With U.S.-Pakistan relations in the deep freeze, former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and American officials called Thursday for a thaw.
"Blame games, rigidity, arrogance, insensitivity to each other's national interests is certainly very counter-productive," Musharraf said in Washington. "It definitely saddens me to see the deteriorating Pakistan-United States relations," he said in a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center.
Twelve weeks have passed since American commandos killed Osama bin Laden inside Pakistan, an event that dramatically widened the rift between the two countries.
Musharraf denied he knew during his time as president or later that bin Laden was hiding out in Pakistan. "Whether one believes it or not, let me say with confidence, I did not know," he declared.
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As congressional budget cutters sharpen their axes and size up the Pentagon, the Army released a report Thursday admitting major problems with the way it dreams up, orders and pays for major weapons systems.
The Army said it deserves credit for what it has achieved in a variety of programs, such as precision weapons, unmanned systems and mine-resistant vehicles. But its "white paper" on modernization said that too often in the past, technology, schedules and cost estimates have missed the targets.
Compiled by Tim Lister
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As demonstrations in Syria against President Bashar al Assad continue, protests against the regime also are taking place in the United States, organized by Syrian-American and Syrian activists.
Some demonstrators claim that personnel from the Syrian embassy in Washington have been photographing them and using the photos to intimidate them, as well as harass their families in Syria.
The State Department also is taking those allegations seriously and confirms that it has seen reports that Syrian embassy officials are carrying out photo and video surveillance of protesters in the United States. The department says it is investigating reports that the Syrian government sought retribution against the demonstrators' families in Syria.
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