Pakistan Tells America To Avoid Raids on Its Territory

Pakistan told America to refrain from any military action on its territory against suspected Al Qaeda members, saying Pakistani security forces are responsible for anti-terrorist operations.

"Any attack inside our territory would be unacceptable," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said in Islamabad yesterday, the official Associated Press of Pakistan reported. Any such action would be "irresponsible and dangerous."

The American government maintains the option of "striking actionable targets," White House spokesman Tony Snow said at a briefing in Washington on Monday.

At the same time, the American government recognizes that Pakistan is a sovereign government and an important player in the fight against terrorism.

The anti-terrorism strategy being used by President Musharraf is failing, American intelligence officials have said in recent days. General Musharraf, already denounced by Pakistan's Islamic parties, earlier this month ordered security forces to storm Islamabad's Red Mosque to end a standoff with clerics, an operation that sparked street protests and suicide bombings that killed more than 130 soldiers and civilians.

General Musharraf's attempt to achieve a political settlement with tribal leaders in the border region with Afghanistan has backfired, Director of U.S. National Intelligence Michael McConnell said two days ago on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. The 2006 agreement for tribesmen to expel non-Pakistani gunmen has resulted in Al Qaeda establishing a haven there, he said. President Bush's Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend has said the American government wouldn't rule out taking military action inside Pakistan in the event of a specific Al Qaeda threat to America.

Pakistan is "combating terrorism in our own interest," Ms. Aslam said, according to APP. "We do not want our efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter that is inconsistent with the principles of international law."

Security forces will act based on information gathered by Pakistan's own means or after "concrete" intelligence shared by other countries, she said.

The 2006 accord with tribal leaders in North Waziristan has been "helpful," she said, adding that the government wanted to continue with the agreement even if it is only 20% effective. "We are the best judge how to deal with it."

Pakistan's anti-terrorism strategy uses military action, political change, and economic development to try to eradicate extremism, General Musharraf has said.