Musharraf Rules out U.S. Strikes in Pakistan

Incredibly, the neocons have been talking about launching military operations in Pakistan. If serious it would certainly lead to the toppling of their man in Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, who is already facing strong opposition from his own people:

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday his forces were fully capable of dealing with al Qaeda militants and dismissed the possibility of U.S. forces taking anti-terrorism action on Pakistani soil.

Musharraf's remarks came after a spate of statements from U.S. officials suggesting the U.S. military kept open the option of a strike against Taliban and al Qaeda targets on Pakistani territory.

There are no good options. Al Qaeda is using that country as a base of operation to attack US/NATO forces in Afghanistan and carrying out terrorist acts throughout the world. The Bushies, in their typical reckless manner, would be willing to attack Pakistan which would only fuel insurgency in Iraq and elsewhere. It could be just a way of getting Musharraf's attention. But, then again, it could be just another crazy military adventure:

Musharraf is an important ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism but administration officials and lawmakers say he should do more.

President George W. Bush spoke on Saturday of being "troubled" by an al Qaeda rebuilding of strength in Pakistan, raising speculation about some kind of counter-terrorism operation in the lawless regions.

And on Thursday U.S. congressional sources said negotiators had agreed on legislation that would tie U.S. aid to Pakistan to significant progress by Islamabad in cracking down on al Qaeda.

The agreement must still to be approved by the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The Bush administration last week released unclassified excerpts of a major intelligence report that concluded the United States faces a heightened threat from al Qaeda in part because of the Pakistan safe haven.