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Pak tells Mullen it will move troops if needed

     Islamabad: Pakistan has told the Unites States that it is not involved in the Mumbai terror attacks, directly or indirectly, and warned that any aggression from India will compel it to move its forces from the tribal areas in the west of the country to its eastern border with India. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is said to have conveyed this missive to visiting Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is on a short visit here. The Dawn quoted sources as saying that Pakistani commanders have made it clear that the 'war on terror' would not be Pakistan's top priority if there was any unusual military build-up by India along the borders. National integrity would not be compromised at any cost, they said. About the list of people sought by India, the president said: They would be tried in Pakistan if evidence against them was provided. Admiral Mullen said the US would play its role to defuse the tension.

    Meanwhile, in an interview with the CNN, President Zardari rejected allegations about Pakistan's involvement in the attacks. No evidence, he said, had been produced to substantiate such claims. The state of Pakistan is in no way responsible. I think these are stateless actors who have been operating throughout the region. Pakistan itself has been a victim of terrorism and fighting the menace resolutely," he said. "Even the White House and the American CIA have said that the state of Pakistan is not involved. We're among the victims. I'm a victim. The state of Pakistan is a victim. We are victims of this war, and I am sorry for the Indians, and I feel sorry for them," he said. The president said the elected government had nothing to do with any militant activity against India.
- Dec 4, 2008

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