Pakistani doctor who helped US in bin Laden raid sentenced to prison

[JBond]

Hmm.... most of us have known this for a long time, but at least Pakistan is now being honest regarding their support of terrorism. If you turn in a terrorist your are operating against the country of Pakistan and you will go to jail. Nice place.


A Pakistani doctor who helped the U.S. track down Usama bin Laden was sentenced to 33 years in prison on Wednesday for conspiring against the state, officials said, a verdict that is likely to further strain the country's relationship with Washington.

Shakil Afridi ran a vaccination program for the CIA to collect DNA and verify bin Laden's presence at the compound in the town of Abbottabad where U.S. commandos killed the Al Qaeda chief last May in a unilateral raid. The operation outraged Pakistani officials, who portrayed it as an act of treachery by a supposed ally.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/23/pakistani-doctor-who-helped-us-in-bin-laden-raid-sentenced-to-prison/#ixzz1vhhD9Tlm

[CashMan]

Hmm.... most of us have known this for a long time, but at least Pakistan is now being honest regarding their support of terrorism. If you turn in a terrorist your are operating against the country of Pakistan and you will go to jail. Nice place.


I saw this.. I think this just puts into perspective what Pakistan is.

[casmith07]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?

[DFWJC]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?
In this case, no. Not if the KGB took out one the worst terrorists in modern history.

[CashMan]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?


If the KGB were to kill the worlds #1 terrorist, no.

[casmith07]

In this case, no. Not if the KGB took out one the worst terrorists in modern history.

That's why I don't agree with their reasoning at all. But it puts into perspective what Pakistan thinks of the United States.

[DFWJC]

That's why I don't agree with their reasoning at all. But it puts into perspective what Pakistan thinks of the United States.
No doubt

[JBond]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?


What are you talking about? That makes no sense at all. Pakistan, a supposed ally, was harboring a terrorist next to a military base.

The equivalent would be the US harboring Chechen terrorists wanted by the KGB next to West Point.

Some days you appear very confused.

[Cajuncowboy]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?

:confused:

Really?

[arglebargle]

What are you talking about? That makes no sense at all. Pakistan, a supposed ally, was harboring a terrorist next to a military base.

The equivalent would be the US harboring Chechen terrorists wanted by the KGB next to West Point.

Some days you appear very confused.

Or the US aiding and harbouring terrorist plane bombers?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_Flight_455

The world of intelligence operations can be nasty and brutal.

The Pakistanis are scapegoating this guy, because he's someone they can get ahold of easily. For public consumption. While elements of the Pakistani government favor the west, others have been deeply involved with the Taliban from the time when we too were supporting it against the Soviets. The populace has very different opinions, and the people in power have to consider that when trying to stay in power.

[zrinkill]

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?

I would not jail a doctor who aided the SIS arrest a terrorist.

[ABQCOWBOY]

While I don't agree with it, their reasoning makes sense.

If you flip it around, wouldn't you jail a doctor that aided the KGB, for example?


Yes. However, why would we be consider as "KGB" and not MI5? That's kind of the point to me. Why would we be viewed as an unfriendly as opposed to an ally?

[JBond]

Or the US aiding and harbouring terrorist plane bombers?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cubana_Flight_455

The world of intelligence operations can be nasty and brutal.

The Pakistanis are scapegoating this guy, because he's someone they can get ahold of easily. For public consumption. While elements of the Pakistani government favor the west, others have been deeply involved with the Taliban from the time when we too were supporting it against the Soviets. The populace has very different opinions, and the people in power have to consider that when trying to stay in power.


Forgot about that Cuban mess. Solid point.

[a_minimalist]

If we are an ally what is the problem? If we are on the same team shouldn't it be okay to share resources? If they were on our side it wouldn't be an issue.

I don't like hearing that the doctor was sentenced to jail though. After all, he did help us.

[Seven]

Make it a hole. Fill it with water.

[DallasEast]

The consequences of superceding a country's sovereignty will always be a sticky issue. In this case, I wished the C.I.A. had extracted the good doctor out of Pakistan and relocated him to a NATO country or the U.S before or during the bin Laden operation.

[burmafrd]

The consequences of superceding a country's sovereignty will always be a sticky issue. In this case, I wished the C.I.A. had extracted the good doctor out of Pakistan and relocated him to a NATO country or the U.S before or during the bin Laden operation.


the Company only does that for those that will be of future use. That Doctor was already past his sell by date.

[DallasEast]

the Company only does that for those that will be of future use. That Doctor was already past his sell by date.
You may be right, but they should have strongly considered doing so if they did not.

[casmith07]

Yes. However, why would we be consider as "KGB" and not MI5? That's kind of the point to me. Why would we be viewed as an unfriendly as opposed to an ally?

Because we're the United States :laugh2:

[casmith07]

The consequences of superceding a country's sovereignty will always be a sticky issue. In this case, I wished the C.I.A. had extracted the good doctor out of Pakistan and relocated him to a NATO country or the U.S before or during the bin Laden operation.

After meditating on it for a while, I agree with this.

Unless the CIA knows something about the Doctor's other dealings that the general public will never know.

[Cajuncowboy]

the Company only does that for those that will be of future use. That Doctor was already past his sell by date.

I agree that is probably the thought process but I am sure that our other "helpers" will think twice before acting on our behalf in the future. The sell by date may have expired but the stink is gonna last a long time. Doesn't seem to have been much forethought put into this from the administrations perspective.

[ABQCOWBOY]

Because we're the United States :laugh2:


Sad but true.

[DallasEast]

Caution

Let's refrain from discussing real or hypothetical political influences with this story.
Thanks.

[joseephuss]

The consequences of superceding a country's sovereignty will always be a sticky issue. In this case, I wished the C.I.A. had extracted the good doctor out of Pakistan and relocated him to a NATO country or the U.S before or during the bin Laden operation.

Maybe the doctor wanted to stay in Pakistan. Maybe he thought he could do more good there than in some other country.

[DallasEast]

May the doctor wanted to stay in Pakistan. Maybe he thought he could do more good there than in some other country.
Then he should be honored as a patriot. Unfortunately, his government does not see it that way. Hopefully, his example will inspire more of his countrypeople. It is simply a shame that he must personally suffer for that inspiration though.

[JBond]

The consequences of superceding a country's sovereignty will always be a sticky issue. In this case, I wished the C.I.A. had extracted the good doctor out of Pakistan and relocated him to a NATO country or the U.S before or during the bin Laden operation.


Good points. I also think we should not broadcast every little detail of how we operate in foreign countries. There was no need to mention the Dr. or the how we sourced the DNA. It was clever no doubt, but maybe we should keep some of our methods and secrets, secret.

The water boarding, the tracking of the messenger that resulted from the water boarding and all similar info should not have been released.

[DallasEast]

Good points. I also think we should not broadcast every little detail of how we operate in foreign countries. There was no need to mention the Dr. or the how we sourced the DNA. It was clever no doubt, but maybe we should keep some of our methods and secrets, secret.

The water boarding, the tracking of the messenger that resulted from the water boarding and all similar info should not have been released.
Unfortunately or fortunately, the world of the pre-20th century does not exist any longer. Secrets have a way surfacing with far greater ease than at any other time in world history--sometimes with less than desirable consequences.

[burmafrd]

I agree that is probably the thought process but I am sure that our other "helpers" will think twice before acting on our behalf in the future. The sell by date may have expired but the stink is gonna last a long time. Doesn't seem to have been much forethought put into this from the administrations perspective.

That is the way the company has been for a very long time.

[casmith07]

Maybe the doctor wanted to stay in Pakistan. Maybe he thought he could do more good there than in some other country.

Valid questions, certainly.

A lot of people in foreign countries, and particularly that area of the world, have a very strong sense of jingoism.