Biden states Pakistan rather than Afghanistan as greatest worry

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/u...how/5562723.cms

Pakistan, not Afghanistan, my greatest worry: Biden

PTI, 2010/02/12 01:31

WASHINGTON: US vice president

Joe Biden on Thursday said that his greatest concern was not Afghanistan nor threat of Iran turning nuclear but Pakistan, which he said had a significant radicalised population and only a "functional democracy".

Translation: functioning at will of army chief, or functioning in name-only--as Biden "clarified" later (see below).

"I think it's a big country that has nuclear weapons that are able to be deployed. It has a real significant minority of radicalised population"¹, Biden said. Pakistan is not "a completely functional democracy in the sense we think about it², and so that is my greatest concern", the US vice president said.

Biden's comments come as US and Nato troops are all set to undertake their biggest offensive on Marjah to retake the Helmand Valley from the Taliban and pressure being exerted by the Obama administration on Pakistan to widen its crackdown on militants.

Notes:

1. accurate, especially as it includes many first-tier citizens (over-brigadier-rank current and erstwhile military personnel, including erstwhile chiefs-of-staff)
   
2. Though Biden (like many Americans) is not really aware of full details, Pakistan has never been a fully-functional democracy since 1951-10-16--and held only one fair (but not upheld, 1970) election since that time
   

[Ban Hammer 14,566]

just when obama thought his headache had gone away, along comes biden.....

[Saddle Bronc 124]

just when obama thought his headache had gone away, along comes biden.....

How is this quote a headache--oops, I guess I forgot the fact that it shows biden thinks more cogently/accurately than 0bama Edited February 11, 2010 by Saddle Bronc

[The_Dude 1,142]

A lot of polticians and diplomats have been tip toeing around this for years. Pakistan is supposedly an ally in the war against terror, yet they don't have complete control of their own country.

[Ban Hammer 14,566]

How is this quote a headache--oops, I guess I forgot the fact that it shows biden thinks more cogently/accurately than 0bama

obama wanted to send more troops to afghanistan. biden just contradicted that decision.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

A lot of polticians and diplomats have been tip toeing around this for years. Pakistan is supposedly an ally in the war against terror, yet they don't have complete control of their own country.

About as much control as LAPD has over East LA.

Unlike Los Angeles, most of Pakistan is modern and civilized.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

A lot of polticians and diplomats have been tip toeing around this for years. Pakistan is supposedly an ally in the war against terror, yet they don't have complete control of their own country.

More like decades--since the unremorseful war-criminal 1977-1988 dictator of that country was quite happy to take much aid (arms AND moneys) from Reagan (1981-1988) with claims of helping Afghans against Soviet occupation--while simultaneously encouraging Salafi-style extremists who had/have extreme hatred of West including US (Zia and his toady ISI head Akhtar Rehman were behind the 1979 burning of Islamabad US Embassy).

As to how Pakistani government lost control of their own country, they deliberately refused to learn from 1971 and re-imposed military-tyranny (described by some, such as Ghulam Jatoi, as "even worse than 1971") on it--more than once (1977, again in 1999--and there is another reimposition coming soon).

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Biden, of course, is correct. Afghanistan make look like a problem now but it does not have access to game changing weapons. Imagine if a Taliban type government acquired nuclear weapons?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

A lot of polticians and diplomats have been tip toeing around this for years. Pakistan is supposedly an ally in the war against terror, yet they don't have complete control of their own country.

Neither does Obama.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Biden, of course, is correct. Afghanistan make look like a problem now but it does not have access to game changing weapons. Imagine if a Taliban type government acquired nuclear weapons?

Past-tense already--since rogue mohajir scientist A.Q. Khan had already stated to Sialkot-born journalist Kuldip Nayar in 1987 that Pakistan had nukes; Zia and his toady Akthar Rehman--who was bumped-off by Beg along with Zia and fellow war-criminal Brig. Siddique Saliq--were the fathers and teachers (in brutality/goondacracy) of Taliban!

[The_Dude 1,142]

Neither does Obama.

Hush Marc, adults are talking.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Hush Marc, adults are talking.

Gee you can even talk with your mouth full! Try scratchin your a$$ and talkin. Dont forget to put down the doughnut though.