Strengthening Pak-US Ties: Purposeful Initiatives
By Salahuddin Haider
Karachi , Pakistan
For the first time, Americans appear to be serious in developing a long-term relationship with Pakistan. This is more than evident now from the appointments made in recent weeks at the US missions in Pakistan. The new American ambassador, Cameron Munter, is a delightful personality; he articulated his government's policies, broad outlines of which were laid out by Hilary Clinton during the course of her first visit to Pakistan last November and in subsequent sessions withShah Mahmood Qureshi and others at the latest strategic
talks at Washington.
These appointments, including those of the Consul General in Karachi William
Martin, Susan Haville, Nell Robinson, Bo Palmer, Ami Shah, Andrea DeArment, and even others in Islamabad and the lady Consul General at Lahore, have one identical principal characteristic. They all have public orientation as their main mindset. The envoy at a reception, held mainly for the media at the Consul
General's residence, made it abundantly plain in his short but impressive speech, that he and his colleagues were conscious of the skepticism about US among the Pakistanis. Hence their main objective during their assignment in Pakistan will be to remove apprehensions. "We are here to find out the concerns of the people of
Pakistan", he stressed this point without reservations, and went on to correct the misinformation about Karachi or the situation here in the last few weeks. " Karachi is not New York. It is Los Angeles". This was a pointed reference to the poor law and order situation in New York until about a decade ago, when criminal gangs, murders and mugging had injected fear among visitors especially to stay away from certain areas, ghettos etc. But Los Angeles is a lovely city, apart from being
the glamour center of Hollywood studios and film stars, and also the first ever city in the world to have the Disneyworld as its principal attractions. It is also a rich and peaceful place – crime-free and endowed with loving environment. In fact the entire California State, along the west coast, and the nearby exciting city of San Francisco, is very proud of its heritage, cleanliness, food, restaurants, eating houses, and the tourist spots. Equating Karachi with Los Angeles (LA as the Americans call it) was a handsome tribute to the city of Karachi by the ambassador. He dispelled the impression that Karachi is a killing field, or a notorious city with a horde of criminals.
As stated earlier, and being re-emphasized here, never before, at least in the last three decades, the Americans had posted in Pakistan diplomats who were trained or possessed the quality of public orientation. Each and every one assigned to Pakistan wants to build America's relationship with the Pakistanis. People-to-people level and not just confined to state to state level. This is a dynamic change in the US government's perceptions and their goals in the region. They have publicly acknowledged the fact that America's decision to dump Pakistan after using it in Afghanistan occupation by the former Soviet
Union forces, was a major mistake. That mistake needs to be avoided, Hilary has said that on more than one occasion, so has Richard Holbrooke, the US specialist on Pakistan and Afghanistan, who is almost a household name in Pakistan.
The fact that the ambassador said in his TV interviews soon after arriving in Pakistan on 26th Oct that he wanted to meet a cross section of people and will be on the move, despite security restrictions. He proved his point when within three days of his arrival and presentation of credentials, landed in Karachi to be with the government and the media, MQM team of ministers and Rabita Committee members. This demonstrated his determination to do the job he had set for himself, and achieve something positive to build America's image in Pakistan, and also look at what this country needs and should be given to help improve its tight position in flood affected areas, and in the social sectors like
health, education etc.
It was hearTening to know that 8 of the 18 f-16 aircraft, promised to Pakistan have already arrived in the country and the remaining will be added within soonest possible period to the PAF fleet of fighting squadrons. Those with diplomatic status in Karachi consulate of the US, have constantly been on the move to the interior of Sindh, Sukkur and other towns, and also to Balochistan to find out what could be done to help Pakistanis. At the same time, and very rightly so, the
Americans will make sure that the money they give are used efficiently and remains free, if not totally immune, from corruption. The Kerry-Lugar Bill, has a riding clause about it-- to monitor the expenses of the 1.5 billion US dollars given every year to Pakistan for economic development.
At the latest strategic dialogue in Washington, Pakistan Army was sanctioned 2 billion US dollars to help overcome the difficulties it faced and need to surmount in the wake of anti-terrorist operations in Malakand, and Swat etc. The army has been appreciated by the world for its handling of the operation, though it suffered tremendously in men and material, but the troops and their officers remained committed to the cause. The US government acknowledges that, and, if i am correct that US troops worked alongside Pakistani army in the floods helping,
rescuing people from the affected areas, and then providing them relied, and shelter etc. This was a wonderful example of US-Pakistan meaningful relationship. Hope is beginning to build up that this relationship, purposeless sometime, and not very enduring, facing ups and downs with time, will be on firmer ground from now on. Some sound signs of that has come already and it is apparent from Hilary's speech at the Washington talks in the middle of this month, that the US means business. Hilary is a lady with tremendous vision, and what is good about her is her frankness. She speaks without mincing words, and with a rhythm, which shows that her mind is clear about her goals.
There is one more word is needed to be mentioned her, which is appreciation for Pakistan delegation conduct and attitude at these strategic talks. For the first time, Pakistan team looked like well equipped with its case and arguments for requiring whatever is to be and should be, or rather must be done by the United States. It had done its home work, thanks mainly, I think, to President, the prime
minister and the army chief, General Kayani occupied a vantage point during these talks, and was ready mentally to present his case to defense department and army chiefs in host country. Shah Mahmood Qureshi too appeared much better than ever before in his conduct of the foreign policy presentations. He spoke brightly during the talks and after these had ended. That gives confidence to the people that their government is willing and keeps itself ready to present the
country's case before the world. If such an attitude, as displayed in Washington, could have been applied earlier, Pakistan could have secured many more benefits for itself, and has probably forced major policy making countries of the world of its case on different issues. But any way, it is never too late.
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