Bounty hunting in a land of tribal loyalists

Down the road at a meeting spot for leaders from the Waziristan agency, the idea of US forces entering Pakistan was even less welcome. The views from the Wazir tribal leaders reflects an independent mindset that analysts say the Pakistani government will be hard-pressed to change anytime soon.

"The only people working with the government to help the Americans are government puppets," says Omar Khan, a burly man sitting on a rope netting inside a wooden bed with a half dozen colleagues. "Locals are still siding with the Taliban. We still love them, and we aren't about to fight our own people with US blood money. Even if you gave me all the money in the US treasury, I'd never help hand Osama and his friends over."

Saif Ullah, a major in the Pakistani intelligence services until 1998 and, more recently, a consultant for NBC News, says there is a deal for "hot pursuit," though he expects the Pakistani government to continue to deny its existence. "On the one hand, I think that the government is in favor of this as a means of strengthening its own control, but in practice I think it would be very, very difficult for the US to move around there," he says.

Mr. Ullah goes on to say that he thinks the "hot pursuit" deal is a part of an overall Pakistani military plan to seize greater control of the country's lawless border areas.

"I've been contacted myself, because the government is now recalling all the old Pashtu speakers in the intelligence services to help out," he says. "Our old policy of sympathizing with the Taliban has changed, but the government still needs us."

The former intelligence officer expects Pakistan to demonstrate its own military intent to root out Al Qaeda cells in exchange for increased US funding for its military endeavors. "You will see beautiful searches carried out and even some resistance will be shown," he says. "Some of the big fish smugglers will be accused and arrested."

A group of US Senators visiting with President Musharraf Tuesday said that they expect him to make a crucial anti-terror speech later this week, which, they believed, would outline the country's new attitude toward hardcore Kashmiri and Afghan militants.

With Washington's assistance in hand, Pakistan can hope to gain a "tighter grip" on the tribal areas, says the former intelligence officer.

"For now, the government has signed an agreement with the tribal elders saying it will not stop their lucrative smuggling business, but that deal will be broken by the government in time. It is the law of the jungle in these tribal areas, and by moving around with the Americans and their money, the Pakistani forces can do what they want."

Not so fast, say Waziristan's tribal leaders. Mohamad Shafiq, whose studious-looking wire-rim glasses hug his long nose is, himself, a would-be trusted confidant of the Pakistani government. He says he is on the government payroll for helping with the crucial hunt for bin Laden and his associates. "No one can check our homes in Waziristan," he chuckles. "The Army only dares deploy at checkpoints. We don't even recognize the Pakistani government, since we are an independent people."

"We'll welcome Osama anytime he drops in," Mr. Shafiq adds. "He is, afterall, our hero. But where is he? I haven't a clue. Do you?"

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