Inside the Ring

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Pakistan problems

Pentagon counterterrorism officials are growing more and more frustrated with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf over his continued refusal to allow U.S. forces and personnel to conduct military and paramilitary strikes against al Qaeda terrorists in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

The 10,507-square-mile region bordering Afghanistan is one place al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and his key aides are thought to be hiding.

The Pakistani leader is refusing to permit U.S. attacks because of pressure from Islamists in his own government.

One big problem is the Pakistani intelligence service, known as ISI. "The ISI is playing a double game," said one Pentagon official who noted that Islamist elements of the service are backing America's terrorist enemies.

Following the recent rise in anti-government violence in Pakistan, the State Department is trying to broker political changes in the Islamabad government that some in the Pentagon say will likely further destabilize Gen. Musharraf's regime.

One plan is to arrange some type of political arrangement with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who is said to be popular in the country, and who could return in the near future. Another former leader, the exiled former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, also will soon head back to Pakistan, perhaps as early as next week.

Intelligence sources said Gen. Musharraf is ready to accept Mrs. Bhutto's return, but not that of Mr. Sharif. Indications are that Gen. Musharraf has a military aircraft ready and waiting to force Mr. Sharif out of the country as soon as he tries to come back.

Gen. Musharraf, a key Washington ally despite the problems, seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999 that sent Mr. Sharif into exile in Saudi Arabia.

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