Holbrooke protected by Paki sec

US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

From one of our sources inside the beltway.

"The word is out on Holbrooke's planned visit to Mingora, Swat in about 12 hours. Don't know what kind of security they have in mind but there are a lot of Taliban still there and they know he's coming. Swat is maybe 80% secure, definitely Indian Country.

No Pak reporters are willing to go, the PakMil want pics of him at the IDP camps to show PakMil dominance in the area, it ain't so. I wish him luck.

I think Holbrooke has a lot more confidence in Pak security than I would have."

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Update: CHANGE OF MIND:

Bad weather forces Holbrooke to defer visit to Mingora

ISLAMABAD: US special envoy Richard Holbrooke’s visit to Mingora was postponed on Sunday because of bad weather. Holbrooke, who arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, was scheduled to visit Mingora for a briefing by the military and local officials, XINHUA reported. Following his four-day visit to Pakistan, Holbrooke would also visit Afghanistan ahead of the presidential election there. In Pakistan, Holbrooke would call on President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and hold talks with Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi. AUG 17.09

Gerald