Pakistan: US did not warn of missile strike

[inanna]

Source: AP

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan said Thursday it was not warned about a suspected U.S. missile strike in its northwest that came the same day a top American official assured Pakistani leaders of U.S. respect for the Muslim nation's sovereignty.

The reported attack will likely fuel anger in Pakistan over a surge in cross-border operations by U.S. forces — including a Sept. 3 ground assault — that has strained the countries' seven-year anti-terror alliance.

While denying prior knowledge of Wednesday's reported strike, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi indicated Pakistan's civilian leadership wants to defuse tensions through diplomacy, including during upcoming talks in the United States.

The suspected strike came as the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen, was in Pakistan visiting the prime minister, the army chief and other officials.


Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jIE0IUn4WIiaMBpjG8SI_6H5RXzgD939238G0

[RC]

1. I wonder what would happen if some other country did a missile strike

against some 'suspected' terrorist in this country?

(Would there be anything left of our White House?)

[Billy Burnett]

2. Keep in mind that Obama has said he would do the same (hit Pakistan to get bin Laden).

I'm not so sure he'll be able to do that w/o starting another war.

[shadowknows69]

3. Yeah, I'm not exactly on board with the Senator on that one

We need to go back to making these decisions as a world community (UN) not just NATO.

[Alcibiades]

4. Not hit Pakistan

but hit inside Pakistan. Presumably the Pakistani military or civilians would not be the target, but bin Laden and Al Queda.

And, no, Pakistan isn't going to start a war over this. I'm sure even this administration gave them full notification. This is for domestic political consumption in Pakistan.

[shadowknows69]

5. But we've already fucked up and killed civilians

Do I trust a President Obama to WANT to do it cleaner and smarter? Yes, but I'm not as confident it will be carried out that way on the ground.

[Alcibiades]

10. No one in charge cares about Pakistani civilians

Not our military or political leadership, and certainly not the Pakistani military leadership.

[Billy Burnett]

6. Hitting inside Pakistan w/o their approval is an attack on Pakistan.

Pakistan isn't going to start a war, the US is.

http://www.daily.pk/politics/politicalnews/7366-pakistan-a-war-path-with-us-us-world-biggest-sponsor-of-terrorism-.html

[Alcibiades]

7. We had their approval

Is my guess. They just won't say as much publicly for political reasons.

Otherwise, they would have every right to declare war.

[Nihil]

8. Pakistan isn't going to start a war with the US over this

Approval? Schmapproval! The US doesn't want, need or worry about "approval".

Regardless of that, (i.e., even though it *would* be justified),
Pakistan is not about to "declare war" on
1) the most militant and uncontrolled nation in the world
2) their biggest arms supplier
3) probably their biggest aid provider

They may be corrupt over there but they are not as stupid as that ...

[Alcibiades]

9. No, they are not that stupid

Still think they told the Pakistani military. I only suggest that because of the US government's long involvement with the Pakistani military. For domestic political reasons, they can never acknowledge that they were informed of, or granted permission for, any US attack. Nevertheless, it seems likely (to me) that the Pakistani military was informed.

The timing of the attacks is suspicious, not only because of the possibility of an October surprise. Asif Ali Zardari was only inaugurated a week ago. It's possible that they are trying to do some things in Pakistan before Zardari is able to effectively assume control. It seems quite probable that he was not informed, but he's not the person our military would feel the need to inform anyway.

We're certainly Pakistan's biggest supplier of aid and, more importantly, military aid. You're right that this administration feels no need to ask permission of anyone to attack anyone anywhere anytime for any reason. But the Pakistani military? I think they would let them know as a professional courtesy.