TruthSeeker
PDF THINK TANK: ANALYST
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2008
- Messages
- 6,390
- Reaction score
- 3
- Country
- Location
Pakistan's army bares its teeth in US aid flap
By NAHAL TOOSI (AP) 26 minutes ago
ISLAMABAD Just last week, Pakistan's foreign minister was playing down his army's objections to a multibillion dollar U.S. aid bill. Days later, after a session with the army chief, he was back in Washington urging U.S. lawmakers to address the very concerns he had dismissed.
The about-face shows the delicate dance between Pakistan's fragile civilian government and the powerful military, less than two years after the army formally gave up control of the country.
Pakistan's military objects to language that links money for counterterrorism assistance to meeting various conditions. The legislation also requires the U.S. secretary of state to report to Congress every six months on whether Pakistan's government maintains effective control over the military, including its budgets, the chain of command and top promotions.
Opposition lawmaker Ayaz Amir said if the proposal's wording does not change a process that could require sending it back to Congress it could deepen the rift between the army and the government.
Stephen Fakan, the U.S. consul-general in the southern city of Karachi, stressed the positive impact of the package on Pakistan, where U.S. motives are always viewed in suspicion after years of American support for military dictators.
Analysts say the army's unusual public statement last week raising "serious concern" over the bill was intended as a message to the Pakistani and U.S. governments about the limits of civilian control in a country that has spent about half its 62-year history under military rule.
"It means the army has certain red lines and if you cross those lines, then they come in and they're like, 'Hang on a minute, you can't do this,'" said Cyril Almeida, a local columnist and analyst.
It's not the first time the military has chastened President Asif Ali Zardari's government.
Raising concerns about the aid bill may have strengthened its hand against the civilian government, but the Pakistani military can go only so far when it comes to an issue that involves the Americans, analyst Hasan-Askari Rizvi said.
"The military would not like to completely alienate the United States," he said. "They need modern weapons and technology, which obviously comes from the United States."
Pakistan's history is marked by military coups, but the army is trying avoid the impression it wants to seize power again. Even its statement expressing concern about the aid package took care to specify that it was up to Parliament to debate the matter.
Almeida said the current prospect of an overthrow is low because "the politicians aren't unpopular enough to merit a coup at this time." However, he added, "to write off the possibility of a coup in this country you only do so at your peril."
The Associated Press: Pakistan's army bares its teeth in US aid flap
-------------------------------------------
It is ironic that the USA has been so chastised by Pakistani voices for supporting military rule in Pakistan in the past, but when it puts pro-civilian rule language in its aid bill it is also vehemently denounced! Obviously the USA can't win when Pakistanis themselves are so divided.
By NAHAL TOOSI (AP) 26 minutes ago
ISLAMABAD Just last week, Pakistan's foreign minister was playing down his army's objections to a multibillion dollar U.S. aid bill. Days later, after a session with the army chief, he was back in Washington urging U.S. lawmakers to address the very concerns he had dismissed.
The about-face shows the delicate dance between Pakistan's fragile civilian government and the powerful military, less than two years after the army formally gave up control of the country.
Pakistan's military objects to language that links money for counterterrorism assistance to meeting various conditions. The legislation also requires the U.S. secretary of state to report to Congress every six months on whether Pakistan's government maintains effective control over the military, including its budgets, the chain of command and top promotions.
Opposition lawmaker Ayaz Amir said if the proposal's wording does not change a process that could require sending it back to Congress it could deepen the rift between the army and the government.
Stephen Fakan, the U.S. consul-general in the southern city of Karachi, stressed the positive impact of the package on Pakistan, where U.S. motives are always viewed in suspicion after years of American support for military dictators.
Analysts say the army's unusual public statement last week raising "serious concern" over the bill was intended as a message to the Pakistani and U.S. governments about the limits of civilian control in a country that has spent about half its 62-year history under military rule.
"It means the army has certain red lines and if you cross those lines, then they come in and they're like, 'Hang on a minute, you can't do this,'" said Cyril Almeida, a local columnist and analyst.
It's not the first time the military has chastened President Asif Ali Zardari's government.
Raising concerns about the aid bill may have strengthened its hand against the civilian government, but the Pakistani military can go only so far when it comes to an issue that involves the Americans, analyst Hasan-Askari Rizvi said.
"The military would not like to completely alienate the United States," he said. "They need modern weapons and technology, which obviously comes from the United States."
Pakistan's history is marked by military coups, but the army is trying avoid the impression it wants to seize power again. Even its statement expressing concern about the aid package took care to specify that it was up to Parliament to debate the matter.
Almeida said the current prospect of an overthrow is low because "the politicians aren't unpopular enough to merit a coup at this time." However, he added, "to write off the possibility of a coup in this country you only do so at your peril."
The Associated Press: Pakistan's army bares its teeth in US aid flap
-------------------------------------------
It is ironic that the USA has been so chastised by Pakistani voices for supporting military rule in Pakistan in the past, but when it puts pro-civilian rule language in its aid bill it is also vehemently denounced! Obviously the USA can't win when Pakistanis themselves are so divided.
