Musharraf Admits to Al-Qaeda "Sanctuaries" in Pakistan

[tekisui]

Source: Economic Times

WASHINGTON- After long deniying that terrorist camps in Pakistan exists, the former President Gen. Pervez Musharraf has admitted that Pakistan does have areas which provide safe havens to militants.

According to the News, Musharraf said that the Al-Qaeda is operating from remote areas in Pakistan, and due to the difficult geographical conditions in the region it is very difficult for the security forces to dismantle the camps.

"There are "sanctuaries" in Pakistan for Al-Qaeda, which combined with the remote, mountainous terrain "makes the task difficult" of finding the militants," Musharraf said.

Musharraf also rejected the notion that Pakistan is the originating point of terrorism, but accepted that there are agencies in the country which are offering help to the militant activities.

"Terrorism emanated from Afghanistan because of the Mujahideen. Militants, Taliban are all products of Afghanistan. It is only support that they get from Pakistan," he said.

Talking to reporters here, he said that the United States is neglecting Pakistan in terms of aid and financial help, despite it playing the lead role in the fight against terror in the region.

He regretted that the help which Pakistan is getting from the US is far less than what Afghanistan or Iraq have received.

"If you compare what you spent in Afghanistan, I believe I read an article where roughly 143 billion dollars have been spent in Afghanistan. What have you spent in Iraq? Maybe over a trillion dollars?" Musharraf, who is on tour to the United states, said.

more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Musharraf_admits_to_Al-Qaeda_sanctuaries_in_Pakistan/articleshow/4026008.cms

[GarbagemanLB]

1. Didn't you just make another thread complaining about missile strikes in Pakistan?

Seems to me like this article just reinforces what Bush AND Obama did in regards to military strikes within Pakistan's borders.

Pakistan has an extremely weak government and it is up to outside forces to either stand up to or work with the tribes to get to the Al Qaeda operatives they are hiding.

[tekisui]

2. I did.

And, this does. One of the main reasons I come to DU is to learn. I am trying to understand what this 'drone strike' policy is. That is why I put up that other thread, and why I keep searching out more information.

Pakistan is a weak government, I don't know that they could deal with extremists within their border, even if they wanted to. Many are inside their government, as well.

I will just continue to be against strikes sovereign nations, and hope that I am wrong in doubting their effectiveness. I hope the military knows what they are doing in the region, so we can get out sooner rather than later.