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'US won't tolerate cross-border raids'
The United States opposes any agreements with tribal militants because they have sworn enmity to the US, and will not tolerate cross-border raids on its troops in Afghanistan from militants based in the Tribal Areas, Senator Russ Feingold told reporters here on Wednesday at the end of his four-day visit to Pakistan. “We are against any agreement with militants, Taliban and Al Qaeda who have sworn to harm the US,” said Feingold, who is also member of the US Senate Judicial Committee.
"You been warned. And I'm the peace lobby back home."
Restoration: Senator Feingold termed the restoration of the judiciary ‘the single most important issue’ facing the Pakistani nation and demanded the immediate reinstatement of all sacked judges. Feingold said the judges were sacked without solid reasons, and added that their restoration was ‘simple enough’ and should not be linked with other constitutional reforms. “I had meetings with a number of people including Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on the issue of judges’ removal, but no one told me that they did anything wrong,” he added.

He rejected the US policy of relying only on President Pervez Musharraf and sidelining the real political elements in Pakistan. He said it was a ‘mistake’ to hitch policy to a person who came into power through undemocratic means.
He was the only game in town, Russ.
However, he refused to comment on the future of President Musharraf, saying it was the prerogative of the people of Pakistan to decide his future. But he reiterated that Musharraf had attained power through unconstitutional methods.

To questions on the Pakistan government’s efforts to engage elements in the Tribal Areas in peace talks, Feingold said there was no harm in engaging with tribal elders, but re-asserted: “I oppose agreements with the Taliban and Al Qaeda. We would not talk to people who want to kill American people.”

He conceded that it was a difficult task to monitor the Pak-Afghan border because of the hostile terrain and porous nature of the border. Nevertheless, he insisted that this fact did not detract from the threat militants from Pakistani territory posed to US troops across the border.

The US senator underlined the importance of Pak-US relations and said the US wanted a solid and genuine friendship with Pakistan. This relationship could be maintained and developed to new heights, he added.

Feingold said democracy in Pakistan was important not only to the US, but also the region. “It will help to improve Pakistan’s image,” he added.

He also spoke highly of Pakistani people, and said he had learnt a lot during his interaction with the Pakistani leadership. Feingold defended visits by US officials and congressional delegations, saying they were ‘important’ for Pak-US relations. “It is a good sign and helpful to understand things.”
Posted by: Fred 2008-05-29
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=240245