Musharraf pulls out of peace council (WH surprized)

[rodeodance]

Source: ap




Musharraf pulls out of peace council

By JASON STRAZIUSO, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 42 minutes ago

KABUL, Afghanistan - Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf pulled out Wednesday from a council of hundreds of Pakistani and Afghan tribal leaders aimed at reining in militant violence.


Pakistan's Foreign Office said Musharraf was canceling his trip to Kabul because of "engagements" in Islamabad. Pakistani political analyst Talat Masood said, however, that Musharraf probably was responding to recent U.S. criticism of Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts, which has included suggestions that the U.S. could carry out unilateral military strikes against al-Qaida in Pakistan.

"He is trying to convey a strong message to the United States. There have been a lot of statements coming out of Washington about violating Pakistan's sovereignty and so on," Masood said.

A U.S. State Department official said the Bush administration was surprised and dismayed by Musharraf's snub, particularly after Karzai repeatedly expressed satisfaction about the meeting during a joint appearance with President Bush on Monday.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070808/ap_on_re_as/afghanistan_pakistan;_ylt=AvoCAqL90cayFOOCsphHWnKs0NUE

[TwilightGardener]

1. Something weird is going on.

[mikelgb]

2. super attack on Obama

[mbperrin]

3. No one could have anticipated

that threatening to invade his country would make him uncooperative!

[beberocks]

4. The White House gets surprised by winter coming every year

Blithering idiots! 

[Demeter]

5. Ain't THAT The Truth!

Hell, gravity slapped them upside the head in Minnesota earlier this month!

[stillcool]

6. kind of reminds me of this..

article from 2004...

http://www.payvand.com/news/04/aug/1190.html
8/20/04
Iranian Concern about American Troop Presence in Iraq 'Unwarranted,' says US
David Gollust, VOA, State Department - 19 Aug 2004

The United States said Thursday Iran should see the American military presence in Iraq as a stabilizing, rather than threatening presence. The comments followed remarks by Iran's Defense Minister that some Iranian generals favor striking U.S. forces pre-emptively if they sensed a threat.
---------------------------------------------------------
In an interview with the Arabic al-Jazeera TV network this week, the Iranian minister, Ali Shamkhani, expressed concern about the American presence in neighboring Iraq, and said some Iranian generals favored striking first if they sensed a U.S. threat.

At a news briefing, State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said he was not interested in "chasing statements" by foreign officials. But he said he would certainly characterize Iranian concerns about the U.S. presence in Iraq as "unwarranted."

He said U.S. troops are part of a multinational force, in Iraq at the invitation of the country's interim government and pursuant to U.N. Security Council resolutions. He said they are present to help support the stability and security of Iraq so there is "no cause" to see them as a threat.

"Our view is, and we've stated it quite often, is that far from seeing them as threatening, they should be seen as stabilizing," he said. "And Iraq's neighbors have an interest in joining with all of us working in Iraq to insure that those trying to unsettle, destabilize or otherwise work against the government of Iraq are defeated."

[Miss Chybil]

7. We invade Iraq, install a government and then say they invited us.

If it wasn't so deadly, it would be hysterical!

[goforit]

8. Musharraf is physically remaining in Pakistan to protect his thrown.

Nothing like an overthrow while your out of the house.
An overthrow instigated by our beloved leader. :sarcasm:

[bemildred]

9. So, like, when are they not surprised?

I can't really think of a thing out there in the big wide world where the Bushites have NOT been kicked in the nuts by reality. Of course, things are still peachy with the illegitimate, narcissistic, unrepresentative government in Washington, DC.

[maxsolomon]

10. musharraf wants to stay alive

a loya jirga with musharraf will attract taliban suicide bombers like flies.

[winstonrazek]

11. Musharraf like to play both sides

Musharraf is playing both sides