We are posting this for a few reasons. First, because every news outlet in Pakistan is reporting the story of a “Secret US Order” that allowed military raids into Pakistan. Second, former President Musharraf’s stand that neither he, nor anyone in his government, approved these raids. Third, the current government’s regular complaints to the US over the ever increasing drone attacks in the tribal areas of Pakistan going unheard.

The NY Times story, re-produced below, gives the world the details of a 2004 confidential order signed by Donald Rumsfeld and George W. Bush. According to the news story, this order gave the US military open orders to enter and operate within any country where the US felt al-Qaeda was hiding, including Pakistan and Syria. 

And the American’s wonder why there is so much anti-Americanism in the world today…. I guess when you categorically decided to attack anywhere in the world, kill innocent civilians and destroy people’s homes, people should welcome you with parades and guards of honor… I guess that only happens in Pakistan….

Additionally, this should make us very suspicious of any of the IMF conditions, especially the demand to decrease our military forces by 1/3 and re-vamp, shut down in US terms, our Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). These terms were never acceptable in the past and should not be considered as part of any IMF support package. 

Secret Order Lets U.S. Raid Al Qaeda in Many Countries By ERIC SCHMITT and MARK MAZZETTI

WASHINGTON - The United States military since 2004 has used broad, secret authority to carry out nearly a dozen previously undisclosed attacks against Al Qaeda and other militants in Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere, according to senior American officials.

These military raids, typically carried out by Special Operations forces, were authorized by a classified order that Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld signed in the spring of 2004 with the approval of President Bush, the officials said. The secret order gave the military new authority to attack the Qaeda terrorist network anywhere in the world, and a more sweeping mandate to conduct operations in countries not at war with the United States.

In 2006, for example, a Navy Seal team raided a suspected militants’ compound in the Bajaur region of Pakistan, according to a former top official of the Central Intelligence Agency. Officials watched the entire mission - captured by the video camera of a remotely piloted Predator aircraft - in real time in the C.I.A.’s Counterterrorist Center at the agency’s headquarters in Virginia 7,000 miles away.

Some of the military missions have been conducted in close coordination with the C.I.A., according to senior American officials, who said that in others, like the Special Operations raid in Syria on Oct. 26 of this year, the military commandos acted in support of C.I.A.-directed operations.

But as many as a dozen additional operations have been canceled in the past four years, often to the dismay of military commanders, senior military officials said. They said senior administration officials had decided in these cases that the missions were too risky, were too diplomatically explosive or relied on insufficient evidence.

More than a half-dozen officials, including current and former military and intelligence officials as well as senior Bush administration policy makers, described details of the 2004 military order on the condition of anonymity because of its politically delicate nature. Spokesmen for the White House, the Defense Department and the military declined to comment.

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Newsweek called Pakistan “the most dangerous nation in the world.” Western media calls Pakistan “a power-keg waiting to explode,” while their military describes us as “being in a fight for our national existence.” The world that we all claw and fight to get visas to visit, live and study in believe that Pakistanis are “barbarians,” “terrorists sympathizers,” and “too illiterate to expect better of.” This is our Pakistan to the world. This not our Pakistan to us.

61 years ago, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam stood before a thunderous crowd in Lahore, he showed us our destiny:

We have achieved our cherished goal of freedom and have established Pakistan as an independent, sovereign State, fifth largest in the world. That freedom can never be attained by a nation without suffering and sacrifice has been amply borne out  by the recent tragic happenings in this subcontient. We are in the midst of unparalleled difficulties and untold sufferings; we have been through dark days of apprehension and anguish; but I can say with confidence that with courage and self-reliance and by the Grace of God, we shall emerge triumphant.

Our Pakistan, today, faces threats to its stability and existence from both internal and external forces. Through co-ordinated campaigns, the world opinion is being turned against our Pakistan as “a terrorist state,” “failed state,” and “a haven for terrorists.”

Internally, foreigners to our soil have made it a battleground for their own “quasi-religious” battles with the West and made us feel unsafe in our own homes and office. This is not our Pakistan.

Our Pakistan is a proud, independent, sovereign State whose borders are non-negotiable. But our nation has been used and abused by numerous pretenders to the throne and jackals masked as friends, while true allies and leaders where pushed aside for personal gain. These abuses have made Pakistani turn against Pakistani for personal and political gain damaging our national unity. These abuses have made our Pakistan a victim of terrorism and violence that has caused our proud nation’s reputation to be damaged.

The words of the Quaid give us inspiration:

Do not for a moment imagine that your enemies can ever succeed in their designs. But at the same time do not make light of the situation facing you. Search your hearts and whether you have done your part in the construction of this new and mighty State.

Do not be over whelmed by the enormity of the task. There is many an example in history of young nations building themselves up by sheer determination and force of character. You are made of sterling material and are second to none. Why should you also not succeed like many others, like your own forefathers. You have only to develop the spirit of the “Mujahids”. You are a nation whose history is replete with people of wonderful grit, character and heroism. Live up to your traditions and add to it another chapter of glory.

Our Pakistan’s history is full of examples when the people were called upon to save the nation from internal and external threats. Independence in 1947. The 1965 War with India. The 1971 war with India. 1988 and the March to Democracy with Benazir Bhutto. October 2005 when Pakistan shook and crumbled under nature’s fury. These years mark historic times in Pakistan when the nation banded together with one vision, one call, one mission: Save Pakistan.  Read more »