The inauguration this week of Pakistan’s new president, Asif Ali Zardari, widower of the slain Benazir Bhutto, should have brought some hope and direction to embattled Pakistan. It did not. A sense of weary déjà vu hung over the event. Zardari’s first major policy statement was a vow to continue waging the so-called "war on terror" in northwest Pakistan. Zardari’s choice of the Bush administration’s terminology was a clear message to Washington he intends to pursue the hated policies of disgraced former US-backed dictator, Pervez Musharraf. Pakistan will continue to dance to Washington’s tune. Khaleej Times: Zardari is the New Musharraf. Pakistan Daily: PAKISTAN'S TALIBAN ARE CIA: Clearly, the U.S. is stung by Pakistan discovering who is the real enemy. Pakistan has decided to liquidate the so-called ‘Pakistani Taliban’ and is succeeding with popular support. It has become apparent that the insurgency in the FATA and elsewhere in NWFP is aided and abetted by the U.S. It wants to weaken the control of the federal government over the provinces and regions of Pakistan and it does not care whether it is achieved by Islamists or by ethnic nationalists. It supports the BLA as well as Baitullah Mehsud. It maintains its contacts with the MQM, the ANP, Baloch Nationalists as well as the JUI. It came to court the PPP as it concluded it was not overly concerned with ‘national interests’. PressTV: US drones overfly Pakistan.
