No I am more saying that Whitmore wanted Desmond to go to the island.. he knows about the island.. Good place to send him if he doesn't want him around his daughter.. He knows what need to happen for him to make it to the island... Nothing after when he sends Des to the island is 2001 maybe he can't travel into the future only the past or current time.. In which case Whitmore never would have known he made it off the island at some point..

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Please don't give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for
you. Always. I love you, Pen

DESMOND: I love you, Penny. I've always loved you. I'm so sorry. I love you!
PENNY: I love you too.
DESMOND: I don't know where I am, but--
PENNY: I'll find you, Des--
DESMOND: --I promise--
PENNY: --no matter what--
DESMOND: --I'll come back to you--
PENNY: --I won't give up--
BOTH: I promise. I love you.