An influential American newspaper on Monday cautioned the Bush administration against attacks inside Pakistani territory and called for devising a policy that bolsters Pakistan's civilian government while enlisting its full support in the fight against extremists.
"If an American raid captured or killed a top Qaeda or Taliban operative, the backlash might be worth it. But if there were any chance of permanently rooting out extremists from the tribal areas, that will have to be done by Pakistan's military, backed up with sustained programmes for economic and political development," the New York Times said in an editorial, which expressed dissatisfaction with Pakistan's anti-terror efforts.
It also noted that President George W Bush's decision to send troops across the border was made in desperation. "We fear that a rising number of civilian casualties, on both sides of the border, is driving more people into the hands of the repressive Taliban and other extremist groups. These attacks are also making Pakistan's new President Asif Ali Zardari, look weak and irrelevant," said the editorial: "Running Out of Time".
"He (Zardari) deserves a chance, and American support, to fulfill his promises to bolster democracy, clean up Pakistan's intelligence services and work with the United States to defeat terrorism.
"Zardari made a start, inviting President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan to his inauguration," The Times said, noting his speech to Parliament on Saturday that he said his government would not allow terrorists to launch attacks on any neighbour from Pakistani soil, nor would it tolerate further American military incursions.
Admiral Mullen, it added, made a fence-mending trip to Pakistan last week and Pentagon officials say they are reviewing the overall strategy. "Any revised plan must do a lot more to avoid civilian casualties and support, rather than undermine Pakistan's civilian leaders. Congress can do its part by approving a $7.5 billion aid package, intended to strengthen Pakistan's trade democratic institutions and its counter-insurgency capabilities", the editorial said.
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