The Hindu : Musharraf blames West for terrorism

Musharraf blames West for terrorism

September 30, 2006

London, Sept. 30 (PTI): In yet another controversial statement, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has virtually blamed the US and other western countries for terrorism emanating from his country, saying Taliban and Al-Qaida constituted elements which were initially promoted by the West.

"Terrorism is not a Pakistani phenomenon but an import to the country... The whole world is to be blamed, it (terrorism) is an import to the country," Musharraf remarked while speaking at the Oxford University yesterday.

Mujahideen, who were brought, trained and financed by the West to fight Soviet troops coalesced into Al-Qaida after the withdrawal of the invading (Soviet) troops, he said. Referring to Taliban, the General said the members of the religious seminaries were also recruited, financed and armed by the US and the West. He, however, acknowledged that Pakistan had supported Taliban against Soviet troops.

After the Soviet defeat, Pakistan was left high and dry by the world to fend off 30,000 Mujahideen and to deal with over four million Afghan refugees, said Musharraf against whom the realisation is growing worldover that he is not a sincere ally in war against terror.

The comments came days after Musharraf said that after the 9/11 attacks, the US had threatened to bomb Pakistan to stone age if it did not cooperate in the war against terror, generating much heat. He had also said that CIA had paid money for transfer of Al-Qaida cadres.