Following is the text of a leaflet that will be be dropped in Mehsud areas in coming days. The text is both in Urdu and Pashto.
Urdu part is shown here.
Clicking on the text image to the left will take you to its source webpage where you can view both Urdu and Pashto versions.
This is a positive gesture in my view and may counter the propaganda which local people are subjected to by the enemies of Pakistan. One has to distinguish between good guys and bad guys here and try to get as many good guys on your side as possible. English translation of the message is given below:
My Message to the Proud Mehsud Tribes: I admit that all of our tribal areas including Mehsuds are faithful to Pakistan and they have always worked for the defense of Pakistan as volunteers.
The aim of current military operation is not to attack proud and patriotic Mehsuds but it is to save them from the clutches of ruthless terrorists who have destroyed peace of the whole region. Therefore the aim of this operation will be Uzbek terrorists, foreign terrorists and local terrorists.
Miltary’s aim is to let Mehsuds live in their area in peace. I am hopeful that Mehsud tribes will side with Pakistan military in this operation and will rise as one against these ruthless terrorists so that Pakistan’s green crescent flag will once again flutter in Mehsud lands with full glory. God Bless you. with best wishes. Gen Ashfaq Kayani. Long live Pakistan. Long Live Pak Military and Long Live Mehsud tribes.
Credits: APP
Brian, I think the people of Pakistan are well aware that this “enemies of Pakistan” rhetoric is all word play. These militants were used by the Pakistani army as long as it suited the States, and now that it doesn’t suit the States they are faced with being told to get rid of them, which they attempt rather half heartedly from time to time. In fact they cannot control them any more.
The authorities cannot just create a new image–in the 80s the militants were the noble mujahadeen, now they are the “evil” Taliban–that sort of historical amnesia works in America but not in the place where people are actually involved.
Rebranding the problem does not make it go away. I would imagine the Pakistani army is pretty loathe to be perceived as killing fellow Muslims at the behest of the West. I don’t think their heart is in this work, even if they keep telling themselves they are killing “Uzbeks”.
Respectfully, Brian, your logic – and that of the article – cuts both ways. Weren’t these same militants who are the epitome of evil today, heroes and mujahideen when the battled the Soviets on American behalf?
Now, I am not glorifying anything about these thugs. There is nothing good to be said about them, and they need to be tackled. But your criticism sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.
Peace,
Hmm
I do think I would AT LEAST have expected an initial Peace in this letter
in the form of Salam , or Salam-o-Alaiquum
at the beginning of this letter………
………….or at least at the terminal part of this letter.
-But I just guess I have had the unique opportunity to have been enlightened, moderately !!!
Manners …where have they gone ??
-or are even the manners sent together with bombs………..?
Peace be upon Pakistan
Tina says: “Blaming all the problems that Pakistan is having with terrorism on “Uzbeks” is about the nuttiest thing I have ever heard of.”
This is what the note says.
It says: ” Therefore the aim of this operation will be Uzbek terrorists, foregin terrorists and local terrorists.”
Uzbeks are only a part of the Army target. They are a problem and need to be dealt with. Nobody is blaming EVERYTHING on them.
What do you think the note meant when it mentions ‘local terrorists’?
Just read a very good article on New York times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/18/opinion/18friedm an.html?_r=1
It kind of hits the nail on the head. The absence of “people power” and presence of one bad idea for the other is what we see in Pakistan today. Islamic militants are good when they hit India but they are daemons when they attack Pakistan. Perhaps the salvation of Pakistan is only possible with the people power, when Pakistani’s stop the denial and shun any support (moral or physical) to these extremist.
Until then there is no way Pakistan can get rid of the Taliban.