Pakistan's president declared that his country rejects all forms of terrorism, for the first time making no attempt to exclude Islamic militants whose conflict with India over the disputed territory of Kashmir has brought the nations to the brink of war. The statement followed a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose visits to India and Pakistan over the past two days turned into an exercise in shuttle diplomacy aimed at defusing simmering tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Musharraf told reporters in Islamabad: "We are taking steps within Pakistan to bring some degree of normalcy, balance, introducing a tolerant society, checking any form of militancy. All that is being addressed and a final decision will be given when I come and address the nation in a few days' time."
Good move, Mr. President General. You won't regret it, unless one of the armed religious lunatics running around your country shoots you. Hope the cleanup operation goes well. |