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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41206)	10/26/2001 11:42:32 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

Holding aloft placards inscribed with anti-extremism, pro-Pakistan and pro-Musharraf slogans, scores of people on Wednesday took up the cudgels on behalf of the 'silent majority' in the country and said 'no' to terrorism and lawlessness with one voice at a programme held at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday evening. The million march announced by the religious parties fizzled to a rally, thousands of agitators massed in Karachi on Friday to condemn US-led strikes against Afghanistan. They marched from Namaish Chowrangi to Capri Cinema and dispersed peacefully later on. Maulana Samiul Haq, head of the Afghanistan Defence Council, a coalition of religious parties, while addressing the rally said “Musharraf should resign and leave the country”, otherwise they will launch a big movement to remove him from power. Syed Munawar Hussain of Jama’at-e-Islami and Hafiz Hussain Ahmed of JUI also addressed the rally. The leaders of the council threatened “a march on Islamabad” for which date will be announced later.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41206)	10/27/2001 1:10:27 AM
From: BubbaFred	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50167

<< As a super power American image should be humane, merciful and benevolent. It will be unfortunate that in the zest to destroy terrorism, America is labeled as a terrorist itself. America's bad image will give its closest ally Pakistan also a distorted image, especially at home, because the people of Pakistan do not wish the people of Afghanistan to be hurt, and will blame their government for complicity if that happens due to continued merciless Allied bombing of Afghanistan. >> Definitely US/British forces need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a novel strategy - such as multiple fronts with quick 2-3 days of combined ground and air attacks at specific key targets. If they don't know what and where those targets are. then they have no business being there. For this operation, expect military personnel casualties, or they should pull out. US and its allies must also consider setting up other bases around Afghanistan, including in Iran. American humanitarian image as well as Musharraf's command should not be jeapordized nor forsaken. When areal bombing sorties have proven to have minimal impact (except for higher civilian losses and higher frequency of mistakes), then a new strategy should be put in place. The US and British Allied forces should make use of tactical moves that confuse the opponents. As of now, the bombings are so predictable and Talebans are using the civilians as shields and use the civilian casualties as propaganda. If Musharraf were to lose control (heaven's forbid!), it would be a huge setback (which is an understatement). Without any doubt, the Taleban leadership is planning for such a chaotic and leaderless Pakistan. Musharraf's leadership preservation must be taken into account on all daily decisions. << The aim of the inimical mullahs will be achieved with disorder and anarchy. >> That's how they get their recruits as well, catching all those young men who have yet found their place in the society and still searching for the purpose of their lives. << During the last two weeks the Allied Air Forces have flown over three thousand sorties and have destroyed Taliban air power, but not military power. Immense damage has been caused to the infrastructure. ..... But US and UK have failed to achieve their political and military aims. >> That is a great point and it should be obvious. If it is not quite apparent to the Allied Forces commanders, then the overall outlook will be bleak. Civilian casualties will mount. Public opinion and support will turn negative. The bombing has become too predictable and that makes it easier to hide and prepare for the attacks and lessen the impact.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (41206)	10/28/2001 1:11:29 AM
From: sandeep	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 50167

Iqbal, I think that the American Govt has been too kind towards the Taliban and Osama. The fact they haven't made a visible dent in these folks after 3 weeks of bombing is astonishing. I think that the war is slipping away... To begin with, I was a great Bush/Powell/Cheney admirer. But alas, I guess that one can go only so far with passion and clarity of purpose. None of these guys have distinguished themselves in their academic careers. Maybe because they were just not smart enough. Now their deficiencies may be coming back to haunt them...