By Phil Ammar

Staff Writer

The United States rejected Pakistan's and the Arab world's pleas to stop the bombing of Afghanistan during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Donald Rumsfeld, the U.S. secretary of defense, made this message clear during his brief stop in Pakistan on his five-day tour of the region. Rumsfeld met for several hours with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, where they discussed several issues regarding the U.S. led military campaign in Afghanistan. During this time, Musharraf expressed his desire that the United States suspend its bombing attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Nov. 17.

While Musharraf wants the bombing to cease, he understands that it is challenging to put timetables on military operations. Rumsfeld noted that the U.S. would take regional concerns into mind, but would like to continue as any break in the offensive could give time for al Qaeda and the Taliban to regroup.

``Our task is to certainly be sensitive to the views in the region, but also to see that we aggressively deal with the terrorist networks that exist,'' the defense chief said. ``Beyond that, I would simply say that we do not want to discuss precisely how we are going to handle the period ahead, other than to say that it is important that the terrorists be stopped.''

In his meeting with Rumsfeld, Musharraf also brought up the Afghan humanitarian concern. Prior to this, the United States has vehemently denied Taliban accusations that it intentionally targets civilian areas. Rumsfeld continued on this stratagem and replied that the United States is trying to conduct the campaign without incurring significant casualties.

``Never in history has so much care been taken ... by the United States to reduce civilian casualties to the minimum possible, and I think this statement is extremely valuable in view of the news that we see every day alleging increasing civilian casualties in Afghanistan,'' he said.

When Musharraf announced his support for the campaign against Afghanistan, he was clear that it should be short, sharp, and targeted. However, after four weeks, the BBC correspondent in Islamabad, Jill McGivering, says that patience is wearing thin. This could be a blow to peace in the area during Ramadan when people typically congregate in mosques and are prone to expressions of dissent.

Musharraf already is facing much opposition at home, according to the New York Times. Protesters cry ``Death to Musharaf!'' while burning effigies of Musharraf and Bush. ``Musharraf, traitor to Islam!'' Some militant leaders have called for the army to overthrow him, but the president has been quick to respond, jailing leaders of the dissent. The possibility that Musharraf be deposed disturbs Western politicians. It would leave the fate of Pakistan and the fate of America's war in hands that are less resolute in their support of the United States.

Before Sept. 11, Musharraf would never have been one that the United States could trust. He was condemned for his military coup on Oct. 12, 1999. He was so disparaged by President Clinton that Clinton was even reluctant to be photographed shaking hands with Musharraf. Washington distrusted Musharraf, until Sept. 11, for leading a government that had close ties to the Taliban. It comes as no surprise to many that the United States only supports him now that they need Pakistan as a military ally.

``Men either grow or diminish in crisis, and General Musharraf is one who has grown,'' said one high-ranking American official, according to the New York Times.