Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf told his nation in a TV address today that the US decision to go after suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden does not target Islam or the people of Afghanistan.
"Nowhere have the words Islam or the Afghan nation been mentioned," in discussions between Pakistan and the United States about cooperating in their efforts to battle terrorism, he said.
Wearing his military uniform, he warned that the terrorist attacks against the United States and Pakistan's decision to help the US find and prosecute the perpetrators has put his country in its worst crisis since its last war with neighbouring India in 1971.
"Pakistan is passing through a very serious time," he said. "Our decision today will impact on our future."
He said the United States has not prepared an operation plan yet and therefore the details of the support being sought from Pakistan are not fully known.
However, what is known is that the United States wants Pakistan's help on intelligence gathering and logistics as well as permission to use its airspace, General Musharraf said.
"Pakistan is passing through a very delicate phase," he said. "If we make a mistake now, it will affect our future."
To cooperate with the United States and stand together with the international community will ensure the country emerges as a "responsible and dignified Pakistan.
"Pakistan's decision will have far-reaching implications. A wrong decision could imperil our future," he said.
General Musharraf said the United States is in the grip of "grief, anger and vengeance."
Their targets are bin Laden, his Al Qaida organisation accused by the Untied States of operating terrorist camps in Afghanistan and the Taliban rulers, who have given him refuge.
The United States is building an international coalition and has the backing of United Nations resolutions in its efforts.
"The fight is against terrorism which has the support of al the Islamic countries," said General Musharraf.
AP