Answer in Iraq Lies in Raising Its Own Army to Take Over Security, Not
Bringing in More Foreign Troops; 'Everything Should Lead
to an Exit Strategy'
Palestinian Front Affecting the Entire Muslim World; 'All Terrorist and
Militant Activity in the World Today Has Been Initiated Because of the
Palestinian Problem'
NEW YORK, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf
tells Newsweek that the visibility of any foreign troops in Iraq-whether
American or British-is not at all welcome. "Nobody likes [to be occupied by]
foreign troops. The answer lies not in bringing in more foreign troops but in
raising the army in Iraq itself so it can take over security. Everything
should lead to an exit strategy."
Musharraf says he talked with both President Bush and Prime Minister Ayad
Allawi about an exit strategy for foreign troops. "Both agree that Iraqi
forces should be raised. But where they get the forces from is the question,"
Musharraf tells Special Diplomatic Correspondent Lally Weymouth in the October
4 issue of Newsweek (on newsstands Monday, September 27). Pakistan has offered
to train troops for Iraq, but under the present circumstances, he would not
send troops to Iraq now. He says the war in Iraq "has complicated the
situation in the Islamic world. It has increased the opposition to the U.S. in
the Islamic world."
So, what can be done about this? "Close down fronts. You have opened too
many fronts [such as] the Palestinian front. The Palestinian front is
affecting the entire Muslim world. All terrorist and militant activity in the
world today has been initiated because of the Palestinian problem. This is
because of the sense of hopelessness, alienation, and powerlessness."
"If you examine how Al Qaeda came into existence, you'll find that the
root is the Palestinian struggle," Musharraf says. He adds that he does not
know where Osama bin Laden is but that "most certainly" he is still alive.
(Interview attached. Read Newsweek's news releases at
http://www.Newsweek.com . Click "Pressroom" at the bottom of the page.)
'Close Down Fronts'
Musharraf on terror, Iraq and U.S. exit strategies
By Lally Weymouth
In spite of his close alliance with the Bush administration in the war
against terror, Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf last week made clear he
has some policy disagreements with the White House. In a wide-ranging
interview with newsweek's Lally Weymouth, Musharraf insisted that the United
States and Britain are not welcome in Iraq, and must aim to withdraw their
troops. He also argued vehemently that the Palestinian issue is the source of
anti-American feeling in the Muslim world, and the root cause of terrorism.
Excerpts:
weymouth: You have said you will not resign as Army chief at the end of
this year. Why?
musharraf: I haven't said I won't take off the uniform; I have yet to
decide. However, I would like to give you the reasons. We are following a
certain foreign policy which needs continuity. We are fighting terrorism
internationally and that needs continuity. Then, there is the issue of Indo-
Pakistan relations. There is a rapprochement. Then, we are changing the entire
psyche of our society, which has been held hostage to extremist ideas. The
entire mindset needs to be changed, which we are doing.
Were military officers involved in the assassination attempts against you
and your prime minister?
There was involvement by some few lower-level people but there were no
officers involved.
U.S. officials contend that terrorist groups are still raising money and
recruiting in Pakistan under different names in spite of your ban.
We are cracking down in all possible ways. They are banned, and as far as
recruitment, that is also totally banned. Groups may do it clandestinely, but
previously they had offices and recruiting centers all over. Their accounts
have been frozen and offices sealed.
Did you and President Bush decide on any plan of action against Al Qaeda
during your meeting [last] week?
We are in constant contact, and we cooperate on the intelligence side.
President Bush knows what is happening. The strategy is coordinated.
Do you believe the new Indian prime minister is as committed to peace as
former prime minister Vajpayee?
I think he is very much interested in peace. I have no reason to doubt his
sincerity.
Talks between India and Pakistan have gone on for three months. How do you
assess the current state of play, and what do you hope for regarding Kashmir?
We won't be able to move towards a solution in the first meeting. All that
we can expect is to set a direction for ourselves and be sure of the sincerity
of each side.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has complained that Pakistan has not been
tough enough on Qaeda and Taliban enclaves along the border. What is your
response?
We strongly condemn any statements of this nature. We will not allow Al
Qaeda or Taliban to operate from Pakistan. But the borders are mountainous and
porous, and it is impossible control the whole border.
Do you think the United States needs more troops in Afghanistan to finish
the job?
More troops were required initially. That did not happen. Now, we have
reached a stage where an Afghan national army is being raised. I think the
correct thing would be to speed up the process of building that army. The
visibility of foreign troops ought to be reduced and, ultimately, they need to
exit.
What is your assessment of U.S. operations in Iraq?
I think the visibility of any foreign troops--whether American or British-
-is not at all welcome in Iraq. Nobody likes [to be occupied by] foreign
troops. The answer lies not in bringing in more foreign troops but in raising
the army in Iraq itself so it can take over security. Everything should lead
to an exit strategy.
Have you talked to President Bush and Prime Minister Allawi about an exit
strategy for U.S. and British troops?
Yes, both agree that Iraqi forces should be raised. But where they get the
forces from is the question.
Would Pakistan be willing to train troops now for Iraq?
Yes, we have offered.
Would you send troops to Iraq now?
No, not under the present circumstances.
Do you think the war in Iraq was a good idea, and how do you think it has
affected the area?
I think it has complicated the situation in the Islamic world. It has
increased the opposition to the U.S. in the Islamic world.
What can be done about this?
Close down fronts. You have opened too many fronts [such as] the
Palestinian front. The Palestinian front is affecting the entire Muslim world.
All terrorist and militant activity in the world today has been initiated
because of the Palestinian problem. This is because of the sense of
hopelessness, alienation and powerlessness.
Doesn't Osama bin Laden aim to install radical governments in moderate
Muslim countries?
If you examine how Al Qaeda came into existence, you'll find that the root
is the Palestinian struggle.
Do you think Osama bin Laden can be captured?
We don't know where he is.
Is he alive?
Most likely, almost certainly.
SOURCE Newsweek
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