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Taliban had US support says pakistan PM { August 24 2006 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.aspx?cu_no=2&item_no=104088&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.aspx?cu_no=2&item_no=104088&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23
Taliban had support of the US, says Bhutto
Published: Thursday, 24 August, 2006, 09:31 AM Doha Time
NEW YORK: Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto has said that the Taliban, who came into being during her tenure, not only not aligned with Al Qaeda, but they also had the support of the United States.
This could be the first time that she has conceded that the Taliban were the creation of her government, a move that appears to have had a nod of approval from the US. Gen Naseerullah Babar, Bhutto's home minister, has been credited with being the "godfather" of the Taliban, whom he used to call "my boys."
Bhutto was speaking to Voice of America's Murtaza Solangi in New York before departing for London after more than a month's stay with her husband who is receiving medical attention for a heart condition and a number of minor ailments.
She told VOA that it was not right that her government should be charged with the creation of the Taliban. "The Taliban were born during my time had no links with Qaeda. What was more, they had American support," she asserted. She said when the Taliban became involved in global terrorism, she as leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, called on the government to use its influence on the Taliban, warning that otherwise the entire region would face a catastrophe.
Bhutto reiterated that as soon as a date for the next general election in Pakistan is announced, she would announce the date of her return to the country.
Her return to Pakistan would also determine whether the elections to be held are going to be free, fair and transparent.
She charged that between 1988 and 1999, it was the "Establishment" à a euphemism in Pakistan for the military-bureaucracy nexus à that was responsible for keeping various governments and opposition groups in a state of conflict.
She said those who opposed her were also acting at the behest of the Establishment. She did not define what she meant by the Establishment.
Asked about the no confidence move of August 23 in the National Assembly against the prime minister, she replied, "It is not a game of numbers. It is the right of the opposition to move a no-confidence motion against the government and it must do so against a corrupt government".
Answering a question about the Hudood Ordinance, a law relating to Islamic punishments instituted by General Ziaul Haq, the former prime minister said that some of the issues involved, including women's rights, were above party politics.
She said she did not believe in a partisan divide between the government and the opposition when it came to such an issue.
She added that she would do everything possible to improve the condition of Pakistani women. - Internews
Gulf Times Newspaper, 2006 ©
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