Gates says Pakistan ‘immensely helpful-US aid ‘very worthwhile’

[fatman17]

Gates says Pakistan ‘immensely helpful-US aid ‘very worthwhile’

WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (APP): Secretary Defense Robert Gates, praising Pakistan as an “immensely helpful and steadfast” partner in the fight against terror, has stated the United States is working with the South Asian ally to address terrorism threat along its border with Afghanistan as he emphasized long-term international commitment to the region.

Testifying before the influential House Armed Services Committee on the subject of “Stability and Security in Afghanistan” Gates and Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen also defended the US assistance for Pakistan since 9/11.

Secretary Gates, who visited Afghanistan recently, expressed optimism about stability efforts in that country while citing progress achieved in some areas over the years but tampered it by caution. He underlined the need for NATO allies to meet their commitments in Afghanistan, where the Taliban insurgents have recently stepped up attacks.

“The government in Pakistan has been one of our most steadfast allies in the war on terror since September 11 and has been immensely helpful to us,” Gates replied when Congressman John McHugh asked about his assessment on stabilizing the border region with reference to eliminating the Taliban hideouts.

However, he observed that the border situation “complicates our efforts” and that extremists activities along the border regions are a matter of concern.

He also indicated that the international forces could be in Afghanistan for years to ensure that the country, beset by strife over decades, makes progress towards stability.

Gates, who was deputy director of CIA and then deputy national security advisor during the period when the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan, and the United States also turned its back, said he feels a “certain sense of personal responsibility” with respect to Afghanistan and the region.

“One of the lessons that I think we have is that if we abandon these countries, once we are in there and engaged, there is a very real possibility that we will pay a higher price in the end.”

The defense secretary said the US and Pakistan are working together on how Pakistan can further enhance its efforts unilaterally and how both can cooperate to improve Pakistan’s capabilities in terms of being more effective in curbing the terrorism threat.

Seasoned Democratic Representative Ike Skelton was in the chair as congressmen queried the top Pentagon officials about efficacy of coalition’s efforts toward rooting out problems inside Afghanistan, particularly poppy growth, fighting the Taliban influence, governance issues, national building and the need to ensure greater NATO commitment in terms of member countries freeing their forces from caveats as well as meeting supplies requirements.

The members of the committee were keen to know about progress in collective efforts aimed at eliminating the Taliban and al-Qaeda elements and their “sanctuaries” in the border region.

Questioned about the utility of American aid for Pakistan by Representative Patrick Murphy (D-PA), Secretary Gates said the US assistance over the years has been a worthwhile investment in counterterrorism perspective.

“Based on everything I’ve heard and everything I’ve seen, it’s been a very worthwhile investment.”

Admiral Mullen also defended US aid for Pakistan over the past six years since 9/11, expressing his satisfaction from the military standpoint in strengthening security capabilities of the “strategic partner that has been at our side from the beginning.
Since 9/11, and I think that’s important.” “I personally think, from a military standpoint, that that’s been a good investment.”

Responding to a question by Democratic congressman Mark Udall, Admiral Mullen said the situation with reference to infiltration in the eastern part over the last several months has become “relatively calm” on the border.

“In the long run—we need to continue to work with the Pakistani government to assist them in (meeting) this challenge. “

In answer to a question, Admiral Mullen said the US and Pakistani militaries have had close contacts for a number of years and these will continue in future. In this respect, he said, the new army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani is regarded highly by many people in the military who know him.


“We have had significant military-to-military engagement with the Pakistani military for a number of years. It has continued even through this most recent crisis. And I’m confident that it will continue in the future.”

Both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen acknowledged challenges in the “very very tough (border) area” that has historically remained ungoverned. Gates said Pakistan is aware of the threat the (ungoverned) border areas can pose to its stability.

 

[Neo]

US administration not changing Pakistan policy​

WASHINGTON, Jan 28: US Congress appears more sympathetic to the Pakistani opposition than the US administration, which showed little interest in their demands for the restoration of the previous judiciary in Pakistan and a UN-led probe into the murder of Benazir Bhutto.

But the warm reception two opposition delegations from Pakistan received on Capitol Hill this week, also reflects the changing mood of politics in America where Democrats are openly distancing themselves from the rulers in Islamabad.

The first to arrive in Washington was a Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf delegation led by none other than its chief, Imran Khan. The PTI chief had two items on his agenda: seeking US support for the restoration of the judiciary and convincing the Americans that an election at this stage would further destabilise Pakistan.

Soon after his arrival, Mr Khan announced that he is not seeking to see Bush administration officials because Washington will have a new administration in a year and he sees no benefit in meeting an outgoing administration.

But it was not clear whether it was Mr Khan who refused to see them or it was the administration which was not very keen on meeting a PTI delegation.

Mr Khan’s reception on the Hill was the warmest ever the former cricketer has had in the US legislature. He met a number of senior lawmakers, but the meetings did not lead to any expression of support for PTI’s demands. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid did issue a statement after the meeting, urging the Bush administration to suspend financial aid to Pakistan if the Feb 18 elections are rigged but it made no mention of Mr Khan’s demands to postpone the elections or to restore the judiciary.

The PPP delegation, headed by its Information Secretary Sherry Rehman, had larger meetings and keener audience, both on the Hill and in the administration.

Top on their agenda was to seek US support for PPP’s demand for a UN-led probe into Ms Bhutto’s murder. They also demanded a greater United States involvement in ensuring that the Feb 18 elections are fair and free.

Those on the Hill strongly supported both the demands. Some even issued statements saying that they thought the UN involvement in the investigation would add credibility to the process and would have calming affect on the situation in Pakistan.

“It is imperative that the United States continues to work with our Pakistani counterparts in support of liberty and democracy,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, co-chair of the Pakistan Caucus on Capitol Hill after her meeting with the PPP delegation.

Sources in the administration, however, told Dawn that US officials listened patiently when Ms Rehman and other members of the delegation raised their demand for a UN-led probe and a greater US involvement in the electoral process but made no commitment.

Instead, they urged the delegation to look ahead and work with other parties to ensure that Pakistan is able to achieve a stable democratic setup after the elections.

The officials assured them that the US administration is committed to democracy and hopes that the upcoming elections will be “reasonably” fair.

Apparently, the US administration does not want to change its Pakistan policy so close to the US election, due in November, and wants the new administration to deal with a post-election situation in Pakistan.

Those on the Hill have a similar attitude but they are more sympathetic to political forces in Pakistan. During their meetings with the PPP delegation, the lawmakers made it obvious they support a democratic transition in Pakistan and want Washington to support “the Pakistani people rather than an individual,” as Senator Reid said.

They also indicated that if the Democrats win the 2008 presidential election, these views will also show in the policies of the new administration.

Since Ms Rehman was with Benazir Bhutto on that fateful evening when she was shot, US lawmakers and officials were both very keen on learning from her how the shooting happened and who she thought was responsible for her death.

US administration not changing Pakistan policy -DAWN - Top Stories; January 29, 2008

 

[IceCold]

So much for our opposition, selling themselves to the highest bidder. But i was amazed to see Imran khan. He too found his price to the chair.