I am very hopeful that this move will not backfire. Primarily, because I feel these two and other generals are more loyal to the country than their own interests and thinking(naive! me? ehehe).
But a worth-while question is, what will Gen Usmani and Gen Mehmood now do. Will they just accept a perky but benign ambassadorship to a far-off country, or will they be appointed a Governor or head of a public corporation, or will they end up like Hameed Gul and Aslam Beg, by providing us a daily dosage of their pearls of wisdom through newspapers and political parties?
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Originally posted by Akif:
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Nothing but masala.
Pakistan has been getting unusually high exposure in the media lately.
...
just a face saving exercise, of which india decided to be a part as well.
**
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Your Gen. Pervez Musharraf made a very bold statement allowing the US use of Pak airspace. It goes deeper then you may think. By allowing the use of Pakistan airspace Pakistan is vulnerable to attacks from the US.
If the US wanted to Nuke Pakistan it could do it, no warning at all since the airspace is cleared. That is a very supportive and bold move by Gen. Musharraf, make no mistake about it. Someone in that position must have a lot of faith in the government that is being supported.
I am learning. If you think of America as a TRIBE you would realize that we would NEVER NEVER betray a friend, particulary one who takes risks on our behalf. While there is no guarantee that we will always agree, a favor is done at considerable risk is truely appreciated. Thats is why the bond between the US and the UK is so strong. It has been borne of blood in the trenches of two world wars.
Think of this. we have had for 15 years aircraft which no radar in the world can detect. At anytime we could have "nuked" anyone we wished.
If one country wants to nuke another, a clear airspace is not the biggest of problems. Israel destroyed Iraq’s nuclear facilities in 1981 - I am sure it didn’t require permission to enter Iraqi airspace. Similarly Japan never gave permission to US in 1945.
Using nuclear weapons is much more than using air-space. Its a horrifyingly difficult decision for any ruler. Destroying nuclear facilities of another country is one thing, but to drop nuclear weapons and mass-murder a large number of people is a totally different ball-game. And why would America use nuclear weapons on Pakistan at this point and kill a number of muslims in one of the most key states in its hotch-potch of international coalition? Seems senseless.
As regards Pakistan’s own nuclear assets, these are safe, not because we do or do not allow use of our air-space to other Airforces. These are safe, because we protect them to the best of our ability - which todate has proved quite effective. Most people know how many abortive attempts have been made to neutralize Pakistan’s nuclear assets since early 1980’s.
Your Gen. Pervez Musharraf made a very bold statement allowing the US use of Pak airspace. It goes deeper then you may think. By allowing the use of Pakistan airspace Pakistan is vulnerable to attacks from the US.
In addition to Pristines elaborate explanation above, please note that the 'airspace' that was so widely talked about initially has been revised twice by Pakistani authorities. And now, as we have it, the US aircraft have the thinnest possible air corridor through Pakistans airspace. That is why no Pakistanis will ever see any american aircraft flying through our airspace, even though most of them are low flying crafts. And plus, this denial of a wider air corridor has disturbed what the americans thought was there 'monopoly'.
Regarding Pakistani nukes, sit tight. They are safer than americas own nukes.
I am learning. If you think of America as a TRIBE you would realize that we would NEVER NEVER betray a friend, particulary one who takes risks on our behalf. While there is no guarantee that we will always agree, a favor is done at considerable risk is truely appreciated. Thats is why the bond between the US and the UK is so strong. It has been borne of blood in the trenches of two world wars.
Think of this. we have had for 15 years aircraft which no radar in the world can detect. At anytime we could have "nuked" anyone we wished. **
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