Pakistan's embattled president touts gain in war on terrorism
Musharraf may finally be reaping the success of his agreement with local tribes near the Afghan border.
from the March 23, 2007 edition
Page 2 of 3
For critics, a success in name only
But for many skeptics, the fighting has been a success only for Musharraf's public image. They see the flareup in the tribal belt as nothing more than a local dispute that the government is spinning for good press at a time of crisis.
While this week's developments could restore a bit of much-needed credibility, analysts say, it is not likely to restore the president's chipped public facade.
"The uprising against [the Uzbeks] does not in any way harm those who are against the coalition forces in Afghanistan," says Ijaz Khattak, a professor of international relations at the University of Peshawar. "You deliver some people, you get a lot of propaganda, while actually nothing is happening."
In fighting that has sharply intensified, a pro-government tribal elder in South Waziristan, Maulvi Nazir, is mounting an attack against Uzbeks of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, an Al Qaeda affiliate that fought alongside Afghans and Arabs during the US invasion.
"We see it as a positive sign that our strategy is working in the tribal areas," says Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, a spokesman for the military. "Tribes are on board with the government. The locals are fed up with foreign militants in their area."
The development comes shortly after US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Congress in a hearing on Tuesday that Pakistan needs to do more in the tribal belt.
"You have to separate the population from the foreign fighters. And you do that through fighting – the Pakistani Army fighting them, through the tribals fighting them," Rice said.
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