The US-led invasion of Iraq was a mistake that has made the world a more dangerous place, but a swift withdrawal would make matters worse, Pakistan's president said this weekend. "I think it's less safe," Musharraf told Wolf Blitzer. Asked whether he considered the invasion a mistake, the Pakistani leader said: "With hindsight, yes. We have landed ourselves in more trouble, yes." "I am my own man, thank you very much." This provides the requisite sound bite for propagation by Al Jazeera and consumption by the Pakistani public. After the interview, a Pakistani government spokesman called CNN to say that Musharraf did not intend to be categorical in his assertion that Bush had erred in invading Iraq. Of course, this backpedaling "detail" does not show up in the Al Jazeera version of the story. This whole manuever seems like an attempt to demonstrate political savvy. Did it work? Either way, Wolfie definitely got played. |