Pakistan is a real mess in many many ways, but Musharraf must move carefully against these ignorant fanatics.

They have tried to blow him up at least three times in the past few years and we probably have not heard about the dozens of other plots that have been smashed. Pakisitan is a BACKWARD country. A REALLY BACKWARD COUNTRY. These people are not without influence and powerful friends.

I think the General has been spending a lot of time cleaning out the Intelligence Services there so that he does not have to watch his back 24-7. He cannot move against the Islamists until he can totally rely on the ability to smash them should push really come to shove.

Under the circumstances I think he is doing the best he can , trying to marginalise the loons among the population, and trying to stay alive. Not a job I would want.

We've seen a lot of action from Pakistan recently. If I'm not mistaken, Bush was talking to some leader from India about nukes the other day. Maybe Pakistan took that as a not-so-subtle hint to get its butt in gear and start cleaning out the terrorists.

The most problematic area of Pakistan are effectively beyond government control and the border with Afghanistan very porous. On top of this the ISI, Pakistan primary intelligence agency, includes a lot of people who'd happily install Osama Bin Laden as President of the country. Many in our own government strongly believe Bin Laden is already a comfortable resident of Pakistan.

So how can this be taken as anything other than lip service?

Has it occurred to anyone that the main effect of this move will be to close of the madrassas to foreign scrutiny?

If there's no foreigners in there, then who knows what's going on...the Pakistanis can then claim whatever the hell they like.

Regards, C

I believe in many ways, Pakistan is a bigger threat to western civilization than all other Islamic nations except perhap Saudi Arabia. Both of these countries are actively pursuing programs to spread Islam in this country and elsewhere. Both harbor terrorists and promote them. Both countries are expert in placating both Islamic and western sides. Pakistan is particularly dangerous because they have nuclear bomb capability which they have exported in part to other nations (Iran, possibly North Korea). With friends like Pakistan, who needs other enemies.