US envoy denies huge deployment of marines
Friday, August 28, 2009
No more than 20 marines after new embassy premises built, says Anne Patterson
By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir
ISLAMABAD:
The US envoy in Pakistan Ms Anne Wood Patterson has conceded that the impression about her country in Pakistan is ‘very bad’ and it is because of the poor public relations and the undue US bashing by Washington’s critics here.
She said, “We all are responsible for this bad image and are making efforts to remove this perception.” There is a need to promote people-to-people contact to improve the trust between the two countries.
She revealed that about one thousand US Marines are providing internal security to 150 US embassies and consulates across the globe but certain people are insisting that hundreds of marines are being deployed in Islamabad in the wake of the expansion of the embassy complex.
She was talking to a group of senior journalists in the embassy compound on Thursday to explain her country’s position vis-a-vis the expansion of the embassy building and the posting of marines in Pakistan. Patterson who is about to complete her third year here despite its being a non-family station said that the expansion project of the US embassy in Islamabad is needed due to an increase in the financial assistance being given by America to Pakistan and it requires expansion in the embassy infrastructure. But the number of US marines will be less than 20 even after the completion of the expansion project six to seven years down the line. She emphatically denied the reports of a frightening increase in the number of US marines in Pakistan’s capital.
The ambassador clarified that marines are not authorised to be responsible for security or combat duty outside the embassy and their sole responsibility was to protect the internal security of the embassy. They are not supposed to leave the mission building and hence cannot move out of the premises of the embassy. They do not mingle with the embassy officials as they arrange their food and other needs separately on their own.
Patterson said Pakistan will receive about $4 billion in the next 18 months that also includes $1.5 billion under the Kerry-Lugar Bill, $1 billion in military and other economic assistance. For that reason the US embassy needs more staff to handle the increased assistance.
The ambassador said presently the embassy has 250 permanent American staff. Over 1,000 are Pakistani staff working in different sections while 200 are temporary staff. She said after the expansion of the building, the embassy will enhance its strength from 300 to 500 according to the needs and requirements and 60 per cent of them will be Pakistanis.
The US ambassador made it clear that the expansion work of the embassy was being initiated with the consent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Capital Development Authority (CDA). She said the present embassy is situated on 38 acres of land and it has purchased 18 acres more land from the CDA. She said the embassy is in contact with the CDA through the ministry of foreign affairs and added that CDA officials can inspect the construction at any stage if they have any question. The expanded embassy will be constructed according to an authorised plan and design. The whole structure of the present embassy would be demolished, she added.
Clarifying the allocation of $112 million for the construction of marine houses inside the embassy, the ambassador said that it will not be for more than 20 marines and the actual cost for these marine houses will be just $5-9 million and most of the funds would be utilised for the facilities for the marines.
Regarding construction, the ambassador said, the entire labour would be from Pakistan and even a Turkish contractor given the task for construction at one of the sections hired Pakistani staff where only one Turk works.
Commenting on the propaganda from Pakistani politicians and religious parties regarding the number of marines, the ambassador said, the embassy would interact with them to explain the actual facts.She also denied any secret deal with former President Pervez Musharraf for the purpose of expansion of the embassy building.
Replying to a question, the ambassador confirmed that as there are over 250 US permanent staff in Islamabad therefore, the embassy has hired about 200 houses here for its staff. The houses would be vacated as soon the expanded embassy building is completed, she said.
The ambassador said the US embassy is also looking for property for the construction of its new consulate in Peshawar and added that there will be expansion in the US consulate in Karachi also. She said in the expansion project, the embassy is making arrangements to build its own houses for its permanent staff so that they could live with their families.
About the stories of hiring the officials of Blackwater, she denied any such deal and said there is no agreement between the embassy and Blackwater for security in Islamabad. She said Blackwater was not working with thw State Department.
The ambassador said the US has been providing air support to the Ministry of Interior. She did not elaborate on this. To a question about allegations of spying on Pakistan through the expansion of the embassy, the ambassador denied such reports. She said, “We do not need a big embassy if we want to spy on Pakistan.” She said, “We do not need to spy on Pakistan.” The ambassador said the charges of spying on Pakistan are ridiculous.
Answering a question about helping Pakistan in the energy sector, the ambassador said the US is interested in providing financial assistance for hydel projects to resolve the energy crisis. She said there are five American engineers presently in Pakistan for looking into the possibility of helping Pakistan in the hydel sector.
Replying to a question, the ambassador said following the military action against the militants in Swat and other areas, the security situation has improved. She eulogised the operation carried out by Pakistani troops in Malakand and Swat. She said US is also satisfied with the security of the nuclear system and arsenals of Pakistan.
According to the figures provided by the embassy $736.5 million would fund a major upgrade of facilities in Islamabad to meet the security and building infrastructure needs. This includes: $111 million for the construction in Islamabad of a new annexe to accommodate approximately 330 personnel; $405 million for the renovation or replacement of the existing chancery to accommodate approximately 645 personnel; $108 million for permanent New Embassy Compound (NEC) housing (156 units); $112.5 million for construction of US Marine Corps security guard quarters, and general office facilities. In addition, $29.6 million would support site acquisition for future construction of new consulate facilities in Lahore, and $40.1 million would support diplomatic facilities in Peshawar.
It’s important to note that the amount of $112.5 million is for marine security guard quarters and general office facilities. Of the $112.5 million $5 million would be for the marine security guard quarters the rest would be for other offices and facilities. The Office Management and Budget (OMB) document is very general. Here is the breakdown: MSGQ $5M, Housing Infrastructure $53.5M, GSO Area Improvements $18M, TDY quarters/community support facilities $36M. The new compound will also have a hotel in the middle of it that would be used for the stay of the guests of the embassy, she added.
US envoy denies huge deployment of marines
