Pakistan Protests U.S. Missile Strikes

U.S. Ambassador Told Cross-Border Raids Violate Sovereignty, Undermine Terror Fight

(AP)  Pakistan's government summoned the U.S. ambassador on Wednesday to urge an immediate halt to missile strikes on suspected militant hide-outs near the Afghan border.

Missile strikes have killed at least two senior al Qaeda commanders in Pakistan, putting some pressure on extremist groups accused of planning attacks in Afghanistan - and perhaps terror strikes in the West.

However, a marked uptick in frequency of the missile attacks has badly strained America's seven-year alliance with Pakistan, where rising violence is exacerbating economic problems gnawing at the nuclear-armed Islamic republic's stability.

Having called in U.S. Ambassador Anne Patterson on Wednesday, "a strong protest was lodged on the continued missile attacks by U.S. drones inside Pakistani territory," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The attacks have led to the loss of "precious lives and property" and "undermine public support for the government's counterterrorism policies," the statement said.

"It was emphasized that such attacks were a violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and should be stopped immediately," it said.

American commanders complain that Pakistani forces have not put enough pressure on militants in its remote and impoverished border regions, an area considered a possible hiding place for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri.

Reflecting that frustration, U.S. military and CIA drones that patrol the frontier region are believed to have carried out at least 15 strikes since mid-August, including one that killed about 20 people at the home of a Taliban commander on Monday.

The United States rarely confirms or denies involvement.

Lawmakers on Monday pass a resolution condemning the attacks and calling on the government to take "more effective measures" to stop them.

The Foreign Ministry said it gave a copy of the resolution to Patterson on Wednesday.

[samsel3]

More than a year and half before 911 the CIA Special Activities Division was conducting operations in Afghanistan, trying to topple the Taliban regime for the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Pipelines.......

[handelthetru]

Pakistan''s government control is receeding fast. Their government is giving al Qaeda money as peace offerings. With the death of Bhutto, it seems that any chance of Pakistan helping the United States is hanging by a thread. With our money directly funding the resistance, we need to look at who our allies are. Pakistan''s military has nuclear weapons and everyday their grip on their country is weakening. We need to take control of the situation and do what is necessary even if Pakistan doesnt agree. If their idea of fighting terrorism is handing them money in a "cease-fire" agreement, we need to look at what is happening. That same day theses tready''s are signed, the violence inside Pakistan slows, while Afganistan and Iraq explode with violence, with increased violence of up to 300%. We are faced with a similar situation that the former Soviet Union and Brittan was faced with, do we stock pile weapons and put boots on the ground to fight and eliminate the resistance, or do we call it quits where we stand. Their needs to be some serious consideration on what our future is and what needs to be done in the middle-east.

[eddom949]

Those were flares!

[inketolstoy]

It appears samsel3 has forgotten that whole Sept. 11 thing. Or was that just a plot by the big oil/the government also? Finish the job America. Terrorists have no country to attack, they hide within other countries. This isn''t a war that can be won conventionally.

[samsel3]

The US needs to get out of Afghanistan. It is over. Iran, Pakistan & India have signed an agreement for the IPI Pipeline which circumvents Cheney s Big Pipe Dream.

Former Pakistani President Musharif was protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.
Taliban leader Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

In his testimony he stated, "The key question is how the energy resources of Central Asia can be made available to nearby Asian markets ".

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,

[petro49l]

What if the Coalition declares war on Pakistan and Iran? Missiles and bombs are killing Afghani Civilians and Soldiers. Kabul could join the effort against the Coalition. O.P.E.C.''s little war in the region might become a major combat situation.