Pakistan orders troops to open fire if US raids

[inanna]

Source: AP

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's military has ordered its forces to open fire if U.S. troops launch another air or ground raid across the Afghan border, an army spokesman said Tuesday.

<snip>

Pakistan's civilian leaders have protested the raid but say the dispute should be resolved through diplomatic channels.

However, army spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas told The Associated Press that after U.S. helicopters ferried troops into a militant stronghold in the South Waziristan tribal region, the military told field commanders to prevent any similar raids.

"The orders are clear," Abbas said in an interview. "In case it happens again in this form, that there is a very significant detection, which is very definite, no ambiguity, across the border, on ground or in the air: open fire."


Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_PAKISTAN?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-09-16-08-09-53

[crim son]

1. No kidding!

Can you imagine how we'd react if Pakistan decided to run raids inside our borders? I cannot believe we are doing this!

[leveymg]

2. This issue isn't an easy call. There may be a reason that covert operations aren't used.

Military raids normally aren't required to take out specific individuals. The usual approach would be for the CIA to employ local operatives to kidnap or assassinate targets. For some reason, the Bush-Cheney Administration have taken a more provocative step of employing open military force across Pakistan's borders.

I guess the question that needs to be asked is, why now? Is the Administration trying to provoke hostilities with the Pakistani military, or some sort of terrorist counter-attack?

[whistle]

4. It's called baiting for expanded war before the end of Bush/Cheney term

[crim son]

5. I think it's an easy call.

Covert operations are just that, covert and not intended to provoke military action. I agree with your question, "Why?"

[whistle]

3. Show down time, are these U.S. military troops or Blackwater SS?

... I guess it really doesn't matter which troops they are, the result will be the same, Cheney gets his expanded war and the stage will be set for bombing Iran.

[laststeamtrain]

6. K & R n/t.