Pakistan pushed ahead Sunday with its surprise demolition of the
compound where U.S. commandos killed Osama bin Laden last year, likely
an attempt to erase the symbol of the colossal security failure that
humiliated the nation and severely damaged ties with Washington.
Islamabad
was outraged by the covert American raid in the northwestern town of
Abbottabad because it was not told about it beforehand — a decision the
U.S. explained by concerns that someone in the Pakistani government
might tip off the al-Qaida chief.
The operation left Pakistan's
powerful army in the awkward position of explaining how it was unable to
stop U.S. troops from attacking a compound deep inside Pakistan and
located next to the country's military academy. Citizens also demanded
to know how bin Laden was able to live in Abbottabad for six years
without the government's knowledge, a question that remains unanswered.
The
raid drove the crucial anti-terror alliance between the U.S. and
Pakistan close to the breaking point, and in many ways it has never
recovered. The relationship is critical to U.S. efforts to wind down the
decade-long war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Heavy machines began
tearing down bin Laden's three-story compound Saturday night under heavy
security without the government providing advance notice. By Sunday
evening, workers had destroyed around three-quarters of the large
concrete compound and its tall boundary walls. They were clearing debris
in large trucks so they could finish the job, according to an
Associated Press reporter who managed to get close to the site.
Large
numbers of police still surrounded the compound Sunday to keep
spectators and journalists away, but the army soldiers present the
previous night had departed.
Local residents expressed mixed
feelings about the demolition, with some applauding the move and others
saying the government should have put the building to public use.
Shabbir
Ahmed, a 22-year-old college student in Abbottabad, said the presence
of the compound sparked bad memories and made the lives of local
residents more difficult.
"We were searched and questioned every
time we wanted to reach our homes," Ahmed told The Associated Press.
"When this symbol of evil is finally gone, people in the area will be
able to rest."
But Mohammad Sarwar, a retired 60-year-old businessman, said razing the compound didn't make sense and was a waste of money.
"I
don't know what benefit the government will get by its demolition
instead of using it for some official or public purpose, like
establishing a school, library or laboratory," said Sarwar.
The
former trader said he suspected the government's decision was driven by
U.S. pressure — a common sentiment in a country where anti-American
attitudes are rampant and conspiracy theories flourish.
Some
Abbottabad residents said in the wake of the raid that the compound
should be turned into a tourist attraction to help the town earn money.
There was always the danger, however, that it could also draw al-Qaida
supporters.
American officials said they buried bin Laden's body
at sea to avoid giving his followers a burial place that could become a
makeshift shrine.
Pakistani officials have declined to say why they decided to raze the compound.
Many
U.S. officials expressed disbelief that bin Laden could have lived in
Abbottabad for years with his wives and children without the Pakistani
government knowing. But the U.S. has not found any evidence that senior
Pakistani officials knew of the al-Qaida chief's whereabouts.
The
U.S. Navy SEALs who attacked bin Laden's compound on May 2 flew in under
the radar by helicopter from neighboring Afghanistan. The raid, which
lasted around 40 minutes, was a serious blow to the already troubled
U.S.-Pakistan relationship.
Pakistan responded by kicking out more
than 100 U.S. troops training Pakistanis in counterterrorism operations
and reduced the level of intelligence cooperation.
Some members
of Congress called on the U.S. to cut of the billions of dollars of
military and civilian aid to Pakistan unless Islamabad explained bin
Laden's presence in Abbottabad and boosted cooperation on the Afghan
war. The aid has continued, although at a somewhat lower level. AP
