David Ignatius says in the Washington Post that even while protesting against these attacks, the Pakistani government has made a deal with the U.S. to allow them to continue. Is Zardari is trying to continue the double game that Pakistan has been playing for years? One wonders if anyone in Washington has taken notice of this report. Friend and Ally Update: “Pakistani president demands halt of U.S. drone attacks,” from Xinhua, November 3 (thanks to Eleutheria ´H Thanatos):
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) — Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday said the United States drone raids on Pakistani territory should be stopped, describing them as counter-productive, private TV channel Geo reported.
Zardari met Commander of the United States Central Command General David Howell Petraeus and Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher here at the President House, said the report.
He said, “Continuing drone attacks on our territory, which result in loss of precious lives and property, are counterproductive and difficult to explain by a democratically elected government. It is creating a credibility gap.”
Zardari said that the U.S. leadership has affirmed respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, in the wake of drone attacks on Pakistani side of the border the government was under pressure to react more aggressively, he added….