To: Jeff Jordan who wrote (42312 ) 4/1/2002 5:26:52 PM From: IQBAL LATIF Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 50167 <take a break, step back and center your thoughts. No man can carry the evils of the world on his heart very long without being affected> Do you know what it is like for my nation or for people who are at the forefront of this war to hand over the best of catches and still be questioned? It is not America or her society that is in stake at this battle, the frontlines are the Pakistan provinces and its citizens. We bear the brunt of this major undertaking and I personally, with my family and children, is standing right in the heart of Islamabad and Karachi. I am not affected, I am a party in this war and my personal safety is at risk when I write about Arafat. It is no the evil affecting me, it is the evil affecting me! I have never the considered my life to be important enough and I am willing to sacrifice to prevent the "Afghanisation" syndrome within my nation. I know the risk, I know the game and I am part of the game. I take these challenges willfully as a matter of pride for my nation. When I decry the present suicide bombing and the flawed of the Palestinians, it is not conventional or the prevalent wisdom in Pakistan. These issues, which I have raised in this thread, were echoed in Torah Borah recently. In fact I was engaged in a conversation with the Pusthun tribal leaders in that region. When I went to Kohat, Para Chenar or Qila Urwali, where all the prisoners in Guatanomo Base have come from, I dropped my personal guard and everyone in that area were supportive of the actions that the Pakistani government was performing. "Catch the *astards and send them to Guatanomo" was the general sentiment. The media is a total tragedy, especially it's coverage of Pakistan. Mr Jeff, journalism is not the misrepresentation of the nations rather it epitomises balanced coverage. What Pakistan has done can never be mirrored by anyone else and only because Pakistan is a non oil-producing Muslim nation, we bear the criticisms of the likes of Jim Hoagland. We are expected to take it lying low and we are not going to accept it! For 50 years we have cooperated in the states in its defence against Communism and Republicans resemble our ethos, "we are honest straight talkers" and we'll eliminate the evil in our region. Don't be swayed by what's happening in the Middle East, Pakistan is in South Asia and our mentality differs from that of the Arabs. We are not descendants of Mr Arafat's sister, Ms. Gandhi, and we have chosen our lot with the Western Democracy. For the last 54 years we have consistently proven our loyalty to America and we never sat in the laps of the USSR and earned the epithet of "World's largest Democracy". We have honour and prestige, and Pakistan shall deliver the booties to the United States like Abu Zubaida and God-willing the other two *astards, Osama Bin Laden and Mullah Omar Sharif. The nation is united in this undertaking and through my discussions with indigenes in the heart of the extremist haven and everyone accepted the position of our nation. It is not that I am affected, it is the paranoia at your end that disturbs me the most. Go read yesterday ''Jim Hoagland' article on IHT, if you are even the best of US friend and a Pakistani you will be shocked at the blatant unwarranted attacks on my nation. I can say that it is you guys who should step back and center your thoughts, you guys know seem to know how to make the best of your friends turn to question their whole alignment. I love that America that is liberal and freedon supporter and has no pre occupations with any kind of extremist thinking. best regards.. Ike