Printed in the Star Banner, March 13, 2003
February 27, 2003
Editor,
Americans questioned why terrorists Osama bin Laden and Al Queda were moved out of the sight of our gun barrels to be replaced by Saddam Hussein and Iraq.
Seymour Hersch, reporter for the New York Times, told it like it is on PBS Frontline 2/21/ 2003. When our troops cornered thousands of Taliban and Al Queda soldiers in northern Afghanistan, President Bush approved permitting them to be flown out to northern Pakistan. In that mix were some Pakistan military leaders. Pakistan President Musharraf told Bush if coalition troops killed any of the Pakistan military leaders, Muslim leaders in Pakistan would rebel and could remove Musharraf from office. Muslim leaders then would have control over Pakistan's nuclear weapons. Removed to Pakistan, the enemy troops have regrouped, and coalition forces could not go in after them.
Reuters, 2/27/2003, reported leaders of the Muslim population and right wing religious parties made big gains in the October, 2002, elections. Those elected warned Musharraf not to permit coalition forces to come into Pakistan nor back a U.N. resolution that would allow war in Iraq. Musharraf fears any attack on Iraq will stir unrest among Pakistan's mainly Muslim population which could result in his being removed from office.
Writers state that one of the worst unintended consequences of a war with Iraq could be the overthrow of the government in Pakistan by Muslim rebels.
Bush believes a highlight of his presidency will be bringing democracy and Christianity to the Middle East nations, starting with Iraq. He best be aware of some unintended consequences of his drive to do so.
James M. O'Hara