carry the child to the back of Benazir’s truck and hand over the infant to either Benazir Bhutto or any other PPP leader on the truck but something always prevented him from reaching close by.

More here.

Meanwhile, horrifying new details emerged last night of the attempt by suicide bombers to kill Ms Bhutto on her return home from exile last month.

Investigators from Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party said yesterday they believed the bomb, which killed 170 people and left hundreds more wounded, was strapped to a one-year-old child carried by its jihadist father.

They said the suicide bomber tried repeatedly to carry the baby to Ms Bhutto's vehicle as she drove in a late-night cavalcade through the streets of Karachi.

"At the point where the bombs exploded, Benazir Bhutto herself saw the man with the child and asked him to come closer so that she could hug or kiss the infant," investigators were reported as saying. "But someone came in between and a guard felt that the man with the child was not behaving normally. So the child was not allowed to come aboard Benazir's vehicle."

Ms Bhutto is said to have told investigators she recalls the face of the man who was carrying the infant. She has asked to see recordings made by television news channels to try to identify the man.

This news came as Pervez Musharraf was summoned to Saudi Arabia to receive marching orders from his benefactors.

PAKISTANI military ruler General Pervez Musharraf rushed to Riyadh for crisis talks with his Saudi royal family benefactors yesterday as his emergency rule came under threat from caretaker officials ordering the release of thousands of detained political workers and lawyers.

The officials, appointed to run the country's national and provincial governments ahead of elections scheduled for January 8, were expected to do no more than maintain the status quo until the poll.

But last night, led by interim prime minister Mohammedmian Soomro, their first action involved ordering the immediate release of thousands detained in the security crackdown that followed the declaration of the state of emergency on November 3.

UPDATE: Hot Air links. Also at LGF.

Cross-posted at A Tangled Web.

Also here.

Bhutto Placed Under House Arrest

The situation in Pakistan continues to deteriorate, and now opposition leader Benzir Bhutto has been placed under house arrest.

Pakistani police placed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto under house arrest Friday, uncoiling barbed wire in front of her Islamabad villa, and reportedly rounded up thousands of her supporters to block a mass protest against emergency rule.

Bhutto twice tried to leave in her car, telling police: "Do not raise hands on women. You are Muslims. This is un-Islamic." They responded by blocking her way with an armored vehicle.

The former prime minister had planned to defy a ban on public gatherings and address a rally in nearby Rawalpindi, where police used tear gas and batons to chase off hundreds of supporters who staged wildcat protests and hurled stones. Dozens were arrested.

Further afield, a suicide bombing at the home of a government minister in the northwestern city of Peshawar killed four people. Minister for Political Affairs Amir Muqam was unhurt.

The attack underscored the threat posed by religious extremists in this Islamic nation that President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Bhutto are sparring over. It was cited by Musharraf as the primary reason for imposing the state of emergency last Saturday.

Welcome Back: Now Get Out

You get the feeling Islamic Rage Boy isn't going to like this.


Pakistan deports ex-PM on return

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been deported within hours of returning from exile.

After arriving at Islamabad airport he was arrested on charges of money laundering and put on a plane which later landed in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Sharif says he wants to challenge President Pervez Musharraf, who ousted him in a 1999 coup, ahead of elections.

Mr Sharif arrived in Pakistan weeks after the country's Supreme Court affirmed his right to return.

On board the plane which flew him to Pakistan from London, Mr Sharif told the BBC he wanted to help restore the rule of law.

"It's democracy versus dictatorship," he said.

Once the plane arrived in Islamabad, paramilitary troops surrounded it and there was a stand-off on board as Mr Sharif refused to hand over his passport to immigration officials for nearly two hours.

Eventually he agreed to leave the plane and was escorted to the airport's VIP lounge.

But shortly afterwards, he was separated from his entourage, returned to the tarmac and put on board a helicopter. Later, he was transferred to a plane bound for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Nice Move, Obama

This is what happens when lightweight Democrats try and pretend they know what the hell they're doing when it comes to foreign policy.

Pakistan may declare state of emergency

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The government of embattled Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said Thursday it may impose a state of emergency because of "external and internal threats" and deteriorating law and order in the volatile northwest near the Afghan border.

Tariq Azim, minister of state for information, said some sentiment coming from the United States, including from Democratic presidential hopeful Barak [sic] Obama, over the possibility of U.S. military action against al-Qaida in Pakistan "has started alarm bells ringing and has upset the Pakistani public."

So much respect this clown get, they can't even spell his name right. Granted, Obama's buffoonery isn't the cause of all Pakistan's woes, but it didn't do anything to help at such a crucial time for Musharraf.

But it appeared the motivation for a declaration of an emergency would be the domestic political woes of Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the war on terrorism who took power in a 1999 coup.

His popularity has dwindled and his standing has been badly shaken by a failed bid to oust the country's chief justice — an independent-minded judge likely to rule on expected legal challenges to the Musharraf's bid to seek a new five-year presidential term this fall.

At the latest Democrat panderfest in Chicago, Obama did try and backtrack.

On Tuesday night, Obama appeared to soften his position during a debate with other Democratic presidential hopefuls.

"I did not say that we would immediately go in unilaterally. What I said was that we have to work with Musharraf, because the biggest threats to American security right now are in the northwest provinces of Pakistan."

Obama and his spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday on Pakistan's possible declaration of a state of emergency.

How convenient.

Mueller Predicts Terrorists With Nukes

Of course, such a proclamation will be met with ridicule on the left, he'll be accused of stoking fears, they'll question the timing (to distract us from Alberto Gonzales!) and say none of this would ever have happened had we not launched an illegal, imperialist war for oil.

Do I know these people or what?

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III yesterday said that it was only a matter of time and economics before terrorists will be able to purchase nuclear weapons and that the world's law-enforcement community must unite to prevent it.

"Our greatest weapon is unity," Mr. Mueller said at the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism law-enforcement conference in Miami. "That unity is built on intelligence and interagency cooperation. It is built on the idea that, together, we are smarter and stronger than we are standing alone."

Unity. What a concept! Would be nice if we had some in this country, nevermind around the globe. Yet when you have a party hellbent on destroying the President and all those around him, notably the chief law enforcement officer in the land, unity is a pipedream. I honestly believe some on the left wouldn't mind seeing cities in smoldering ruins if it meant political harm to George W. Bush.

Mr. Mueller said the economics of supply and demand dictate that someone, somewhere will provide nuclear material to the highest bidder, and that material will end up in the hands of terrorists. He said the al Qaeda terrorist network has demonstrated a clear intent to acquire weapons of mass destruction, noting that Osama bin Laden sought to buy uranium in Sudan in 1993.

But, he said, al Qaeda is not the only concern, adding that the United States faces threats from other terrorist cells around the world and from homegrown terrorists not affiliated with al Qaeda but who have been inspired by its message of hatred and violence.

"Several rogue nations -- and even individuals -- seek to develop nuclear capabilities," he said. "Abdul Khan, for example, was not only the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb; he peddled that technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran. Khan was one of many to prove that it is indeed a seller's market in the so-called atomic bazaar."

Speaking of Pakistan, things appear to be looking bleak for Pervez Musharraf, as reported today by Eli Lake in the New York Sun.

As a political crisis boils in Pakistan, American analysts both inside and outside the government are expressing new doubts that President Musharraf will be able to hold onto power through the summer.

Over the past month, the military regime in Islamabad has faced a rising threat of violent jihadis in its capital, as well as the struggle between the president and the suspended chief justice of the country, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. The twin challenges have led some analysts in the American intelligence community to begin questioning whether Pakistan's military, traditionally General Musharraf's most reliable ally, will support the current regime for much longer.

A Musharraf exit could deal a stinging blow to America in the war on terrorism. President Bush has lavished the Pakistani leader with arms sales and low-interest loans while keeping mum on his spotty human rights record. The logic has been that the former general, who himself came to power in a 1999 military coup, had dismantled his pre-September 11, 2001, policy of supporting the Taliban and would be the best possible option for American interests in Pakistan.

UPDATE: I noticed this item from the Washington Post about Mueller using a corporate jet. Priorities. Forget about being nuked, let's hound the guy over this instead.

Also check out After the Bomb at the New York Times. Ironic how a newspaper that never saw a national security secret it wouldn't leak is now concerned with the fallout, so to speak.

Musharraf's Shaky Future

Pakistan may be facing an ugly future when and if Pervez Musharraf's reign ends, and at the current rate, that may be sooner than we hope, according to the Los Angeles Times report today.

Musharraf's supporters are widely blamed for bloody street fighting this month in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, which killed more than 45 people, many of them workers for opposition political parties. And the general's once-polished speeches and public statements lately have taken on a tone that alternates between shrill accusations and near-tearful pleas for understanding.

Longtime political allies are beginning to distance themselves from the 63-year-old Pakistani leader. And although top generals appear to be standing by him, even government ministers are silent in the face of withering criticism of his rule, or offering only tepid support.

"His position has become untenable, unsustainable," said author and analyst Ahmed Rashid.

"I don't see how he can hang on," said journalist Zahid Hussain.

Musharraf faces stark choices, analysts say. He could hunker down and try to ride out the crisis, or move to declare martial law. He could seek to strike a deal with opposition figures, who are likely to spurn him. Or he could step aside.

Having twice survived assassination attempts several years ago, staying in power under martial law will present challenges and could lead to much wider strife.

Of course, the bleak scenario envisioned from our end is having a Taliban-style rule in power armed with nukes, though that may not be the future.

The conventional wisdom has always held that Musharraf is a bulwark against Islamic fundamentalists, and that without him, the country could slide into a chaos that extremist groups would exploit.

But opposition parties insist that free and fair elections could instead empower a moderate, Western-leaning regime. Islamist parties won only about 12% of the vote in the last elections, in 2002, and many believe they would draw less support now.

"There's this perception that if Musharraf goes, in come the Taliban," said Sherry Rehman, a lawmaker with the Pakistan People's Party, the political home of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, now living in exile. "That's really not the case."

Read the rest.

Powderkeg Pakistan on Edge

Not a good situation in nuclear-armed Pakistan. The nightmare scenario of radical Islamists with nukes could eventually happen.

President Musharraf could declare a state of emergency in Pakistan amid growing civil unrest against his increasingly embattled regime.

Security forces were placed on high alert yesterday, detaining hundreds of activists on the eve of an anti-government rally in Karachi. Rival demonstrations are planned by supporters of General Musharraf, raising fears of violent clashes in the southern port city today.

An extra 15,000 police and paramilitary troops have been deployed to Karachi where the country’s Chief Justice, who was suspended by General Musharraf, is expected to urge his supporters to step up their campaign of opposition to the Government. General Musharraf, a key US ally in the War on Terror, removed Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry on March 9 for alleged misconduct. His action triggered violent protests in defence of the judiciary, which had previously enjoyed a degree of independence under the military-backed regime.

More at Gateway Pundit and Riehl World View.

Nuclear Nightmare

We may often view Pervez Musharraf suspiciously, but when you think about it, he may be all that stands between Iran, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban getting nukes. Check out Front Page and The First Nuclear Terrorist Power

An Islamist insurgency is afoot in Pakistan, posing a dire threat of overthrowing Musharraf.

And this may happen sooner rather than later.

If the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is created, it means Islamists get their hands on Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. This, in turn, means that such weapons will then be passed to the new regime’s allies – which will include, among others, the Iranian mullahs, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban.

Read the rest of this disturbing story.