Fresh offensives were launched in the tribal areas in violation of the peace agreement reached with local tribesmen some time ago. This resulted in the spill over of violence, earlier restricted to the troubled region, into the settled areas of the NWFP and the rest of the country.
The need for a paradigm shift is very important at this crucial time, when the ongoing spate of suicide attacks is posing a serious threat to our internal security. (The Nation)
Assault on Sovereignty
Quite obviously, Pakistan cannot even consider granting most of these demands. If it were to do so, it may as well raise the Stars and Stripes over the country, and accept a status as the 51st state of the United States.
The demands made are obviously absurd and the question arises why they have been put forward at this time. It has been reported that the list, seeking the kind of freedoms the US enjoys in 'conquered' countries such as Iraq, has created a considerable flurry in official corridors.
Certainly, the actions of US private mercenary outfits, such as Blackwater, given contracts in Iraq are enough to cause shivers to run down collective spines. Blackwater's obviously trigger-happy men were involved in the shooting of Iraqis including women and children. They were then whisked out of the country.
Crimes by US military personnel in Japan and South Korea, including rape, have also caused intense local hostility, since the personnel were exempted form local laws.
Any US presence, particularly under any agreement giving personnel a blanket cover to do what they please, would only heighten the strongly felt anti-US sentiments that have fuelled extremism in the first place. (The News)
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