Trust deficit has surged after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s three day tour of Pakistan, which was lukewarm at best. Interviews with diplomatic sources in Washington DC and media coverage of her Pakistan visit demonstrate growing frustration of Obama administration which may result in reassessment of their Pakistani interlocutor.
Although American officials praise military operation in South Waziristan publicly but in private conversations their assessment of ‘alignment’ is rather pessimistic. Stories leaked to media consistently allege that al-Qaeda leadership is still enjoying safe heaven in Pakistan.
American TV networks looped Secretary Clinton’s statement over and over which almost accused government of Pakistan to provide protection to al-Qaeda leadership.
“Al Qaeda has had safe haven in Pakistan since 2002. … I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn’t get them if they really wanted to,” Mrs. Clinton told a gathering of Pakistani newspaper editors. This statement reflects the best possible opinion of Pakistan prevalent in Washington DC. Other government sources and media influencers confidently allege that Pakistani establishment is protecting al-Qaeda.
Her statement may have been expression of frustration with an ally that has not delivered adequate results. But Pakistanis are equally disappointed with the United States and for the time in six decade demanding accountability.
In a very condescending ‘tough love diplomacy’ While House also backed the blunt statement of Secretary Clinton questioning Pakistan’s willingness to hunt down al-Qeada terrorist even as it moves against other extremist groups in its tribal areas.
When asked if Secretary Clinton’s remarks were ‘appropriate’, the White House spokesman Robert Gibbs today said: “Obviously the United States has great concern about extremists in Pakistan. And we will continue to — continue to discuss with them what can be done. And those remarks were appropriate.”
Section of American media is commending Secretary Clinton for taking off the gloves and delivering a no-holds-bar message to Pakistan that it must step up its efforts to apprehend Al Qaeda terrorists and demonstrate a real commitment to democracy. Those who support her bluntness argue that this gives Pakistan’s leaders a much-needed dose of reality: their relationship with the United States is not a one-way street.
Pakistan-US relations have not been this tenuous before: Obama admnistration is frustrated with the outcome of Kerry-Lugar bill. “No one had anticipated such negativity,” said an American official who did not want to be identified. “We thought Pakistanis will celebrate the passage of this bill. This is what we were told by representatives of Pakistani government,”
Representatives of Pakistan government from President Zardari to Foreign Minister Qureshi and further down the chain Ambassador Hussain Haqqani had assured Americans that Pakistanis will be jubilant; KLB was suppose to heal all wounds, rectify all wrongs and erase the memories of past from the conscious of the masses.
I remember when President Obama announced that Senate has passed Kerry-Lugar bill at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in September, all attendees of cheered so loud we could hear the thunderous applause outside.
Later same day when Richard Holbrooke told Pakistani journalists at Roosevelt Hotel media center that House will approve it within a week, a Pakistani anchor who was visiting with President Zardari screamed “Insha Allah” so loud it was embarrassing. She acted like a bagger waiting for alms.
But as we all subsequently learned Pakistanis are inherently anti-imperialist and if Pakistani army can find a leader Chavez, everything can change overnight.
Failure of Kerry-Lugar Bill was biggest setback for Obama administration thus far. It was very similar to what happened in Iraq.
In 2003 Americans were expecting roses as they walked victoriously into Baghdad. They thought Iraqis will welcome freedom from the tyrannical rule of Saddam Hussain. Bush administration did not anticipate the scale and speed of hostility so soon after the fall of Saddam’s regime.
During her trip, Secretary Clinton repeatedly said the U.S. wants to partner with Pakistan on more than just the military front, but qualified it by saying the government in Islamabad will have to be America’s partner in tracking down and capturing the terrorists who masterminded the September 11 attacks, among so many others throughout the world.
Clinton defended the bluntness of her remarks in an interview Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America, saying, “Trust is a two-way street. There is trust deficit.”
She is absolutely right. Americans will not easily believe Zaradari, Qureshi and Haqqani’s words any longer.
American analysts are asking President Obama to drop the ‘democracy’ mantra and work directly with Pakistan’s army. They are asking him to provide economic support and help strengthen Pakistan’s civil institutions but at the same time convey a tough and clear message that there are no free lunches.
Pakistanis have options too: they can storm, form, norm and perform. After venting frustration over KLB and drone attacks they normalize and start delivering what America wants.
Or they can find a left leaning leader within Pakistan’s army and bring about peaceful and secular revolution.
Third and easiest option of status-qou: letting Mullahs and extremist take over our lives, is NOT an option.
