Pakistan: U.S. Won't Cross Our Border

Foreign Minister Says No Foreign Troops Will Be Allowed In To Hunt For Osama Bin Laden

(AP)  Pakistan's top diplomat said Saturday there are no U.S. or other foreign military personnel on the hunt for Osama bin Laden in his nation, and none will be allowed in to search for the al Qaeda leader.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said his nation's new government has ruled out such military operations, covert or otherwise, to catch militants.

"Our government's policy is that our troops, paramilitary forces and our regular forces are deployed in sufficient numbers. They are capable of taking action there. And any foreign intrusion would be counterproductive," he said Saturday. "People will not accept it. Questions of sovereignty come in."

The United States has grown increasingly frustrated as al Qaeda, the Taliban and other militants thrive in Pakistan's remote areas and in neighboring Afghanistan, and has offered U.S. troops to strike at terror networks. Critics in Washington also have expressed frustration with the new Pakistani government's pursuit of peace deals in the region.

Bin Laden is believed to be hiding somewhere along the rugged and lawless Afghan-Pakistan border region.

Pakistan's newly elected civilian government is negotiating with tribal elders to secure peace with militants along the Afghan border in hopes of curbing a surge in violence. It is a step back from the heavy-handed tactics pursued by the previous government led by supporters of President Pervez Musharraf.

Tension between the U.S. and Pakistan have been high after Pakistan said U.S. aircraft killed 11 of its soldiers at a border post in June. U.S. officials have said coalition aircraft dropped bombs during a clash with militants.

Despite Pakistan's previous statements that it does not allow U.S. forces on its territory, villagers in the border region that is a haven for al Qaeda and Taliban fighters have reported seeing U.S. drones fire missiles at suspected militant targets on several occasions in recent years.

Qureshi said he tried to reassure Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at their meeting Friday that his government was doing everything it can to combat militants in lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Pakistan and Afghanistan regularly exchange criticism about not doing more to fight extremists operating along their long, remote, mountainous border that is seen by the U.S. as crucial to stopping terrorism.

Qureshi acknowledged "there are some infiltrations" still occurring, but there are no covert U.S. military operations trying to catch al Qaeda figures and its chief, Taliban members or any other suspected militants.

"There are none," he said. "It will create such an anti-U.S. feeling in Pakistan that I would say would mar the atmosphere of cooperation that exists between us."

Qureshi described Pakistan's counterterrorism as a "grassroots" approach.

"Our strategy is that the military option alone is not enough," he said. "This war has to be fought besides the armies, with the help of the people, by winning hearts and minds."

Does he believe bin Laden is in Pakistan?

"I don't think so. I'm not sure," he said. "Nobody's aware of that. Nobody can speak with certainty. But our policy's very clear. We are allies in this war. And if Pakistan has actionable information vis-a-vis Osama bin laden or any other high value target, Pakistan will immediately take action."

Qureshi also met Thursday with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who agreed to Pakistan's request to establish an independent commission that will investigate former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's killing.

On Saturday, Qureshi declined to repeat the accusations by Musharraf's government and the CIA that Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, a Pakistani militant commander often blamed for suicide attacks, had orchestrated the Dec. 27 killing.

"We cannot jump to conclusions before the investigation is started," Qureshi said. "You cannot rule it out that he was responsible, but you cannot say with certainty that he is responsible. Only the inquiry will determine who was or was not responsible."

Qureshi also ruled out any future investigation into whether his nation's military helped disgraced Pakistani scientist A.Q. Khan spread nuclear weapons to rogue nations.

"What had to be found out, was found out," he said. "A.Q. Khan, as far as we are considered, is history. A.Q. Khan no longer has any official status. The network that he put together has been effectively broken."

[liferocks3]

what a ally in the war on terror, how dumb can be our administration not to realize the biggest supported of Islamic terrorism is Pakistan. Time to wipe out NWFP

[vietnam21]

(AP) Pakistan''s top diplomat said Saturday there are no U.S. or other foreign military personnel on the hunt for Osama bin Laden in his nation, and none will be allowed in to search for the al Qaeda leader.

Oh Ya, Bush please drop a few MOA.

[deacon20081]

Interesting that Pakistan makes this statement and the Saudi''s give them a 6 Billion Dollar gift huh?

[liberalme]

I dont think that Pakistan is that great of a friend to the USA as we would like to think.

Posted by XmanBorg at 11:40 AM : Jul 14, 2008

Any friend of the Bush clan would be an enemy to the rest of us.

[xmanborg]

It''s apparent that Pakistan knows exactly where Osama bin Laden is and is protecting him.

I dont think that Pakistan is that great of a friend to the USA as we would like to think.

[liberalme]

I hope this doesn''t mean Bush can''t go have lunch with his ole pal Osama now and then!

[patriot12436]

I agree with Pakistan, we should stay ouit of their country, just nuke the whole place and be done with the rterrorists for good in their coutry. They could ope a national park and show the glowing glass mountains. Would be suck a lovely sight.

[patriot12436]

sgtrds
Yiou are correct, bush doesn''t want to find ben laden. He is in the philipines and has been reported by people who know. Our intellience community does nothing with the information.

[firststate]

Pakistan''s government and the bush administration are battling for the title "Most incompetent and/or corrupt." To date, the people in both countries are the clear losers. Our "aid" to our partner, Pakistan provides as much bang for the buck as no-bid contracts with neocon cronies, not much.

Imagine bush wearing a uniform with lots of braid and shiny medals for things like not choking on his snacks and being able to find America on a map of the western hemisphere, he''d show Musharraf, then.

[baldwin2008]

America, TAKE BACK YOUR COUNTRY!
www.constitutionparty.org
CHUCK BALDWIN FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Obama and McCain are not your only choices as the illegal media blackout would have you believe.
WRITE IN CHUCK BALDWIN!!! We can have our constitution back!

[sgtrds10-4]

We invaded Afghanistan because they would not give up Bin Laden.....

Posted by scottyusa at 07:23 AM : Jul 13, 2008

Actually we invaded Afghanistan to use it as a staging area for our invasion of Iraq. Bush never wanted to get Bin Laden.

[itraveler99]

Too bad one of our Special OPS guys didn''t jump out from behind his chair and say BOO!

Like we give a dam$ weather he wants us over his border or not!! If we find bin Laden there he is T-O-A-S-T.

Our only problem is figuring out if this clown is having him over for dinner every night.

[hurtmorons]

ItMayBe2Late - HOPE YOU GET HIT BY A BUS REAL SOON LOSER!

[deacon20081]

Interesting note;
A Saudi pays NO income Tax. The starting pay for a Saudi is $180,000.00 a year....guess who is paying for it.

Pakistan is the Largest State Sponsor of Terrorists and Bush is well aware of this. He provides the money.

The US Air Force gets Fuel from Pakistan, the "refiner" is a man on the FBI 10 Most Wanted List
and is a Saudi....He was given a NO BID CONTRACT woth Millions a year...Why George?

[fixhist]

"The Associated Press, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said his nation''s new government has ruled out such military operations, covert or otherwise, to catch militants."

Too late my friend.

Fixhist business model is get one OEM or custom made Table,and have our own business ethics to play Hoola hoows,and hop scotch. If the game is not fair and foul calls were never answered.
Newer mind our business ethics are self reliant.

We digg holes in the ground to reach for water,we can make weapons and know How to defend our selves.

OOOOPsy,

Fixhist is officially not in business Yet.
Just dribbling with the ball out side the playing field,you know.
Game Ball is with Fixhist,and we know our monkey business.

Yes Lord Conrad Black has one ball to show,he still got two in his pants, You want to see balls of Conrad Black?

[generey]

And the propaganda continues....LOL.

[harpoot]

"Foreign Minister Says No Foreign Troops Will Be Allowed In To Hunt For Osama Bin Laden"

The Saudis are obviously paying him much more than the US is. The US is going to the poor house and Saudi is drowning in petro-dollars.

[panhandlpete]

What was the REAL reason for this meeting? Did the Foreign Minister achieve his mission? So, he has to publicly reassure his countrymen that there are no foreign intrusions into their country....only some "infiltrations" still occurring.......whatever that means is anybody''s guess.

It all comes down to who is greasing his hands with the green, and it could be concluded, perhaps, that he is "playing both sides."

[cbs_monitor1]

OBL is Al Qaeda, and AQ was created by the CIA
posted by brianbwb

Go back to moveon.org and the DailyKOS, you muslim terrorist apologist.

Sick stuff.

[cbs_monitor1]

Pakistan: U.S. Won''t Cross Our Border
Foreign Minister Says No Foreign Troops Will Be Allowed In To Hunt For Osama Bin Laden

-Somebody needs to explain why this man can be trusted.