US denies role in Nawaz’s return

Source: Pakistan Dawn

WASHINGTON, Nov 27: The United States has said that it played no part in arranging former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s return to Pakistan.

Talking to Dawn in Washington, a State Department official cautiously welcomed Mr Sharif’s return, saying that it’s for the people of Pakistan, and not the United States, to say whether his return will be good for them.

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“We cannot say whether or not we welcome it,” said the official when asked if Washington welcomed Mr Sharif’s return.

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“This is a matter among Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Mr Sharif. The United States plays no part.”

Read more: http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/28/top11.htm

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Saudi role in Pakistan increases

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia countered criticism it was vying for political clout by sending former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan ahead of the Jan. 8 elections.

Saudi Arabia "surprised" the Bush administration by returning Sharif to Pakistan Sunday following years of exile in the kingdom.

Sharif is a top contender for prime minister, a situation officials in Washington reportedly view with disdain.

Bush administration officials see Sharif as too close to Islamists in Pakistan and they fear his tenure would degrade the economic and social reforms spearheaded by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, The Wall Street Journal said Thursday.

Officials in the United States and Pakistan reportedly see the move by Saudi Arabia as an attempt to insert itself into Pakistani affairs as Musharraf's power is diminishing.

Read more at link: http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/11/29/saudi_role_in_pakistan_increases/8282/

This administration has blown all credibility for our country for at least the next 20 years. Whether the Bushies enabled, allowed, didn't protest or in any other way acquiesced to the Saudis letting Sharif return to Pakistan, there is a case to be made that it was done with our connivance, and no amount of bluster or denial can change people's perceptions.

What it boils down to is that the U.S., in the eyes of the world, is fooling around with the power structure of a nuclear-armed dictatorship. And this administration's track record on foreign relations doesn't indicate a high level of competence. The world is right to be alarmed.