Anger after apparent U.S. missile strike in Pakistan

[maddezmom]

Source: Reuters

DAMADOLA, Pakistan (Reuters) - Angry residents of a Pakistani village on the Afghan border stopped government officials on Thursday from approaching the ruins of a house struck by missiles suspected to have been fired by a U.S. drone.

Eighteen people including foreign militants were killed when two missiles hit a house in the village of Damadola in the Bajaur tribal region, where Islamist militants have been known to operate, on Wednesday evening, a security official said.

A spokesman for Pakistani Taliban militants said the strike was aimed at derailing peace talks with the new government.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, asked about an attack apparently carried out by the United States, said: "I strongly condemn this. It's absolutely wrong. It's unfair. They should not have done this action."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080515/wl_nm/pakistan_missile_dc

[annabanana]

1. We had better forge a relationship with

the new gov't in Pakistan asap. (the new "we")

[maddezmom]

2. Top Taliban leader vows revenge on America after alleged missile strike in Pakistan

After attending a funeral for seven men said to have been killed, Faqir Mohammed, a cleric and deputy leader of Pakistan's Taliban movement, vowed revenge.\

"This is jihad for us, and we fully know the price we have to pay for fighting aggressors," said Mohammed, who is accused of links to al-Zawahri and other al-Qaida operatives.

"America martyred our people, and the blood of our brothers will not go to waste," he said. "God willing, we will avenge it by targeting America."

Later Thursday, several thousand protesters attended rallies in Damadola and Khar, Bajur's main town, called by Islamist political parties. Demonstrators chanted "Death to America" and slogans against Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

The alleged missile strike could embarrass Pakistan's new government, which is trying to pursue peace deals with militants. The negotiations have stirred alarm in the U.S., which long backed Musharraf's more forceful tactics. Western officials worry that such deals may simply give militants time to regroup and plan attacks in Afghanistan and the West.


more:http://sg.news.yahoo.com/ap/20080515/tap-as-gen-pakistan-missile-strike-3rd-l-d3b07b8.html

[uppityperson]

3. I'm so out of it, are the Taliban "back" in power?

[Winterblues]

4. Isn't this exactly what Obama wants to do

He sounded mighty gung ho to bomb Pakistan just a few weeks ago so I doubt many here will see anything wrong with this

[unc70]

6. Yes, he has been for attacking in PK for months

I posted about that several times months ago. More aggressive towards Pakistan than Clinton towards Iran.

[Supersedeas]

5. sovereignty -- what's that?