Daily Times Editorial Jan 15, 2010

Holbrooke accosted

US special envoy Richard Holbrooke seems to be having a torrid time in Pakistan. This comes as no surprise to us since reservations and even anti-US feeling are growing throughout the country. The government, whatever its real views, seems also to feel the need to placate angry public opinion by taking a tougher stance against US policies to visiting American dignitaries. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi led the assault in interaction and a later press conference with Mr Holbrooke when it was revealed that the American envoy had been told in no uncertain terms that continuing or escalating drone attacks and (heaven forbid) ground operations inside Pakistan by US forces would hurt mutual ties. He went on to express the widespread anger and irritation at the enhanced discriminatory security measures at US and European airports against Pakistanis, tantamount to racial profiling. Qureshi thus drew ‘red lines’ not to be crossed for his guest. Holbrooke seemed more chastened and diplomatic than one is accustomed to seeing from him. He tried to put the best gloss possible on the increasingly difficult relationship with Pakistan by asserting that ties were better than a year ago, more US assistance and trade opportunities were in the pipeline, the new security measures were not Pakistan-specific and in any case were under review, and that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would soon be journeying to Pakistan to clear the air. He went on to offer the reassurance that the US was not in contact with the Taliban, the Indian army chief’s views were not official policy, and while the US understood Pakistan’s security concerns, particularly vis-à-vis India, the US would not broker relations between Pakistan and India unless and until both sides asked it to.
Holbrooke also got an earful from Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on the issue of delayed Coalition Support Fund payments, which at last count have mounted to over $ 2 billion. He also asked the US government to route reconstruction funds aid for Malakand through the government’s channels to expedite the process of winning hearts and minds in the areas recently cleared of militants through rehabilitation, reconstruction and development efforts. On the contentious issue of delayed visas for American officials and others, the prime minister promised quick redress.
Graciously, Holbrooke praised the prime minister for the development of a national consensus on issues at the heart of Pakistan’s problems. In other interactions, Holbrooke highlighted US aid for the energy sector, which would amount to $ 4 billion over four years, starting with the $ 16.5 million aid for Tarbela’s power generation enhancement. This programme is in line with Hillary Clinton’s initiative to provide $ 125 million for Pakistan’s energy sector. Holbrooke’s regret was that despite all that the US was trying to do to help Pakistan, the media here was far from appreciative. He did express his concerns however, about the issue of the Haqqani network, which is a thorn in the side of the US and Nato forces in Afghanistan.
The issues that glue together the tenuous alliance between Pakistan and the US are negated by the issues that divide them. The unstated difference that is the subtext of all diplomatic engagements between the two sides is the contradiction at the heart of Pakistan’s policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban, or at the very least turning a blind eye to their activities from Pakistani soil, while initiating military campaigns to crush their Pakistani counterparts. This ‘division’ could end up causing headaches to both sides and eventually even a rift, especially since President Obama’s desire to train and leave behind effective Afghan forces and start withdrawing American forces could run foul of an intact and resurgent Taliban movement in Afghanistan. Both Washington and Islamabad need to address this invisible ‘gulf’ honestly if the alliance is to endure.