A perfect example of why we cannot appease any of these islamic countries. Pakistan is our supposed friend. We should make the entire middle east a parking lot before they do it to us.

Heh heh!

What else did you expect from this fork-tongued country?

This is a typical attitude of the dictatorial Pakistan regime. They decide to support the "terror plotters", then back out on their own word due to mounting pressure from the West (if there was any)!

I'll believe it when I see it....He is probably hanging out watching American movies and drinking Coke in Pakistan as we speak.

In the immortal words of Captain Renault: I'm shocked, shocked!

Ross is criminal in his reporting. Just report the real news please.

lol...damage control!

The U.S. should immediately cut off all financial assistance to Pakistan in response to this deal with the Taliban. While the possibility of one of the Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the hands of the Taliban seems more likely than ever, it would be wise policy to corner Musharraf by pulling away our own financial support. Essentially, this would isolate his government and make him even more accessible to Taliban threats, a reality that I feel would likely lead him back to providing greater support to the War on Terrorism. Pakistan has been playing games with the U.S. for the last several years--handing over number 3, 4 and 5 al-Qaeda members but never anyone greater. This has largely been tactical and I believe the government does know where bin Laden and al-Zawahiri reside, as Musharraf has even said that the capturing of bin Laden would ultimately jeapordize his own central government from a public revolt. Making deals with the Taliban is unacceptable to U.S. interests, especially considering the territory that these terrorists will now have a free reign over: the area that borders Afghanistan. We will likely see a regrouping of the Taliban and expanded attacks against coalition forces in the upcoming year, and this will all fall on the responsibility of Pakistan's peace accord. It is time for Middle Eastern governments to establish central authority over their people. The U.S. had to do assume this risk during the Whiskey Rebellion under Washington in 1794; it is time these weak and cowardly governments do the same. Nations must shed their own blood for the greater good of their society and the world, and making peace deals with the Taliban is a major step away from this truth.

Bush knows where Osama bin Laden is located

I cover US Department of State press briefings. This entire episode that Brian Ross has investigated is at the heart of this difficulty. You have for instance the city of Karachi, a hot-bed of insurgency, terrorist activity. Remember, this is where the extremist mind placed the Madrass Schools. I have interviewed the former Pakistani US Ambassador... I brought up the various bombings in Europe... London, Madrid etc. I left him a bit more contrite. However, this notion that if Osama bin Laden does not cause trouble... the Pakistani Army will leave him alone.... Why a Peace Deal with the Taliban and letting them cause more havoc in Afghanistan. Does Pakistan really have A.Q. Kahn under house arrest?.... 3 Years ago, I was the first to ask about his terrorist network, and since about the Chinese shipping company, Hutchinson Wampoa, Ltd. When you have rogue actors causing world trouble you don't give up the hunt!
Osama bin Laden and others have received too much publicity... it is time for the Muslim community to call and create his downfall ... not give him a $200.00 free monopoly get out of jail card.

North Korea, China, Russia, Syria, Iran are tough customers.

Sincerely,

Joel Wishengrad

Blotter Reflux. Single source, snip, fill, drive-by (repeat as required).

Why are you guys at ABC News relying on Richard Clarke for anything? You should have learned a long time ago that he is not to be believed.

If an Pakistan has ceeded a region of its sovereignty to the Taliban, how is it that we are winning the war on terror? If the flaws in our intelligence gatering activities have been rectified, then how is it that Bin Laden is still free? If the US is the greatest nation in the history of humanity, how is one man embarrassing us? Or is he being allowed to live free? We as Americans deserve, and should demand, answers to questions such as these. Shame on all of the political officials, whether through blind obedience or silent acquiescence, who have allowed such shame to fall on the country that I, and generations of my family, have fought to defend.

General Sultan was not against Bin Laden and his terrorists before he was for the terrorists who were peaceful citizens.
"-- of course we will go after any terrorist found to be operating here," he said, but it is "hair splitting" to speculate whether troops would be sent in."
General Sultan should come to the USA and run for Congress.

see the phone ross is holding? that's as "investigative" as his "investigations" get. Why isn't he in Pakistan right now instead of sitting in a chair getting make-up put on for his next big breaking "news" report. Give me a break with ABC, they're all a bunch of Bushnik hacks.

This administration would screw up a 2-car funeral. If it had focused on getting Bin Laden to begin with instead of trying to bring the blessings of democracy to Iraq, this would all be a non-issue.

They've now reached the point of calling me and anyone else who disagrees with them Nazis. Seems the pot is calling the kettle black.

The Paki's are our fair weather friends. However, they do face tremendous pressure at home from religious fanatics. If we really need to rely on a country that is held captive by islamic zealots to apprehend Bin Laden, then we are in serious trouble. Fact is we will never get him.

Bin Laden is probably sipping espresso at a french bistro in Paris.

It is very important to understand the politics and current situation of the region before relying on who said what according to the American media. The fact is 80% of Afghanistan is still ruled by Taliban as we speak. This is even with the NATO forces being present there. The truth is that we dont want to capture or kill Osama bin Landen ourselevs who continue to roam freely in the Taliban controlled areas.
Special FBI and CIA operatives continue to work with the Pakistani army in Pakistan to provide intelligence and survalliance on the terrorist network itself since 911? so if they have not been sucessful so far locating Bin laden then how would a military operation help??

Pakistan is an "ally" in the War on Terror and they need to start acting like it. They have been playing both sides of this game. They have taken our money and support and still have done little or nothing to help us capture or kill bin Laden or Al-Zarwarihi. President Bush needs to tell Musharaff that either he can get these people under control or he can expect more of what happened when one of our Predator drones fired missiles into a Pakistani village. We should continue such strikes and send our special forces into Pakistan and eliminate Al-Qadea because it has become clear the Pakistan is either too afraid or unwilling to do so. We can't wait around for other nations to help further our own national security. We have to fight and win this war ourselves.

The US is impotent. What can we realistically do? We need them because we use their air space for military operations. Pakistan knows this and knows they can lead us around by our muzzle because we are weak and afraid of world opinion.

Why should we expect any better from any of the mid-east politicians.

Bottomline is Pakistan can never be trusted. It enjoys its status as the 'Worlds No.1 Trouble Maker' immensely. It is more dangerous today then North Korea and Iran combined.

Every terrorist plot in the last decade has had the name Pakistan stamped on it in bold. US admin needs to finally wake up and realise the Paki's are NO Friends of America.

The pakistani government is the biggest hypocrite in this world. they are formenting trouble in india, afghanistan and this latest- a peace deal with the taliban?what proof more do you want of their double standards?. the bush govt should forget iran and iraq and instead concentrate on pakistan and take control of things there or else the day is not far when it will blow up in bush's face.

What a load of rubbish, even if they were giving sanctuary to Binladin would they accept it in front of the world media? 500 Pakistani soldiers have already died in Waziristan after America asked the Pakistani forces to go in that area. And as far as sanctions go didnt we try these in the 90's ? and what happend, during that time they acquired ballistic missile and nuclear weapons.

Forgot to mention it to the other supposedly learned poster, Pakistan is not even in middle east, its in south asia.

How is Pakistan making a deal with Taliban any different than what Afghanistan did
before 9/11 that resulted in our invading the country? Shouldn't Bush's "no tolerance for
those who deal with terrorists" policy apply to Pakistan?
I notice today's Air Force report shows we are
now conducting as many air strikes in Afhganistan as we are in Iraq so the Taliban are getting a lot stronger thanks to Pakistan.

"We have to fight and win this war ourselves."

Yep. Just like we're doing in Iraq? The only thing more dangerous than the stupidity of the government is the ignorance of the public.

It is well known that media is heavily controlled by anti-Pakistan lobby that always portrayed Pakistan as a questionable "ally". Some of comments posted here represent street mentality and lack intellect. To remind those who have forgotten that Pakistan has captured over 500 terrorist including top brass of Al-Qaida since September 11, 2001. Pakistan does not all depend on US financial or military aid. From 1987 thu 2001, US had stopped most military and financial aid. The sanctions on the country were lifted after 09/11 because of Pakistan's cooperation in war-on-terror. So today, if US decides to cut-off aid to Pakistan, the country will survive. However, it will not strengthen our relationship. Lastly, if the country has made a deal with "extremists" (NOT terrorists), it could not have happened without prior knowledge of US administration as US Intelligence is heavily invloved in Pakistan. I am sure no one likes to make deals with extremists but governement of Pakistan must have it own merits. The military operation in that region has not been successful thus far. Pakistan Army has suffered some heaviy losses in that mountaineous region. In addition, the presence of national army has help anti-pakistan and anti-american sentiments that causing breeding ground for new extremists. All I ask is that please check all the facts before passing any judgement.

How about saying Thank You to Pakistan, who is fighting along US and rest of the world against terrorism. Nobody in US have any idea about the difficult situation in Northern Terroritry of Pakistan. It is the same blame game. Lets begin with own mistakes first.

Hey,
Following are the great adventures of Pakistan.

1) 9/11 master mind, Khalid Sheikh was caught in Pakistan and belived to be pakistani. This was after US pressurised Paki govt. Otherwise he would have been roaming free there..Like Bin..

1) Remember A Q Khan...? Who gave us Iran, N Korea, and Libya. Thanks to Pakistan. How can we forget him..He is still roaming free there..

3) Its the only country which had recognized Taliban govt. and supported talibanism

4) London train bomber were pakistanis and pakistani origins

5) Most of the terrorist activities that happen in India are from across the border in Pakistan

6) Recently caught london-US ariline bombers are of pakistani origins

The list goes on but u need more proof..?

No Surprises here!! Pakistan is a fork-tongued chameleon. Its foreign office is filled with glib liers, who keep a thesaurus handy all the time to use it many times a day, to save it's always erring armies - both official and the militia(a.k.a islamic terrorists.)
And whose to believe that these armies are actually fighting each other!! Ha!!

Read the first sentence: "No one of that kind can stay." Does that mean anything to you people? Rest of the para does not apply to that "kind" of people. Remember that English is a foreign language for this guy, and he is unlikely to be as precise in its use as we are. Can any of you even put together half a sentence in Urdu?

ABC has clearly misrepresented the remarks for sake of a juicy headline, and inadvertently exposed the anti-Pakistani feelings of its readers.

If this is the attitude Pakistanis are going to receive from us after losing hundreds of their soldiers, enduring numerous acts of terrorism and risking civil war for the sake of our security, who can blame them if they decide to stop chasing bin Laden?

This appears to be a good move, there are signs that dissident afghans are already being expelled if you take the trouble to read the Pakistan papers, (which you have to since ours never give the whole story.) Along with that Musharaf is in Afghanistan right now with Sardari and other leaders from Pakistan regarding joint border patrols, etc. to combat terrorism.

Another of many examples of the failed Bush-it policies of the US administration.

Nothing has changed as a result of this move, except that it could potentially placate animosity b/w the gov't of Pakistan and the tribal leaders of Waziristan.

Since its inception, Pakistan has self-servingly struggled to get along with everybody. They do not want to lose favor with the US (b/c of incoming money), they don't want to lose favor with Karzai (b/c US supports Karzai, i.e. money), and they don't want to lose favor with the Taleban (1. if Karzai gets too close to India, Pakistan has a backer; 2. Waziristan issues can be placated if the central gov't of Pakistan aligns with their tribal leaders; 3. Extremists, who play a large role in maintaing military controlled pakistan government, might not be so happy if Musharraf isolates the Taleban.)

ITS ALL ARE FAKE .ACTUALLY ITS A POLITICS OF GOVT OF USA.9/11 IS ALL ABOUT POLITICS AND NOTHING ITS ONLY A NEGATIVE PROPAGANDA ABOUT MUSLIMS

Will all you immature indians stop bashing on pakistan, your own country is in shambles as it is. The attrocities your army commits in Kashmir is well known and documented, India hasn't helped with any matters in the region, and has extremists too. So just shut up and cut the pakis some slack.

we don't know who is playing with the world citizens. we are the humans of the this world so why one nation is playing rest of the world.Osma, is becomeing the symbol of terrorism. that is very strange since before 9/11 he was the most responce perons on the world and now he is the most wanted person