FEATURE ARTICLE
...the Western coalition is trying a new approach of reconciliation...The Taliban...are also not sufficiently strong for a military victory. Yet they have dismissed any notion of talks until the last foreign soldier leaves Afghanistan...The North Atlantic Treaty Organization showed its willingness to compromise on core principles by publicly approving Washington-backed Karzai's proposal...Overnight, Mullah Omar has gone from "condemned terrorist" to Karzai's brother...
...A special National Assembly session has been called this week for in-camera briefings on the "real situation" in NWFP, that is, that it has virtually fallen into the hands of the Taliban and the government has no option but to wage war against the Taliban - and with American help. Zardari also admitted in the press that a string of US Predator drone attacks on the Taliban in Pakistani territory had been approved by Pakistan. Islamabad initially expressed outrage at the incursions into its territory.
Earlier, US joint chiefs chairman Admiral Mike Mullen confirmed Asia Times Online's report that American bases would be established in Tarbella, 20 kilometers from Islamabad to train Pakistani troops and to take part in operations in the tribal areas...
...Kiani is expected to purge the dissidents and replace them with more pro-US officers. Asia Times Online has learned that the former garrison officer commanding Kohat, Major General Niaz Khattack, who performed successful operations in the Waziristan tribal areas and who is presently serving in the United Nations' Georgia mission, is likely to return to Pakistan soon. He is tipped to oversee the smooth running of the new Pakistan-US "joint venture" that will take place inside Pakistan...(Asia Times).
Full Article: http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JJ07Df02.html
