Bush's Buddy in Pakistan

The internet archives are amazing things. They, for example, put the lie to most everything that comes out of Bush's mouth.

For example, yesterday:

"President Musharraf has been a strong fighter against extremists and radicals"

Which Bush's Buddy demonstrated by not arresting extremist and radicals (to them they "surrender") in favor of arresting moderates and reformers.

And now, further putting the lie to Bush's statements is the truth via Juan Cole who quotes the Washington Post, October 3, 2001:

By Bob Woodward and Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, October 3, 2001; Page A01

In 1999, the CIA secretly trained and equipped approximately 60 commandos from the Pakistani intelligence agency to enter Afghanistan for the purpose of capturing or killing Osama bin Laden, according to people familiar with the operation.

The operation was arranged by then-Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his chief of intelligence with the Clinton administration, which in turn promised to lift sanctions on Pakistan and provide an economic aid package. The plan was aborted later that year when Sharif was ousted in a military coup.

The plan was set in motion less than 12 months after U.S. cruise missile strikes against bin Laden's training camps in Afghanistan that Clinton administration officials believe narrowly missed hitting the exiled Saudi militant. The clandestine operation was part of a more robust effort by the United States than has been previously reported, including consideration of broader military action, such as massive bombing raids and Special Forces assaults.

That would be the coup that George Bush welcomed happily.

We can't have discussion of this in the broader media anymore though, because it clearly demonstrates the superiority of the mighty Clenis (and his 2/3ds approval) over the Chimperor Disgustus.



Fez tip to Eschaton commenter SteveLG.