US, Pakistan Had Deal To Allow Unilateral Attack On Bin Laden

Lasted for years, and the deal was even renewed a few years ago. Included in the deal was the provision that Pakistan would protest and complain about the violation of its sovereignty, but not really do anything.

Under its terms, Pakistan would allow US forces to conduct a unilateral raid inside Pakistan in search of Bin Laden, his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the al-Qaida No3. Afterwards, both sides agreed, Pakistan would vociferously protest the incursion.

“There was an agreement between Bush and Musharraf that if we knew where Osama was, we were going to come and get him,” said a former senior US official with knowledge of counterterrorism operations. “The Pakistanis would put up a hue and cry, but they wouldn’t stop us.”