Image courtesy: apmlonline.org
In the week following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan's military ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf came under instant U.S. and international pressure to act against Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, who was hiding in Afghanistan. The Taliban, who were ruling Afghanistan, were officially recognized by Pakistan – along with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Soon after 9/11, India had publicly offered to let the U.S. use its military bases for an attack on Afghanistan, potentially and logistically paving the way for the invasion of Pakistan first. Pakistani rulers were worried about their country's territorial integrity.
On September 19, 2011, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who had come to power through a coup in 1999, addressed the Pakistani nation. In a televised speech, he outlined the demands made by the U.S. leaders for Pakistan's support in intelligence sharing and facilitation of logistics for an operation against Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.
In the address, General Musharraf also stated that it was not an act of cowardice to support the international community in the war against the Taliban. Arguing in favor of pragmatic wisdom in making his decision, Gen. Musharraf pointed out that Prophet Muhammad himself had signed a no-war peace pact with his enemies in Mecca – known as the Hudaybiyya agreement[1] – in order to thwart anti-Muslim conspiracies on the part of the Jews.
"The Prophet explained later that it's best for Islam, and it's the right thing to do. And time proved him right. Six months later there was a war with the Jews, and the Meccans did not support the Jews, and the Muslim forces won. And some time after that, Mecca also fell to Islamic mujahideen," Musharraf added.
General Musharraf's historic speech, translated from Urdu, was produced by a website specializing in documenting his role in Pakistan and in international relations.
Following is the text of the speech:[2]
"I Shall Share With You the Kind of Support That They [the U.S.] Expect from Us: Intelligence – Information Exchange; Use of Air Space; Logistic Support"
"Asalam-o-Alaikum [Peace be upon you]
"I am here to talk about the episode of terrorism that we have all witnessed in New York which involved 45 countries and people of all ages were killed. There were capable Pakistanis and I would like to convey my deep sympathy to their family members.
"America has 3 targets: Osama Bin Laden (Al-Qaida Movement); Taliban; International terrorism
"Now I shall share with you the kind of support that they expect from us: Intelligence – Information exchange; Use of Air Space; Logistic Support. No operations plans are ready or available at the moment.
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"Their target from the beginning has been Osama bin Laden, and his movement. Their second target is the Taliban. This has been their demand for many years – to bring Osama to trial. Now they have also announced a war against terrorism.
"We do not have any details from the U.S. of the exact nature of the support from us. But we do know that they have the support of the UN Security Council. The UN resolution specifies punishment for those committing terrorism. This has been supported by all the Islamic countries."
"Let's Look at Our Neighbors: They [e.g. India] Have Promised the U.S. All Cooperation; They Want to Isolate Us, Get Us Declared a Terrorist State"
"We in Pakistan are facing a very critical situation perhaps as critical as the events in 1971. If we make the wrong decisions, our vital interests will be harmed.
"I have discussed all this with my corps commanders, politicians and prominent Pakistanis. Tomorrow I am meeting the tribal chiefs. I have to say that opinions are divided, but the vast majority supports us. I would say that about 15% are tending towards emotional reactions.
"Let's look at our neighbors. They [e.g. India] have promised the U.S. all cooperation. They want to isolate us, get us declared a terrorist state.
"They have met in Dushanbe with some other countries and plan to try and install [an] anti-Pakistani government in Afghanistan. So our neighbor is busy trying to harm us. If you see their television, they are busy with propaganda against us.
"I want to tell them to 'lay off.' Our forces are on full alert and ready for a do-or-die mission. In this situation, if we make the wrong decisions, it can be very bad for us. Our critical concerns are our sovereignty, second our economy, third our strategic assets (nuclear and missiles), and fourth our Kashmir cause. All four will be harmed if we make the wrong decision. When we make these decisions they must be according to Islam."
"When the Jews Saw That Islam was Getting Stronger, They Started to Conspire Against the Muslims; When the Prophet [Muhammad] Saw This Happening, He Signed a No-War Pact [Hudaybiyya Agreement] with His Enemies in Mecca"
"It's not a question of bravery or cowardice. But bravery without thinking is stupidity. Allah has said that he who has hikmat [pragmatic wisdom] has a huge blessing. We have to save our interests. Pakistan comes first, everything else is secondary.
"Some ulema [Islamic scholars] are trying to react on pure emotions. I want to remind them of Islam's early history. The move [by the Prophet Muhammad] from Mecca to Medina (hijrat) – was this (God forbid) cowardice? This was wisdom to save Islam.
"Then when the Jews saw that Islam was getting stronger, they started to conspire against the Muslims. When the Prophet (PBUH) [i.e. peace be upon him] saw this happening, he signed a no-war pact [Hudaybiyya agreement] with his enemies in Mecca. I want to remind you of that pact. At the end of the pact, where his signature was required, the Meccans demanded that he cannot sign it as 'Prophet Mohammad.' The Prophet (PBUH) agreed.
"The Prophet explained later that it's best for Islam, and it's the right thing to do. And time proved him right. Six months later, there was a war with the Jews, and the Meccans did not support the Jews, and the Muslim forces won. And some time after that Mecca also fell to Islamic mujahideen."
"I Am Concerned About Afghanistan and the Taliban; At This Time, We Have to Make Sure That Our Enemies Do Not Succeed in Their Designs to Harm Us; Pakistan is Regarded As a Fort of Islam"
"Let me say that I am concerned about Afghanistan and the Taliban. I have tried to convince world leaders not to impose sanctions on them in the past. I have tried my best, but sadly without much success.
"In the present situation, we have been trying to convince the Taliban to be wise. We have also asked the U.S. for evidence about Osama bin Laden. Also, how do we best serve Afghanistan's interests? By going against the world community or by working with the international community? I am sure you will agree with me that we can only do the latter.
"I also know that there are people who are using this to promote their personal agendas. At this time, we have to make sure that our enemies do not succeed in their designs to harm us. Pakistan is regarded as a fort of Islam. If this fort is damaged, Islam will be damaged.
"I ask you to trust me, like you trusted me when I went to Agra [to hold talks with Indian leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee].
"May Allah guide and protect us.
"Pakistan Zindabad! [Long live Pakistan!]"
[1] The 628 Hudaybiyya agreement, between the Prophet and the Meccan tribe of Quraish, was signed for a period of 10 years, which became, in Islamic tradition, the time limit for any agreement with non-Muslims. The Hudaybiyya agreement was broken after 18 months; Muhammad's army then conquered Mecca.
[2] http://presidentmusharraf.wordpress.com/, accessed September 7, 2011. The text has been lightly edited.
