Pakistan, U.S. Will Boost Anti-Terrorism Partnership (Update1)

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More propaganda than News, but I suppose Pace's visit and statement count.

March 21 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistan and the U.S. will boost their cooperation in fighting Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists on the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, said Marine General Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Pace, who began a visit to Pakistan yesterday, said he will discuss Pakistan's anti-terrorism operation in its northwestern tribal area with Pakistan's military chief General Ehsan Ul Haq, according to the U.S. Defense Department's Web site.

``We can both be better partners,'' Pace said yesterday before starting his talks, according to the American Forces Press Service. ``It's important I understand from them what they are doing and how they are doing it and how we might support them.''

Pakistan has about 80,000 soldiers fighting terrorists in the border region, in an operation that began in 2003. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf said last month relations with Afghanistan are becoming tense because of Afghan criticism that Pakistan isn't doing enough to stop Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists using bases in Pakistan.

Bloomberg

[Kagemusha]

1. Ah, this is where they say 'Pakistani Taliban' are making huge gains.

In part because being seen as American allies is really hurting the Pakistani authorities PR-wise and creating home-grown opposition.

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2. Yeah, Mushhead has his hands full, I think.

Yippee.

[donkeyotay]

3. Must be some interesting stuff going on behind the scenes

First the preznit goes over and cheerfully aids India in their nukular program. Then there was that odd piece out of Pakistan about bribes to the 9-11 Commission to cover up Pakistani involvement. Me thinks they're kicking each other under the table.

One day Pakistan is going to become a major headache and the chickens we placed in that hen house will come home to roost. There was a symposium on C-Span some months ago which included members of the former Pakistani government. It was very enlightening, but one of the more interesting points made was how much the Pakistani people support Osama, and how they have all the same usual issues with the uneven growth of wealth under globalization... and the usual political corruption that goes with it.

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4. Even wierder, after Shrub sucked up to India over nukes,

and told Mushhead we could not suck up to him over nukes,
THE RUSSIANS said they wanted to suck up to India over nukes too,
and RUSSIA is deeply involved in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas
pipeline that the Bushites just hate, hate, hate.