Bin Laden Gets a Pass from Pakistan

[RamboLiberal]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2006/09/bin_laden_gets_.html

Osama bin Laden, America's most wanted man, will not face capture in Pakistan if he agrees to lead a "peaceful life," Pakistani officials tell ABC News.

The surprising announcement comes as Pakistani army officials announced they were pulling their troops out of the North Waziristan region as part of a "peace deal" with the Taliban.

If he is in Pakistan, bin Laden "would not be taken into custody," Major General Shaukat Sultan Khan told ABC News in a telephone interview, "as long as one is being like a peaceful citizen."

Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere in the tribal areas of Pakistan, near the Afghanistan border, but U.S. officials say his precise location is unknown.

In addition to the pullout of Pakistani troops, the "peace agreement" between Pakistan and the Taliban also provides for the Pakistani army to return captured Taliban weapons and prisoners.

[Radical Activist]

1. If that isn't a defeat in the war on terror

I don't know what is. What a complete failure for Bush. This should be front page news but I'll bet it gets buried.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Dems need to be all over this

I want to see the Rethugs explain this one. Come on Santorum, Allen, and all you tough-talking Rethugs, tell me why we haven't gotten OBL and how our great buddies in Pakistan are letting him go free! What happened to you're with us or against us? I am steamed right now!

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

[tocqueville]

3. This is the result of Bush Israel policy

the Muslim world has seen that a determined defense can challenge Israel. Once again the US has been taking sides
when the rest of the world wanted to stop unjustified wanton destruction. The Arab "street" is very angry and proud of the Hezbollah victory at the same time. They see that the US is losing in Iraq. Of this the regimes in Egypt, Jordan and now Pakistan are very aware. They want to survive. And taking their distances from Washington is the first step. And Pakistan has nukes, what is George supposed to do ?

[cal04]

4. I bet Clinton isn't surprised

(snip)
The clandestine operation in 1999 was sponsored by the Clinton administration less than 12 months after US cruise missile strikes against Bin Laden's training camps in the country, according to the Washington Post.

In return, the newspaper said, Pakistan was promised economic aid and the lifting of sanctions imposed after it tested nuclear weapons. The assassination plan was abandoned later in 1999 when the Nawaz Sharif was ousted by the military as Pakistan's prime minister. According to the Washington Post, the plan was part of a more robust effort by the United States to get at Bin Laden and his al-Qaida network.

(snip)
An official close to the Clinton administration told the Washington Post that the Pakistani commando team was ready to strike by October 1999. "It was an enterprise. It was proceeding," he said.

But General Pervez Musharraf, who overthrew Mr Sharif on October 12, pointedly refused to continue with it.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,562900,00.html

[varun]

5. $3 Billion and F-16's to Pakistan...

...for this?

:eyes:

[pa28]

6. According to the original Bush doctrine we're at war with Pakistan.

"Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists." *

Since then he's said Osama is no longer a priority. He also diverted resources from the hunt for Bin-Laden to fight his war in Iraq.

Is the new Bush doctrine appeasement or incompetence? :shrug: