So, Pakistan doesn’t like the tone of questions by U.S. officials concerning how Osama bin Laden could have lived close to a Pakistani military base and the Pakistani government not know he was there.

Pakistan may not like such questions and the tone of such questions, but they are legitimate questions.

In fact, it’s more than likely a good bet that some elements of the Pakistani military and/or the Pakistani intelligence service knew where bin Laden was located and aiding his presence in Pakistan. Is there a “smoking gun” indicating such a connection? No, at least not one that’s been uncovered so far.

But Washington isn’t the only questioner in this regard. Some of Pakistan’s own people question whether their government gave safe haven, or turned a blind eye, to bin Laden.

The U.S.-Pakistani relationship has been anything but rock solid. In our opinion, Pakistan wants our money č and little, if anything, else. There are some U.S. lawmakers who want that relationship examined more closely.

That must be done.

“How does he hide in plain sight like this, in a military town so close to Islamabad?” asked Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Florida, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, when interviewed by CNN

Rooney told CNN that Pakistan has helped the United States in its battle against al-Qaida and its Taliban allies in neighboring Afghanistan.

“We use them for resources, logistics and assets,” he said. But he added, “We have to be very careful. If we do find out they were harboring bin Laden, that will be a bad deal for Pakistan.”

That’s as it should be.

President Barack Obama said bin Laden had “some sort of support network” in place in Pakistan to enable him to live for years in a secure compound. Obama stopped short of accusing the Pakistani government of harboring bin Laden.

Pakistan has been helpful in helping the United States in its war on terror. Has that help been predicated on truly being an ally in the war on terrorism or providing just enough help to secure U.S. dollars and other aid?

The U.S. government, if not other governments around the world, should fully investigate to learn the fact, if any, regarding Pakistan possibly harboring bin Laden. The Pakistani government must investigate to determine if any of its elements were involved in supporting and/or harboring a terrorist who was responsible for thousands of deaths around the world.

If there is any proof that Pakistan gave aid and comfort to the man who declared war against the United States, then Pakistan may suffer appropriate consequences.

It’s time to determine, once and for all, if Pakistan is friend or foe – and for the United States to act accordingly.