President Zardari´s Wasteful Attempt
Madhavi Bhasin
January 29, 2009
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari has written a column "Partnering with Pakistan" in Washington Post on January 28, 2008. He has used the opportunity to send a clear and strong message to the U.S. which requires decoding. Here are a few signals that can be discerned:
1. "The situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India is indeed critical".
Implication: The U.S. policy should club India with Pakistan and Afghanistan in addressing the issue of terrorism in the region. It is an attempt to expand the agenda on the table to dilute the criticism currently directed at Pakistan.
2. "Unlike in the 1980s we are surrogates for no one".
Implication: Pakistan is sovereign state not aligned to the U.S.
3. "With all due respects we need no lectures on our commitment."
Implication: Pakistan will deal with the issue of terrorism on its own terms.
4. "Old Problems have been left to foster."
Implication: Envoy Richard Holbrooke´s mandate will have to be expanded to include Kashmir.
5. "Assistance to Pakistan is not Charity."
Implication: The decision to link non-military aid to Pakistan´s performance in the counter-terrorism campaign is erroneous.
6. "Give us the tools and we will get the job done."
Implication: Rather than conducting the drone attacks equip Pakistan´s military to fight combat terrorism.
7. "Obama Administration should get the Congress to pass the "Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act."
Implication: The U.S. should formalize the future course of bilateral relations rather than covert attempts to deal with the issue of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.
8. "Over the past several months, remarkable progress has been made in our battle against the Taliban and Al qaeda."
Implication: Mention of "our battle" emphasizes that in countering terrorism, Pakistan is not fighting on behalf of the U.S.
9. "We applaud the President´s desire to engage our nation and India to defuse the tensions between us."
Implication: Future tensions between India and Pakistan will witness conciliatory efforts by the U.S.
10. "Designation of regional opportunity zones to build a viable economy in Northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Implication: Difficult to ascertain. Because President Zardari refers to ´reconstruction opportunity zones´ suggested in the Hollen – Cantwell Legislation as ´regional opportunity zones´. Moreover he overlooks the fact that designation of such zones is qualified. President Zardari is demanding something which he has not fully comprehended.
The column has three sets of target audience – the Obama Administration, policy makers in India and people of Pakistan. President Zardari has very skillfully delivered his message to all three. The more important question remains unanswered: "Is anyone paying attention to what President Zardari has to say?
P.S. For President Zardari: Richard Holbrooke is not the Special Envoy to South-West Asia! Fact check required.
1. "The situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India is indeed critical".
Implication: The U.S. policy should club India with Pakistan and Afghanistan in addressing the issue of terrorism in the region. It is an attempt to expand the agenda on the table to dilute the criticism currently directed at Pakistan.
2. "Unlike in the 1980s we are surrogates for no one".
Implication: Pakistan is sovereign state not aligned to the U.S.
3. "With all due respects we need no lectures on our commitment."
Implication: Pakistan will deal with the issue of terrorism on its own terms.
4. "Old Problems have been left to foster."
Implication: Envoy Richard Holbrooke´s mandate will have to be expanded to include Kashmir.
5. "Assistance to Pakistan is not Charity."
Implication: The decision to link non-military aid to Pakistan´s performance in the counter-terrorism campaign is erroneous.
6. "Give us the tools and we will get the job done."
Implication: Rather than conducting the drone attacks equip Pakistan´s military to fight combat terrorism.
7. "Obama Administration should get the Congress to pass the "Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act."
Implication: The U.S. should formalize the future course of bilateral relations rather than covert attempts to deal with the issue of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan.
8. "Over the past several months, remarkable progress has been made in our battle against the Taliban and Al qaeda."
Implication: Mention of "our battle" emphasizes that in countering terrorism, Pakistan is not fighting on behalf of the U.S.
9. "We applaud the President´s desire to engage our nation and India to defuse the tensions between us."
Implication: Future tensions between India and Pakistan will witness conciliatory efforts by the U.S.
10. "Designation of regional opportunity zones to build a viable economy in Northwest Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Implication: Difficult to ascertain. Because President Zardari refers to ´reconstruction opportunity zones´ suggested in the Hollen – Cantwell Legislation as ´regional opportunity zones´. Moreover he overlooks the fact that designation of such zones is qualified. President Zardari is demanding something which he has not fully comprehended.
The column has three sets of target audience – the Obama Administration, policy makers in India and people of Pakistan. President Zardari has very skillfully delivered his message to all three. The more important question remains unanswered: "Is anyone paying attention to what President Zardari has to say?
P.S. For President Zardari: Richard Holbrooke is not the Special Envoy to South-West Asia! Fact check required.
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