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Musharraf Refuses To Provide Support for Ground Troops
By Aamir Latif
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 (IslamOnline) - Contrary to his initial assurance to provide all-out help to the U.S. in its campaign against international terrorism, Pakistani President Pervez Mushrraf has refused to provide Pakistan's airports, airbases and ground support to U.S. forces in the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the al-Qa'eda network, military sources said.
However, he once again assured that Pakistan would continue its assistance and support to the U.S. in its campaign against terrorism, including the use its airspace and soil and logistic support and intelligence information.
"I cannot go beyond this," Musharraf told U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell in a firm but polite tone, adding that his government is already under immense pressure.
"People are becoming restive against me," he said.
Having being unsuccessful in apprehending or destroying bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network, the U.S. has demanded Pakistan provide its airports and military support for U.S. special forces hunting bin Laden on the ground.
Powell told Musharraf during their one-and-a-half hour meeting that although the U.S. is pleased with his continuous support in the fight against terrorism, it wants more in this regard, such as the use of airports and military support.
U.S. demands were also made by the Administration last week through Pakistani ambassador to Washington Maleeha Lodhi, but the U.S. received the same answer.
Powell also told Musharraf that the U.S. is ready to write off all its loans against Pakistan if it entertains the fresh demands.
"I appreciate your kind offer, but please understand my limitations. I cannot go beyond this. My government is already under extreme pressure of the people," Musharraf told Powell, explaining the growing unstable situation in the country, especially in Baluchistan and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Powell also expressed CIA and FBI doubts concerning information provided by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency regarding possible bin Laden hideouts in Afghanistan.
The information provided by ISI contradicts what the FBI and CIA have found, Powell said, blaming the lower cadre of ISI for misleading Musharraf because of a leaning towards the Taliban.
"Our agencies think that the information provided about the possible hideouts of bin Laden were totally incorrect. He has never been there," Powell claimed.
Musharraf dispelled the impression that the ISI had provided deliberately misleading information to U.S. agencies, saying, "The entire ISI is bound to the discipline," despite personal feelings some officials may have towards the Taliban and bin Laden.
Musharraf informed Powell that the situation in Afghanistan had assumed alarming proportions within Pakistan, in line with other Muslim countries, after growing reports of Afghan civilian deaths under U.S. attacks.
Musharraf said if his support goes beyond what he has already given, the government would be unable to control the Pakistani people.
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