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CIA May Launch New Covert Ops in Pakistan

Posted Jan 6, 08 7:32 CST in World 

(Newser) – Bush administration officials are weighing plans for the CIA and US military to conduct new, more aggressive covert operations in Pakistan, the New York Times reports. The proposal is a response to growing al-Qaeda and Taliban efforts to destabilize Pakistan, cast in sharp focus by the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Pakistan officials, however, say they will not allow such operations.

"It is not up to the US administration; it is Pakistan's government who is responsible for this country," a Pakistani leader told AFP in response to the Times report. US diplomats and military officials warn that American-led operations in tribal areas along the Afghan border could backfire, further weakening the already unpopular Musharraf government.
Sources: New York Times, AFP

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An armed supporter of the Pakistani radical Islamic group 'Lashkar Islam or Army of Islam' keeps guard during a rally in Bara, the main town of Pakistan's lawless Khyber tribal region near the Afghan...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's Army troops arrive to take positions in the area of Matta near Mangora, the main town of Pakistani district Swat along Afghan border, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. Pakistan reiterated that it will...   (Associated Press)
Mangil Bagh, second right, Chief of the Pakistani radical Islamic group 'Lashkar Islam or Army of Islam' with his aides, attends a rally in Bara, the main town of Pakistan's lawless Khyber tribal region...   (Associated Press)
Armed supporters of a Pakistani radical Islamic group "Lashkar Islam or Army of Islam" keep guard on their colleagues, who listen to a speech by the party's chief Mangil Bagh, unseen, during a rally in...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of a Pakistani radical Islamic group 'Lashkar Islam or Army of Islam' listen to a speech by the party's chief Mangil Bagh, unseen, during a rally in Bara, the main town of Pakistan's lawless...   (Associated Press)
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George W. Bush • Pakistan • al-Qaeda • Taliban • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • CIA • Osama bin Laden


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