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Afghanistan/South Asia
Pakistan extends amnesty deadline. Again.
2004-05-09
By now they probably have this story on a macro key...
Pakistan extended a deadline to Monday for suspected al-Qaeda fugitives hiding in a lawless tribal region near Afghanistan to accept an amnesty offer or face possible military action, an official said Saturday. The government originally gave foreign militants in the South Waziristan tribal region until Friday to turn themselves in, but none came forward. After talks Saturday with local tribal leaders, Asmatullah Gandapur, the region's top administrator, said the deadline has been extended to give more time to resolve differences over how foreigners should register with the government. He did not elaborate.
They're still discussing the shape of the table...
The latest extension came despite a claim Saturday by Brig. Mahmood Shah, chief of security for tribal regions in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, that the government would not do so. An intelligence official in Islamabad said foreign militants — contacted through local tribal intermediaries and lawmakers — were reluctant to give details about themselves to authorities. “The foreigners do not want to be photographed. They do not want to give any details to Pakistan because they fear that such things might land in the hands of Americans,” the official said. Mr. Shah reiterated that Pakistan would not turn the foreigners over to other countries if they accept the amnesty offer despite calls from the United States to kill or capture the al-Qaeda fighters still at large. He said if they did not take the amnesty, the government “will use all options, and that includes the use of force.”
That may come several months from now, when they've all had a chance to get out of the country. Results will be nil.
Posted by:Dan Darling

#9  harpos always strike a dusk
Posted by: fury one   2004-05-09 6:19:55 PM  

#8  Mr. D, I think we do a very careful diplomatic walk with both India and Pakistan, but I still maintain that there are far more reasons for us try and work with Musharraf, than against him and Pakistan.
It's borne a lot of fruit for the US and the free world so far, let's see how it goes.
(They gave up A.Q. Khan and pointed us in some "helpful" directions as to where and to whom he sold those nukes.
And Pakistan and India went back to the negotiating table over Kashmir which they hadn't done in 2 years.
And Musharraf agreed to give up on a referendum over Kashmir--A very big deal for him.
And he's letting our boys hunt for OBL and AQ in the wilder parts of his country.
And he's trying to reform his country to be more modern and democratic and less shari'a-bound and tribal and jihadi-inclined.)
Posted by: Jen   2004-05-09 5:51:58 PM  

#7  Jen,

Nobody had to declare them a "Major Non-NATO Ally". But brilliant Colin did. These guys are vying to replace Saudi Arabia and largest undeclared enemy of the U. S.

With the growing economy in India, automobile ownership is sure to rise. We should provide them all the parking space they need in Pakistan.
Posted by: Mr. Davis   2004-05-09 5:44:34 PM  

#6  Zogster, you cretin.
Our "getting into bed" with Pakistan after 9/11 was absolutely CRUCIAL.
Given their proximity to Afghanistan logistically, the support of their ISI in the past for the Taliban and then the later-revealed selling of nuke secrets by Dr. A.Q. Khan, it was far better to work with them and have Musharraf's cooperation to work with us than the opposite.
Posted by: Jen   2004-05-09 5:37:39 PM  

#5  Engineering Proverb: a schedule with an ever-moving deadline is called a calendar.

So, when do we get to the part about their days being numbered? Getting into bed with Pakistan was quite possibly one of our biggest blunders.
Posted by: Zenster   2004-05-09 5:19:56 PM  

#4  Nothing like engineering hourmor.
Absolutely nothing. :)
Posted by: Shipman   2004-05-09 3:21:07 PM  

#3  Geology Proverb: A schedule with an ever-moving deadline is called an epoch, heh heh.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2004-05-09 2:08:11 PM  

#2  Engineering Proverb: a schedule with an ever-moving deadline is called a calendar
Posted by: Frank G   2004-05-09 10:18:16 AM  

#1  I'm thinking start thinking about the big, big picture... 30-50 years out. My vision has everything from Syria to the Indian border being made into one large bazzar or flea market. The population has a natural talent for this.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-05-09 10:09:22 AM  

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