US says Pakistan not pulling out troops from suspected Al-Qaeda hideout

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Pakistan has rejected reports it had withdrawn troops from a tribal area near the border with Afghanistan (news - web sites) suspected to be a hideout for Al-Qaeda leaders, the US State Department said.


"Pakistani officials, both publicly and privately to us, have made clear that there has been no withdrawal from Waziristan and that they remain fully committed to continuing the campaign against Al-Qaeda and Al-Qaeda supporters," department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters on Monday.


According to a Pakistani military spokesman at the weekend, soldiers have been withdrawn from the streets of the main town in the troubled South Waziristan district after months of bloody offensives against Al-Qaeda-linked militants.


"Our understanding of the situation with regard to the forces in Waziristan is it's not a change of attitude or inclination or activity on the part of the Pakistanis," Boucher said.

more: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1535&ncid=1276&e=1&u=/afp/20041130/wl_sthasia_afp/us_attacks_pakistan_qaeda

Notice OBL isn't mentioned...just Al-Qaeda. OBL is gone, no need to search for him anymore. :eyes:

Edited to add previous articles:

Pakistan pulls troops from Afghan border area
Bin Laden not hiding there, general says
Saturday, November 27, 2004 Posted: 10:12 PM EST (0312 GMT)
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/27/pakistan.al.qaeda/index.html

Bin Laden Not Hiding on Pakistan Border -Army
Thu Nov 25,10:54
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=574&ncid=574&e=11&u=/nm/20041125/wl_nm/security_pakistan_dc_2

Search for Osama bin Laden continues: top US general
Mon Nov 22, 8:40 AM ET
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1521&e=13&u=/afp/20041122/pl_afp/afghanistan_us_attacks_041122134013

...and he's just salivating at the prospect of aquiring WMD. What? You say you've heard this story before? Nevermind, "Our Leader" doth say that Iran is just itching to be liberated. We haven't been that successful with Iraq, maybe we'll have better luck in Iran.

Oh, and the Pakistani. Don't get me started. AQ Khan (who Bush claims they "broke up" his "nuclear network", even though he gave a nod and a shake when Musharref pardoned him), the ISI, the fact that they FUNDED the Taliban. Oh, nevermind, they are our 'partners in peace'.

Pakistan Receives Defence, Economic Support Aid From US


WASHINGTON, Nov 25 Asia in Focus - Pakistan is to receive more funding from the United States, following approval by the US Congress during its recent Budget session. The US Congress has approved US$701 million for Pakistan, including $300 million in military assistance.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/041125/3/rw2w.html


Pakistan enacts law allowing Musharraf to remain army chief

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan's acting president Muhammadmian Soomro enacted a controversial law allowing President Pervez Musharraf to remain chief of the powerful army, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said.


"President Musharraf will now keep both the offices," Rashid told AFP.


The bill was signed by senate chairman Soomro in the absence of Musharraf, who is visiting Latin America as part of a six-nation tour.


"The bill has been signed by acting president Muhammadmian Soomro," Rashid said.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20041130/wl_asia_afp/pakistan_politics_041130084221