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Red faces over remarks on Osama

Nirupama Subramanian

Grossly misquoted, says Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan issued a flurry of clarifying statements after an American TV channel reported remarks by the military spokesman on an agreement between the Government and tribal militants in North Waziristan suggesting Osama bin Laden may not be arrested if found in the region.

According to a transcript ABC News released of its phone interview with Director General, Inter Services Public Relations Major General Shaukat Sultan on the accord signed on Tuesday, this is what he said.

ABC: If [Osama] bin Laden or Zawahiri were [in Waziristan], they could stay [after the peace agreement]?

Maj. Gen. Sultan: No one of that kind can stay. If someone is there he will have to surrender, he will have to live like a good citizen, his whereabouts and exit travel would be known to the authorities.

ABC: So, he wouldn't be taken into custody? He could stay there?

Gen: No, as long as one is staying like a peaceful citizen, one would not be taken into custody. One has to stay like a peaceful citizen and not allowed to participate in any kind of terrorist activity.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said Maj. Gen. Sultan has been "grossly misquoted".

"Pakistan is on the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and his associates. If he is in Pakistan, today or any time later, he will be arrested and brought to justice. No amnesty has been granted to Osama bin Laden. He is an international terrorist who is on the wanted list in Pakistan. He deserves no mercy," the statement said.

The Daily Times said Ambassador to the U.S. Mahmud Ali Durrani issued an almost identical statement in Washington D.C.

The Foreign Ministry accused the ABC of "gross misreporting," and said at no stage during the conversation had Maj. Gen. Sultan said the Waziristan agreement applied to Osama.

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