The gloves are off in Pakistan

[ensho]

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JI23Df01.html


Pakistani authorities have compared Saturday evening's devastating truck suicide attack on the Marriott Hotel in the capital Islamabad to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

In terms of its psychological effect, the blast, which killed more than 80 people, injured hundreds and burnt out the hotel, has traumatized the nation, and, like 9/11, marks the beginning of a new battle: this time not the "war on terror", but the war by terrorists.

Pakistan is now the declared battleground in this struggle by Islamic militants to strike first against American interests before the United States' war machine completes its preparations to storm the sanctuaries of al-Qaeda in Pakistan.

-snip-

Approximately 20 kilometers from Islamabad lies Tarbella, the brigade headquarters of Pakistan's Special Operation Task Force (SOTF). Recently, 300 American officials landed at this facility, with the official designation as a "training advisory group", according to documents seen by Asia Times Online.

However, high-level contacts claim this is not as simple as a training program.

-snip-

Now, the US has bought a huge plot of land at Tarbella, several square kilometers, according to sources directly handling the project. Recently, 20 large containers arrived at the facility. They were handled by the Americans, who did not allow any Pakistani officials to inspect them.

Given the size of the containers, it is believed they contain special arms and ammunition and even tanks and armored vehicles - and certainly have nothing to do with any training program.
-snip-
-------------------------


the neo cons are going to do what they want in Pakistan. what the Pakistani people want doesn't matter to them.

[maxsolomon]

1. asia times

grain of salt.

but it sure makes sense.

[Winterblues]

2. Wonder how this will aid Obama's plan for Pakistan?

:shrug: I admit I am opposed to Obama's plan to attack within any sovereign nation he feels like if there is evidence that Al Qaeda is there, specifically Pakistan. I do not accept that Al Qaeda is all powerful and such a scary enemy..I think they are nothing more than a bunch of rag tag criminals..

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. today, my news station reported that Paki forces fired on US choppers

who entered their airspace sans permiso.

[Warpy]

4. They were quick to point to religious militants, weren't they?

However, a few things are wrong here. First, the militants generally plan a little better and instead of having one big bang, they synchronize several smaller bangs to maximize terror and damage. Second, they are proud of this and take responsibility. Third, BBC reported early on (and then disappeared) a statement from a witness that said the explosive laden truck had first tried to approach nearby government buildings but found the security too strict and only ended up at the hotel because the security was lighter.

This sounds like a pro Musharraf, anti-Bhutto gang of military goons to me. Add to that the fact that military hardware like grenades were used as part of the explosive load and the picture gets just a little clearer.

However, we know the neocons will use any excuse they can find to enter somebody else's country to chase the people they allowed to escape in Afghanistan because Stupid had a hardon for war against Iraq. I can't see much to dispute in this particular story, although I do take it with a grain of salt.

[lib2DaBone]

5. and just like 911... something is very wrong here....

I wonder .. has Al Queida issued a statement or taken responsibility? Last week the U.S. launched Hell Fire missiles that killed scores of innocent people. Pakistan leaders were very pissed off. Now, we have one of the most notorious Neocons, Steven Hadley, in Pakistan, trying to convince them that they NEED U.S. troops to protect them from Al Quieda. Yes, this is exactly like our 911 incident. Nothing adds up about the blast except the coverups and lies.


(snip)
United States National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley said Washington was trying to help Pakistan’s government address the threat, but did not discuss American counter-terrorism efforts in the area, including a reported US commando raid.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\21\story_21-9-2008_pg7_4

[lonestarnot]

7. This shit is getting out of hand and we need to stop it before it escalates. They have nukes you

know.

[lonestarnot]

6. I think it was money.

not "Given the size of the containers, it is believed they contain special arms and ammunition and even tanks and armored vehicles - and certainly have nothing to do with any training program."