Two of our "allies" in the war on terror are permeated with terrorists and supporters of terrorism themselves. Their internal divisions are messy, difficult, and risky for everyone.
Pakistan's army confirmed yesterday that several officers have been arrested on suspicion of being linked to Islamic extremist groups. The move will raise renewed fears that the security organs of Pakistan, a nuclear power and important Western ally in the war on terrorism, have been infiltrated by allies of the former Taliban regime and Osama bin Laden. The Pakistani military spokesman, Maj Gen Shaukat Saulat, admitted that three or four mid-level officers, including a lieutenant colonel, were being investigated for violation of discipline and about suspected links to Islamic extremist groups.Posted by Alan at September 1, 2003 01:18 PMvia The Telegraph
A new book, cloaked in secrecy until Sunday, reports that top Saudi and Pakistani officials continually cooperated with Osama bin Laden. Although ostensive allies in the war on terror, these new allegations are sure to stir up a diplomatic controversy, Time magazine said in a review. The new book, "Why America Slept," is written by veteran investigative author Gerald Posner. Posner quotes two senior sources about the Sodium Pentothal-induced interrogation of al-Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah who was captured in March 2002. Zabaydah told interrogators that various high-ranking members of the Saudi royal family maintained contact and funding with bin Laden in the years leading up to the Sept. 11th, 2001 attacks.
Posner names Prince Turki al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, the kingdom's longtime intelligence chief, as the main bin Laden contact. Turki has admitted to some meetings, but denied any cooperation. Posner also names Mushaf Ali Mir, a high-ranking Pakistani air force officer, as another contact.
Saudi Arabia's King Fahd has ordered Muslim clerics to combat extremist ideologies which he said have duped some Saudi youth into joining terrorist cells that aim to harm the kingdom and Islam.
Saudi Arabia, birthplace of Islam and of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, is trying to quash militants at home and improve its image abroad after the September 11 attacks on U.S. cities two years ago and suicide bombings in Riyadh in May.
"Ignorance has penetrated some of the nation's youth and tempted terrorist networks to use them for aims which only serve the nation's enemies and harm Islam and Muslims and open the door for accusations against Islam of violence and terrorism," King Fahd said in a speech carried by newspapers on Sunday.
"Brothers, this sorry state calls for contemplation and treatment and this is not difficult because what is needed is reforming this deviant and strange thinking by delivering the correct message at mosques against excess in religion."
His speech to an Islamic conference on Saturday comes as the United States steps up pressure on its key regional political and economic ally to crack down on Muslim militants and reform its powerful religious establishment which has been accused in the West of breeding hatred towards Christians and Jews.
King Fahd told the gathering of clerics from across the Muslim world that the duty of mosques was to preach peace, security, cooperation, justice and tolerance.
via Reuters