Politicians and pundits – in Pakistan and the United States – have been waxing indignant to the point of belligerence over the past week about the potential fallout from the spectacular way U.S. Special Forces willfully violated Pakistan’s sovereignty to get Osama bin Laden.
For example, on the one hand, we had Pakistani Prime Minister Raza Gilani making plainly hollow threats to take out the Navy Seals if they ever attempt another such mission; while on the other, we had Bill O’Reilly making equally hollow demands for the U.S. to cut off Pakistan for harboring bin Laden.
By contrast, here is how I pooh-poohed any potential fallout:
The Americans are sensible enough to allow the Pakistanis to do or say whatever is necessary to save face.
(Osama bin Laden is Dead, The iPINIONS Journal, May 2, 2011)
Well, now come reports that the U.S. and Pakistan actually struck a deal 10 years ago to do just that:
The U.S. and Pakistan struck a secret deal ten years ago to allow unilateral American action against Osama Bin Laden if he was ever found in Pakistan, it was reported last night. And Pakistan agreed to oppose the raid as a smokescreen to cover up the agreement.
(London Daily Mail, May 10, 2011)
Enough said?
Except that I would be remiss not to commend former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf for outperforming Captain Renault in Casablanca when he claimed to be “shocked, shocked” by the unilateral American action against bin Laden. After all, he was the one who actually struck this Machiavellian deal with former President George W. Bush – notwithstanding his Janus-faced denial.
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Osama bin Laden is dead