BBC : Pakistan 'the West's main ally'

Pakistan 'the West's main ally'

BBC News | September 30, 2006

The president of Pakistan has warned the West would be "brought to its knees" without his country's co-operation in the war against terror.

President Pervez Musharraf said in a BBC Radio 4 interview that Pakistan was the West's "main ally".

"If we were not with you, you won't manage anything," he said.

Earlier this week Tony Blair assured Mr Musharraf a leaked paper condemning Pakistan's intelligence service did not reflect his government's view.

In the leaked report, an officer at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed Pakistan's intelligence service, ISI, had indirectly helped the Taleban and al-Qaeda.

In the BBC interview Mr Musharraf rejected these claims and said ISI's support was vital.

"You'll be brought down to your knees if Pakistan doesn't co-operate with you. That is all that I would like to say. Pakistan is the main ally. If we were not with you, you won't manage anything," he said.

"Let that be clear. And if ISI is not with you, you will fail."

'Historic debt'

He also claims the US and Britain had a historic debt to pay as Pakistan had helped "win the Cold War" for the West.

He also argued the West's strategy in Afghanistan towards the end of the Cold War helped to create the conditions which led to al-Qaeda's rise.

President Musharraf said mujahideen fighters went into the area from all over the world and the West armed and trained the Taleban. He said Pakistan was then left "high and dry".

His comments develop arguments he has made over the past few days at meetings with US President George W Bush and Tony Blair and a speech given in Oxford.

Of the leaked MoD paper, British defence officials said it was written by a junior official, was unfinished and had not been seen by anyone who actually makes government policy.

After two hours of talks on Thursday Downing Street said Mr Musharraf had accepted Mr Blair's reassurances.