Political Quotes

“a regional approach to the war on terrorism is critical to success. The U.S. national security team must fully understand the dynamics between actors, as well as the strategic considerations which are guiding the responses to U.S. requests in this battle of good versus evil. In developing our policy toward Pakistan, for example, some have argued that it is imperative that we address the long-standing relationship between the ISI and the Taliban and between the ISI and Osama bin Laden. We must not ignore facts such as the ISI's past warnings to bin Laden about U.S. military action. There are reports that on August 20, 1998, when the United States launched cruise missile strikes on bin Laden terrorist training camps in southeastern Afghanistan, it was the head of Pakistan's ISI at the time who contacted bin Laden to warn him about U.S. surveillance and attempts to track down his whereabouts. He also cautioned bin Laden to relocate immediately because U.S. strikes were imminent. We must also address the power relations within the Pakistani government to accurately assess the General's ability to contain challenges from the ISI. These and other factors have a direct bearing on U.S. short-term capabilities and long-term response to terrorism originating in this region. In looking at Afghanistan, we must be careful not to follow a microcosmic view of the problem.”