Fanatics can never take over Pak: Musharraf

The Pakistani leader, in an interview to German daily 8216;Der Spiegel8217;, that said while he does not deny that al-Qaeda is carrying out terrorism in the tribal areas, 8220;one thing is for sure; the fanatics can never take over Pakistan.8221; Musharraf, who described US President George W Bush as a 8220;friend8221; he will 8220;miss very much8221; after his tenure ends, said he would never allow US forces to operate on Pakistan8217;s soil.

Asked about Democratic Presidential front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama vowing to take a tougher stance with regard to Pakistan, he said 8220;all these politicians you have mentioned do not have access to intelligence information that could provide them with an accurate view of the situation.

8220;When these people get access to that kind of intelligence, I am sure they will not take a different approach than their predecessor. Why would they want to do something to destabilise us, a nuclear power?8221; He sought a change of strategy in Afghanistan, favouring 8220;political overtures8221; to win over the majority Pashtuns.

8220;When I came on the scene in 1999, I told everyone, including President Bill Clinton8230;that the best strategy against the Taliban is to recognise them and try to change them from within. Nobody agreed.

8220;Then came the problems with Osama bin Laden. Everybody asked me to help the West to get him arrested or deported, but by then it was too late. I sent four or five missions to Mullah Omar from here, without any result,8221; he said.