Published: May 06, 2008 11:20 am            

Baitullah Mehsud

Baitullah Mehsud is not a name well known to most Americans. But in Pakistan he is greatly feared. Mehsud is the leader of a group of militant coalitions that control the mountainous area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. For years, he has been accused of being behind the many armed attacks and suicide bombings both in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is also presumed to be behind the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

Now the Pakistan government is negotiating a cease fire with Mehsud. If this happens, Mehsud will be allowed to retain his private armies, control the border areas with Afghanistan and align with the Taliban for more attacks inside Afghanistan, where American troops are still fighting an on-going war.

This is a dangerous precedent for any government to set: if you don’t attack our major cities, we will allow you to operate within our country and attack others.

        

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