‘Pakistan, US at odds over Afghan solution’
US Marines from the First Battalion Eighth Marines Alpha Company patrol through the town of Kunjak in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province. - Photo by Reuters
NEW YORK: As the Afghan imbroglio heads towards another so-called endgame or impasse, US based think-tanks and experts here are saying that Pakistan and the United States are at odds over the final resolution of the crisis.
They even suggest Pakistan could seek to completely oust Washington’s influence in any resolution, which given the present situation could be a tough sell.
The Americans are seeking a strong and centralised Afghan government commanding a large army that can control its territory. Pakistan is pressing for a loosely governed neighbour where it can influence events through Taliban proxies, the ‘New York Times’ reported citing top US and Pakistani officials.
The Pakistanis are nervous of the US aim for a strong Afghanistan and are pressing for a small Afghan Army and want to play a crucial role after the American exit from the country.
The Times said Islamabad had sought to improve its leverage in Afghanistan by threatening to cut down CIA operations within its territory, cracking down on Taliban leaders to coerce their cooperation and befriend President Hamid Karzai.
The paper said the visit of Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, country’s powerful army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and head of the spy agency ISI, was the latest iteration of this new Pak-Afghan relationship.
“This was the most public of a number of visits to Afghanistan by Kayani in the past year and American diplomats both in Kabul and Islamabad declined to comment on the visit and appear to know little about the intention of the two nations to unveil a joint commission with considerable fanfare as a vehicle to end the war,” the NYT said.
“There’s something special about a relationship that only gets worse, but never actually falls apart”, the Foreign Policy magazine observed on Monday. It goes on to note: “Pakistan has been selling itself to the United States as a national security bulwark since the earliest days of the Cold War, and Washington has been an eager and often uncritical buyer, subcontracting to Pakistani military and intelligence operatives much of the effort to arm and train the mujahideen who fought the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s.” Only in the 1990s, with the Soviet menace gone, did Washington allow the bonds to fray altogether, over Pakistan’s nuclear programme.”
Americans have been coaxing the Afghan and Pakistan leadership to talk to each other, but not at the cost of keeping the US out of the loop or of concocting solutions that are against its interest, US officials said.
“The latest visit by Pakistani leadership trio is an attempt to sidestep the US in order to safeguard Pakistan’s interest in
Afghanistan,” the NYT said.
Pentagon officials said the differences evolved around which Taliban factions should be included in any settlement, the role of India — an ally of the US but the enemy of Pakistan, and the size of the new Afghan army, which the Americans want big and Pakistani want small.
The officials told the Times that while the overall commander in Afghanistan General David Petraeus was determined to batter the Taliban as much as possible, it was a policy the Pakistani disagreed with.
But the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen has more tolerance for the Pakistan point of view.
The impression of the US leaving Pakistan out in the cold is particularly disconcerting to General Kayani because he was granted a three-year extension of his term last July, partly on the ground that he would win a seat for Pakistan at the Afghan negotiating table.
The Pakistan and US differences in particular are more pronounced as Washington wants to keep up the pressure on the network led by Sirajjudin Haqqani, a long-time asset of Pakistan.
The recent demand by Pakistan for the US to reduce the number of CIA agents and curb its drones programme is the “lowest point in memory” that the relations between the two countries have plunged.
“There was never a level of trust,” said a former American military official who served in a senior position in Pakistan. “I’m convinced now they don’t want our help.”
Dear Friends,
There was never a level of trust,” said a former American military official who served in a senior position in Pakistan. “I’m convinced now they don’t want our help.”
This government and army doing a great job for pakistan. It is obvious from the statement. Let me explain this way: Pakistan is going to be fifth nuclear aresenal holder in few monts time officially. And USA is trying to control pakistan by one way or other way. Pakistan had two problems in the past 1) Nuclear 2) Economy. This country has done well in terms of Nunclear. Now it is done and Pakistan will look toward its economy.
Since Interests diverge, the aim should be to reduce the divergence & build on convergence interests. For this one need to look for self interests, not to control/dominate others- that's the biggest problem. Understand Pakistan has fear of india getting influence in Afganistan. But that's the way it is. Head to Head competetion is not in Pakistan's interest. instead, show improvements in Human development & draw india into competetion in this resepct.
the problem is not tha US, the problem is pakistan's corrupt regime. which should deserve nothing.
Pakistan should have learned from the very beginning
how to watch their interest and look for their security. Pakistan's security and interest is not safeguarded because of their wisdom but on the verge of USA wisdom. Why Pakistan has to fight and sacrifice for the security of Afghanstan. Create smooth relationship with neighbors and get rid of USA aid.
We need understand that at international diplomatic front – the bilateral ties are towed around mutual interests / benfits. The win win relations can never be based at a bogggy ground of mistrust / choas in leadership. US ca not be our friend if for once do not decide to be friend of ourselves.
Usuall argument offered by people is as to how commoner could contribute to such adream change. The answer to it is the choosing right person and voting for correct party / politicians during elections – keeping aside family / area bondages – usually known as BRADARI SYSTEM.
It is politicians who world wide have braught good will to their Nations. Army must stop dictating to government at National Policy- but it could only happen if competent peple – whome we are not short of – form part of our legisilature.
Media has played a great role in raising the awareness amongst masses by generating media debate that turned into mass debate.
The question is who really need’s whom. At this point of time Pakistan’s has very little space to maneuver and has nothing to bring to the table.
The economy is in shambles
Poor leadership
The countries international image has taken a beating.
And to suggest that Saudi Arabia or China bailing you out is a pipe dream.
I some times felt that President Musharaff played his cards better !!!
Foreign relationship, specially military relationship are based on strategic/tactical need. For instance, US and Japan have a strategic diplomatic/military relationship. Japan's pacifist policy combined with its Chinese threat makes perfect sense a US-Japan relationship. In this relationship both partners benefit. Cuba-USSR relationship had similar synergy. US-Pakistan relationship during coldwar was a tactical need, in which both parties benefitted. In a tactical relationship both parties "use" each other for short-term benefit. US used Pakistan against USSR. Pakistan used US to advance its defense capabilities against India. Once US's need got fulfilled the relationship stopped. I dont understand why some people view this through romanticism and raise the bogey of betrayal. This is not limited to Pakistani's alone. The aftermath of "Hindi-Chini bhai bhai" resulted in a similar accusation of betrayal. Let us rationally accept that international relationships are always based on need, and in US-Pakistan case, US has used Pakistan as much has Pakistan used US.
Presently the paramount issue confronting Pakistan is its own internal affairs. Pakistan should concentrate attention on rectifying its own instituions and society which have been plagued with corruption, discrimination, social injustice and lawlessness.We can not abadon America. The world is related to America, and without America, the world would remain empty. We must learn from their achievement, and hall marks in science and technology if we are interested in the future of our generation.
No doubts,why US destabiling Pakistan just they needs our nukes powers so that after that they can use us as they wants.US has now only a single choice lefted to modernize Pakistan.they must invest on Pakistan and to leave Pakistan to grow on every aspect.all other efforts from them is just a vein and waste of time for them.
Be proud on our securities agencies
They are the best even have limited resources
Pakistan today needs good education policy. Now almost one whole generation of Pakistan has been educated with preaching of non-tolerance and religious extremism (just to drove out Russians from Afghanistan). Growth of large numbers of Madrasa is a pointer to this. In the process we have lost our focus from development to religious extremism. What we are doing? we are producing Mullahs, terrorists and fanatics. We should stop all this nonsense. Let us focus our energies on nation building. We have big pool of talent, let us make use of it. Instead of begging for money, let us generate it. We should orient our macro level policies in such a way that it will benefit common man. Today 50% population of Pakistan comprises of youth. Just build the institutions which will churn out talented citizens.
Don't believe what American "analysts" or "experts" are saying about Afghanistan and Pakistan. The have a history of spreading disinformation and misinformation. Afghanistan was never before ruled by a "strong" centralized government and will never be. If Americans tried to create a strong centralized government with a big Army, then its fate will be similar to what happened to 150,000 strong Army in Afghanistan.
I think Pakistan should be given important role after America leave Afghanistan.Pakistan has helped America in getting Soviet out of Afghanistan.America after achiving its objective,America abondoned Pakistan.They have seen the consequences of that action.They admitted it several times but not accepted this whole heartedly.This is the reason why Pakistanis can not trust America.Pakistan put itself in harmes way internaly by supporting America in this war.Pakistan sacrified lot in material and lives of it people for this war even they destablised whole Pakistan.So it is time for Americans to consider the intrest of Pakistan.I think they realise this but do not have a courage to stand against India.
Pakistan should not dream of a "loosely controlled" Afghanistan as a proxy for Taliban control. Taliban is a monster which will one-day threaten Pakistan itself (if not already). Hence, We should support American program and aim at a strong Afghanistan. However, the problem is that a Afghanis are not so much in favour of Pakistan influence generally. Let us all wake up and smell the coffee.
Totally agree with you. very well said.
What interest Americans have in Afghanistan except for their contracts for natural resources. Pakistan has got genuine interest being the neighbour. So Pakistan's interest should be safeguarded at all cost.
Say Goodbye to US. Leave us alone. We don't need your Aid & friendship.
USA has never been Pakistan's friend, using the country for its own interests only. Like India, Pakistan should have made solid relationship with the Russians, a regional ally, same as the next Super Power China is, a steadfast ally of Pakistan.
People who always use to say that US PAK relationships and friendship is necessary for Pakistan, must see the reality with open eyes now. Americans are selfish who always seeks their interest at any cost. We were never been their ally nor would be. It is good that Pakistan has, lastly, learned this reality in 63 years.
Common Pakistani,
Unfortunately the Common Pakistani neither has no Say in these policy decission nor get any benifits from US Aid.
It is time when we should say good by USA
When it comes to foreign policy of Pakistan, history has proved that the decision taken in the 1950s – to align itself with USA instead of USSR – was a correct one. After 1989, with the collapse of USSR, the fine tuning which has been going on between Pakistan and USA is being done keeping the strengths and weaknesses of Pakistan, all the time in the best national interest of Pakistan. Breaking relations with USA, or for that matter any country, is childish. As for Afghanistan, Pakistan needs to have a friendly neighbour. Whatever is being done is to ensure that end. Pakistani policy makers have that capability and foresight. USA policy makers are quite aware of this.
MAV
Pakistan should keep good ties with the US. They can learn a lot in every walks of life. USA is always a good friend and also can help Pakistan in a way that no other nation can. Cool heads should prevail.
Pakistan should have relations to US like any other country of the world . in fact American politicians are tested many times before. they are not trust worthy. just look at the instance of RAYMOND . CIA is not friendly to Pakistan in any aspect.
Pakistan should say by to American influence and try to stand on its own feet.
usa is incapable of being a good friend to any one, period. all the zionists running the world are looking out for their self interest.
pakistan need to rely on its own potential and resources, both of which are plenty if it cares to look inwards.
pakistan would be better without us 'aid'or friendship. it needs sincere leadership!!