The Obama administration cautioned Pakistan that its performance in the fight against terrorism would be linked to financial aid.
The Obama administration cautioned Pakistan that it would be held accountable for security in the border regions of Afghanis-tan and its performance in the fight against terrorism would be linked to financial aid.
In Washington, Pakistan Ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqani, reacted sharply, and said his country would review its options if the administration didn’t adopt a positive policy towards it.
Haqqani said former President George W Bush was more inclined to getting his words accepted than listening to others and believed in the use of force.
He said Barack Obama, as compared to Bush, believed in holding talks and hoped the he (Obama) would give more patient hearing to Pakistan’s views.
Haqqani further hoped that Obama in relation to the war against terrorism would also pay attention to the political, foreign policy factors and socio-economic matters.
Obama’s taking over as president has been met with acclaim the world over, except in Pakistan.
In the frontline state in the war on terror since 9/11, his taking charge was met with either cautious optimism or scepticism, as his recent statements have not been encouraging for Pakistanis.
“President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will increase non-military aid to Pakistan and hold them accountable for security in the border region with Afghanistan,” the White House said in its foreign policy agenda document released soon after Obama occupied the Oval office.
Biden, a known expert on Afghanistan and Pakistan, in the capacity as chairman of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had introduced legislation in the US Senate. The bill calls for greater accountability on security assistance. Co-authored by the Republican Senator, Richard Lugar, the legislation proposes to triple non-military aid to Pakistan in the next five years.
The White House statement came after Pakistani President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s messages of goodwill. They expressed confidence that under Obama’s inspiring leadership, Pakistan-US relations, friendship and cooperation between the two nations will continue to gain strength in the years ahead.
Obama assumed presidency at a time when the US is looking ahead to this year’s round of fighting in Afghanistan against the Taliban-led insurgency once winter passes.
American Central Command commander General David Petraeus paid a one-day visit
to Pakistan on Tuesday. In meetings with senior officials, including army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kiani, Petraeus said the US and the international community would continue to support Pakistan, but it needed to put its house in order on the issue of militancy.
Petraeus reportedly committed to a surge in US troops to about 60,000, but Pakistan’s cooperation in dealing with militants based in its tribal areas is essential. The militants use the bases to support their operations in Afghanistan.
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