European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 18, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse Page 14 and stripes sunday March 182007 in the world us plans Aid to secure Pakistan Border by Stephen Graham the associated press Islamabad the us plans to give Pakistan million to economically develop Border areas where Taliban and Al Aida militants Are sheltering a us official said us assistant Secretary of state Richard Boucher said the funds which still need Congress approval would be released Over five years to counter extremism in trib Al areas along the afghan Border where Pakistan bloody military Campaign has failed to defeat the militants Boucher also said the us apartment of defense plans to spend another million in 2007 on upgrading the Frontier corps Pakistan main Border guard Force this is a Good plan a comprehensive plan to provide economic development education and other opportunities to the people who live in the Border regions he told reporters thursday after talks with Pakistan president Gen per Vez Musharraf and other officials weve very pleased to be Able to support it it was Washington latest show of support for Musharraf a key ally of president Bush attempt to fight International terrorism but there Are signs of washing tons growing frustration Over the military rulers failure to prevent the Taliban from supporting at tacks on International troops in Afghanistan and fears that Al Aida is regrouping there Boucher praised Musharraf who seized Power in a bloodless coup in 1999 for promising to Bat the extremism and guide Pakistan Back to democratic Rule we have a fundamental inter est in the Success of Pakistan As a moderate stable democratic mus Lim nation Boucher said that the direction that Musharraf is leading the nation and were proud to work with him but he also expressed concern about the deals that Musharraf struck with tribal elders in North and South Waziristan militant strongholds considered possible hiding places for Al Aida leaders Osama bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawaheri under the deals tribal elders pledged to halt Militancy and Cross order attacks i return for an end to punitive pakistani Mili tary operations that left dead hundreds of suspected militants sol Diers and civilians Musharraf says the deals aimed to pave the Way for massive development Aid simply need bet Ter implementation but critics say it has let the militants Consoli Date their grip on an area steeped in islamic fundamentalism and hostile to the government Al Aida took explosives on airliners in test runs Manila Philippines two top Al Aida operatives smuggled explosive ingredients onto flights from Manila and Hong Kong in 1994 As part of a test run for a failed plot to blow up 12 unbound airliners according to a confidential document obtained by the associated press captured terror suspect Kha lid sheikh Mohammes key role in the Al Aida plot to simultaneously bomb the commercial planes flying out of Asia in a 1995 plan called project Bojin a was one of several admissions that he made the us de sense department said defense department officials released a transcript of Moham meds confessions detailing his claims of roles in 31 terror plots worldwide during a hearing at Guantanamo Bay prison a separate confidential Docu ment on the us interrogation of Mohammed which was shared with philippine officials de tailed How he managed to smug Gle explosive ingredients onto a Manila Seoul flight in 1994 the associated press Mohammes capture May have slowed Al Aida Islamabad Pakistan Khalid sheikh to hammers capture four years ago did not shut Down Al Aida or bring the americans to Osama bin Laden but if his confession is to be believed his arrest was a crushing blow to bin Laden plans for even More deadly attacks in the Wake of his exper Tise was never replaced and his absence contributed to the groups transition from a fear inspiring at tack Force to a hat filled voice on the internet urging others to wage terror against the West in terms of competence for managing planning and executing terrorist attacks Kim was the Best in Al Aida said Rohan Gunaratne a terrorism expert and author of a Book on Al Aida that Why Osama bin Laden and other important Al Aida leaders entrusted him with so Many operations in his testimony to a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay released in redacted form by the Penta gon on wednesday Mohammed claimed involve ment in 31 attacks and plots Hes a boastful character i think after four years of silence hed probably like to be up there with the likes of bin Laden and Ayman Al Zawaheri As a major figure and ideologue and impress peo ple with everything Hes done said Ahmed rash id a Pakistan based author on islamic Militancy even if his self proclaimed status is somewhat exaggerated he gave the americans lots of information about what kind of ideas Al Aida had and How they put their plots together said Magnus ran Storp a terrorism expert at the swedish National defense College Mohammes information gives us a glimpse into the groups imagination he said the associated press apus car Cunn acc j Al invt by Citso go from Green to Gold use your previous army experience earn your College degree and Start your new career As an office and Leader the amid Roth Given to Gold program will he Pyou earn your credentials and achieve Success to learn How to apply for a scholarship visit scholarship applications Are due by april 007 enrol in army re become an army off Oshry
