-Caveat Lector- Print this article | Close this window US leaves Pakistan as protest spreads By Hamish McDonald, Herald Correspondent in Islamabad, and agencies March 22 2003
The United States closed its embassy in Pakistan yesterday for an indefinite period as protests grew countrywide against the US-led attack on Iraq. Non-essential embassy staff flew out of Pakistan on Thursday, leaving a small number of personnel and marine guards. Private US citizens have been advised to consider leaving the country, as have nationals of allied countries, including Australia. Pakistani police have cordoned off roads leading to the US embassy and to US consulates in other cities, which have also been closed except to handle queries from US citizens. Armed police in bulletproof vests have appeared on many street corners in major cities, and extra guards placed on hotels and other locations used by foreigners. The main Islamic opposition group, the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA, or United Action Forum), urged Muslims to join a nationwide strike yesterday, but it was not immediately clear how many would heed the call. "This is a war against all the Muslim states and they should defend their Muslim brethren in Iraq," said Liaqat Baluch, an MMA spokesman. Street protests have intensified with groups of Islamists gathering after Friday prayers at mosques in many cities and towns, while professional and citizen groups have held vigils. The Government issued a statement on Thursday saying that it deplored the US attack, but many Pakistanis feel this has not been strong enough. A big test of popular feeling will come on Sunday, when the MMA has called a mass protest in the eastern city of Lahore, by which time the main "shock and awe" attack on Iraq may have started and more civilian casualties may be reported. In neighbouring Afghanistan, the UN on Thursday temporarily suspended non-essential operations as Kabul peacekeepers stepped up patrols amid fears of a backlash to the Iraq attack. The UN's special envoy to Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, said most UN staff in Afghanistan would remain home for at least 48 hours, but stressed that the organisation was not abandoning the war-ravaged country. Colonel Thomas Loebbering, a spokesman for the 29-country International Security Assistance Force which patrols Kabul, said operations had been increased 20 per cent in response to intelligence reports of an increased threat from extremist groups infiltrating the Afghan capital. "We have taken counter-measures already and these are ongoing," he said. This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/21/1047749942316.html Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sutra <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://archive.jab.org/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
