Pakistani PM: US Invasion Would ‘Violate Our Sovereignty’

Says He Already Warned Clinton Not to Invade

In comments today, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani cautioned that the US was risking fueling anti-American sentiment across Pakistan with its continued allegations that the Haqqani Network is a de facto wing of Pakistan’s military.

He also said the threats for a ground invasion of Pakistan’s tribal areas were “disturbing” and that any such invasion would be a “violation of our soveignty.” He added that such threats were not appropriate to make toward allies and that he warned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that an invasion was “not acceptable to Pakistan.”

US officials have repeatedly hinted at unilateral ground action against the Haqqani Network, and over the weekend Sen. Lindsey Graham (R – SC) claimed there was “broad bipartisan support” in Congress for invading Pakistan.

Interesting, the US claim that the Haqqanis are under Pakistani control took a major hit today, as the Afghan Taliban claimed that they are actually in control of the network.

White House spokesman Jay Carney today insisted that the prospect of revoking all aid to Pakistan isn’t a “new warning” but rather a reiteration of the Obama Administration’s position. He added that the US is constantly considering revoking Pakistan’s aid.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.