The United States on Monday called for a policy of ‘renewal’ with Pakistan, in the aftermath of ‘acute problems,’ saying that now it was time to look into “opportunities in the future, not problems of the past”.
US Ambassador Cameron Munter, who just returned after a two-week visit to the US, delivered his first major policy speech after January 27, when CIA contractor Raymond Davis shot dead two Pakistanis, plummeting civil and military relations with the US to an all time low.
Munter spoke at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), after introductory remarks by ISSI DG, Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.Munter’s remarks appearing as a ‘band-aid’, come immediately after a scathing State Department annual survey on human rights and a White House report to the Congress, criticising Pakistan’s will to fight the militants.
“The Pak-US relations are not in the intensive care unit. They are very healthy, and I am more optimistic about our relations today than when I came to Pakistan,” Munter responded to a question. He rejected the notion that the US was dictating with money. “We do things in partnership. We have been too slow. There is a lot of red tape,” he said.
After a rather bland speech, which revealed nothing new, and predictable questions, Munter was game for criticism and appreciated the ‘blunt’ and ‘frank’ questions thrown at him from the audience. He spoke at a time when DG ISI Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha was on his way to Washington, and Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir prepared to follow later this month. Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh will be another visitor to Washington this month.
“We’ve had some difficult days in the recent past. But I’m here today to speak of opportunities in the future, not of problems of the past. Those problems have been acute in recent months, symbolised by the case of Raymond Davis. We must not let this very regrettable incident stop us as we work together. Instead, let us look for renewal,” Munter remarked.
When reminded about some very revealing remarks made by Richard Armitage while in New Delhi, Munter replied, “I do not agree with Richard Armitage’s assessment that relations with Pakistan are based on our needs while India is a natural ally. We are natural friends and are doing our best and not afraid to choose.”
The US ambassador spoke on the presence his country’s presence inside Afghanistan, saying that 2014 was not the year of the US withdrawal, rather the state of commitment may change, and the focus would be more on the civil side rather than military.
“We will not leave Afghanistan. Pakistan must be stable for the region’s success,” he added while promising to take a message from a participant about the US drones to Washington. “It is on the agenda,” he reassured the audience.
Munter spoke on a day when President Asif Ali Zardari, in an interview to Guardian, pointed out that the war in Afghanistan is destabilising Pakistan and seriously undermining efforts to restore its democratic institutions while expressing concern about the slow pace of efforts to end the Afghan conflict and said some US politicians showed limited understanding of the impact of American policies.
“The US appreciates the Pakistan military, specially its operation in the northeast and in Mohmand Agency. These are tough battles. Admiral Mike Mullen, General David Petaerus and General James Mattis are all very, very impressed by these significant efforts. We admire the military,” he pointed out when asked about the tough line coming from Washington that Pakistan was not doing enough.
He agreed that the term “war on terror” should not be used as “coverall”. “We need to be more careful. A number of issues are used under this. A more fruitful way would be to call them intolerant, paid by foreign agents”, he advised.
The ambassador was unaware that no student in the last 10 years from the American Studies Department at the QAU has ever got a visa for the US. He blamed it on red tape and lack of rapport with Pakistanis because of security concerns.
When asked about the lack of justice to Attaur Rehman, who was crushed to death by a US Consulate vehicle with the driver escaping, Munter replied, “Our regret about the Lahore incident is sincere. We will do our best to redress this. We share the concern.” This after nearly three months of Rehman’s death.
Munter appeared fascinated by Pakistan’s media saying, “I have never encountered a media like that of Pakistan. I spend several hours reading. There are too many ideas to keep track of. The media is divided into fashion and deep thoughts. Some follow the question of the day, others follow issues which are exciting rather than deep.”
No comments:
Post a Comment