NationStates Jolt Archive

I find this interesting as another example of his seeming to not give a straight answer. I can't find a reference at the moment but I know a week ago he gave a press conference and was asked if he would send troops into Pakistan to get bin Laden. Bush said no, that Pakistan was a soveriegn nation and that it wouldn't be right for us to do such a thing. Seems he's changed his mind.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14928145/

I find this interesting as another example of his seeming to not give a straight answer. I can't find a reference at the moment but I know a week ago he gave a press conference and was asked if he would send troops into Pakistan to get bin Laden. Bush said no, that Pakistan was a soveriegn nation and that it wouldn't be right for us to do such a thing. Seems he's changed his mind.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14928145/
Huh. Interesting.

I believe this is the press conference to which you are referring:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060915-2.html

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=323966&sid=SAS
US helicopter gunships violate Pak air space
Islamabad, Sept 20: Six American helicopter gunships have allegedly violated Pakistan's air space by intruding into the country's tribal region.

The US helicopter gunships had intruded into Lawara Mandi area, about 55 kilometres West of Miranshah, the capital of North Waziristan tribal agency, after militants attacked allied forces in Pipali in Afghanistan near Pakistani border, eyewitnesses claimed.

The helicopters violated Pakistan's air space more than six times in the area and the Pakistani security forces did not react, local daily 'Dawn' reported today.

Constant air space violations by us helicopters triggered tension and senior military officers flew in choppers from Miranshah to assess the situation, it quoted Pakistani officials as saying.

Pakistan in the past lodged protest against such intrusions by US planes and helicopters from Afghanistan while pursuing militants.

The latest incident followed a deal between Pakistan government and the local tribesmen to stop militants from crossing the border.

Bureau Report

I believe this is the press conference to which you are referring:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/09/20060915-2.html

Thank you.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Earlier this week, you told a group of journalists that you thought the idea of sending special forces to Pakistan to hunt down bin Laden was a strategy that would not work.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q Now, recently you've also --

THE PRESIDENT: Because, first of all, Pakistan is a sovereign nation.

Q Well, recently you've also described bin Laden as a sort of modern day Hitler or Mussolini. And I'm wondering why, if you can explain why you think it's a bad idea to send more resources to hunt down bin Laden, wherever he is?

THE PRESIDENT: We are, Richard. Thank you. Thanks for asking the question. They were asking me about somebody's report, well, special forces here -- Pakistan -- if he is in Pakistan, as this person thought he might be, who is asking the question -- Pakistan is a sovereign nation. In order for us to send thousands of troops into a sovereign nation, we've got to be invited by the government of Pakistan.

Secondly, the best way to find somebody who is hiding is to enhance your intelligence and to spend the resources necessary to do that; then when you find him, you bring him to justice. And there is a kind of an urban myth here in Washington about how this administration hasn't stayed focused on Osama bin Laden. Forget it. It's convenient throw-away lines when people say that. We have been on the hunt, and we'll stay on the hunt until we bring him to justice, and we're doing it in a smart fashion, Richard. We are. And I look forward to talking to President Musharraf.

Look, he doesn't like al Qaeda. They tried to kill him. And we've had a good record of bringing people to justice inside of Pakistan, because the Paks are in the lead. They know the stakes about dealing with a violent form of ideological extremists. And so we will continue on the hunt. And we've been effective about bringing to justice most of those who planned and plotted the 9/11 attacks, and we've still got a lot of pressure on them. The best way to protect the homeland is to stay on the offense and keep pressure on them.

First he praises Pakistan and how they are as eager to hunt down al Qaeda terrorists and how he respects Pakistans sovereignty. Now he doesn't? This little conference came after Pakistan said they would not touch bin Laden if he lives a "peaceful" life in Pakistan. What else could have changed if that did not change Bush's confidence in Musharraf?

Bah, Pakistan was never much of an ally to begin with. They can't even control their entire country, let alone hunt down terrorists.