Cross-border raids in Pak: Palin says US must stop terrorists

Washington, Sep 12 (PTI) - Notwithstanding Pakistan's strong
reaction to U.S.-led coalition forces' raids against militants
on its soil, Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin
has said Washington had the right of anticipatory self defence
and it must leave no option off the table.

"I believe that America has to exercise all options in
order to stop the terrorists who are hell-bent on destroying
America, and our allies. We have got to have all options out
there on the table," she said in an interview to ABC News when
asked if Washington had the right to make cross-border attacks
into Pakistan from Afghanistan.

The Alaska Governor's comments on foreign policy
pertaining to Pakistan come at a time when Islamabad has
expressed outrage at the U.S.-led coalition forces attacks
inside the country following reports that President George W.
Bush may have personally signed off on this new policy.

" ... if there is legitimate and enough intelligent and
legitimate evidence that tells us that a strike is imminent
against American people, we have every right to defend our
country," Palin said.

"As for our right to invade, we're going to work with
these countries, building new relationships, working with
existing allies, but forging new also, in order to get to a
point in this world, where war is not going to be a first
option. In fact, war has got to be and military strike a last
option," she said.

Palin said that "in order to stop Islamic extremists,
those terrorists who would seek to destroy America, and our
allies, we must do whatever it takes, and we must not blink.
In making those tough decisions of where we go, and even who
we target." PTI SK
AKV