Zeppistan
15-02-2005, 20:12
Only now they are doing it in a more roundabout fashion (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4249525.stm)
Pakistan says it has paid 32m rupees ($540,000) to help four former wanted tribal militants in South Waziristan settle debts with al-Qaeda.
Military operations chief in the region, Lt Gen Safdar Hussain, said the payments were part of a peace deal signed on Monday with tribesmen.
It is the first time Pakistan has admitted making such payments.
Also on Wednesday, wanted militant Abdullah Mehsud rejected Monday's peace deal signed by others in his tribe.
Gen Hussain said four former wanted militants had insisted they needed the money to pay back huge sums to al-Qaeda.
Haji Sharif and Maulvi Abbas received 15m rupees each, while Maulvi Javed and Haji Mohammad Omar were each paid one million rupees.
Gen Hussain said a sum of 20m rupees was also offered to tribal leader, Baitullah Mehsud, who signed the peace deal, but that he rejected it.
The commander said the militants had initially sought 170m rupees.
The peace deal offers an amnesty in return for the tribe's pledge not to support al-Qaeda and Taleban militants or attack government installations.
Right.
These tribal leaders promise NOT to support Al Qaeda - you know - except for that little matter of handing over to them a half million dollars to be provided by Pakistan's government.
:rolleyes:
Gee.... wonder what al qaeda will do with the money..............
Pakistan says it has paid 32m rupees ($540,000) to help four former wanted tribal militants in South Waziristan settle debts with al-Qaeda.
Military operations chief in the region, Lt Gen Safdar Hussain, said the payments were part of a peace deal signed on Monday with tribesmen.
It is the first time Pakistan has admitted making such payments.
Also on Wednesday, wanted militant Abdullah Mehsud rejected Monday's peace deal signed by others in his tribe.
Gen Hussain said four former wanted militants had insisted they needed the money to pay back huge sums to al-Qaeda.
Haji Sharif and Maulvi Abbas received 15m rupees each, while Maulvi Javed and Haji Mohammad Omar were each paid one million rupees.
Gen Hussain said a sum of 20m rupees was also offered to tribal leader, Baitullah Mehsud, who signed the peace deal, but that he rejected it.
The commander said the militants had initially sought 170m rupees.
The peace deal offers an amnesty in return for the tribe's pledge not to support al-Qaeda and Taleban militants or attack government installations.
Right.
These tribal leaders promise NOT to support Al Qaeda - you know - except for that little matter of handing over to them a half million dollars to be provided by Pakistan's government.
:rolleyes:
Gee.... wonder what al qaeda will do with the money..............