Pakistan, a Troubled Ally

Move Towards India? : "Pakistan's behavior has fallen well short of what Americans are entitled to expect from an ally in the war on terrorism. Although it has cooperated in the arrest of some leaders of Al Qaeda, Pakistan has never adequately sealed the Afghan border. That made it possible for key Qaeda fugitives to escape and now allows Pakistani recruits to join a reviving Taliban. Pakistan still provides Kashmiri terrorists with sanctuary and access to areas bordering Indian-ruled territory. Wresting Kashmir away from India remains an open goal of Pakistani policy, with violence considered a legitimate tool.

Pakistan has behaved extremely irresponsibly with respect to nuclear weapons. American experts believe it may have helped both North Korea and Iran develop nuclear weapons technology. Pakistan's own nuclear weapons are thought to be under General Musharraf's control, but in a country whose history has been scarred by repeated military coups, that is not totally reassuring. Democracy remains a distant mirage.

Pakistan's help in Afghanistan, though less than ideal, is still needed. Now Washington is hoping General Musharraf will contribute Pakistani peacekeeping troops to Iraq. If that can be done under a United Nations flag, it makes sense. Otherwise, America must look for ways to reduce its dependence on General Musharraf. Fighting terrorism effectively requires allies untainted by terror. "