Pakistan US Relations After the US attack on PA Soldiers

[Abu Zolfiqar]

By: Special Correspondent | Submitted 47 mins ago

NEW YORK - A prominent American columnist Tuesday cautioned the U.S. against getting into "heedless and unnecessary" confrontations with Pakistan, saying there will be no chaos-free exit from Afghanistan without Islamabad's cooperation.

"To make an enemy out of Pakistan is to lose sight of the fact that Pakistan is far more important to US interests than Afghanistan ever was," wrote H.D.S. Greenway, who served the U.S. Navy before turning to journalism.

Writing in The Boston Globe under the headline "In Pakistan, the US continues to make errors", the columnist regretted that US officials keep scolding Pakistan for not subordinating its strategic interests to America’s.

"For example, is it reasonable to demand that Pakistan attack the militant Haqqani network within its borders while at the same time Americans have been trying to negotiate with Haqqani leaders," he asked. "Since the United States is planning to leave Afghanistan, Pakistan sees a need to maintain relationships with some of the players, especially among the ethnic Pashtuns, who will continue to be involved in the Afghan drama long after the United States has left the stage," the columnist pointed out.

Greenway wrote, "And what a curious doctrine is this 'fight, talk, and build’ that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton keeps talking about. Wasn’t that what we tried to do in Vietnam - bomb Hanoi to make the North Vietnamese come to their senses and do what we wanted?

From Pakistan’s point of view, what would Americans say if a Pakistani intelligence officer stepped out of his car in an American city and shot two Americans dead; took their photographs and sped away, as CIA contractor Raymond Davis did to two Pakistanis did in Lahore in January?

"Obama was correct to go after Osama bin Laden without telling the Pakistanis, because someone in the Pakistani hierarchy might have tipped off the world’s most wanted man. But we could have included some Pakistani commandos in the attack. We could have asked Pakistan to send us some soldiers to train with ours, and then put a few in the helicopters without them even knowing where they were headed, which would have preserved security. Hypocrisy? Yes, but a little hypocrisy to get bin Laden and still save Pakistan face would have been worth it in order to soften Pakistan’s humiliation about an obvious violation of Pakistani sovereignty.

"And now NATO has killed 24 Pakistani soldiers along the Afghanistan border. What actually happened last week is in dispute. Both sides may have thought they were being attacked by the Taliban. But one thing is clear. Pakistani soldiers were killed inside Pakistan by American planes and helicopters inside Pakistani airspace.

"What was the US-led coalition doing so close to Pakistan? It would have made more sense not to operate so close to the frontier, even if it meant that some Taliban might escape. After all, they can find sanctuary deeper in Pakistan. Limited wars always include restraints. America’s war in Afghanistan is not going to end with a Taliban surrender on the deck of a battleship, as World War II ended. There will be compromises, and one of them needs to be that the United States doesn’t violate Pakistani sovereignty.

"America seems oblivious to how unpopular its drone strikes are, or that Pakistan has lost many more soldiers fighting Islamist extremists than has NATO. The average Pakistani views the whole Afghan campaign as America’s war that has brought them only misfortune and death.

"It is said that Pakistan has a weak civilian government and that its military and intelligence services are running the show. But can something similar be said of the United States? The US military out-maneuvered an inexperienced president into a deeper Afghanistan commitment than even the Bush administration was willing to make. Is the military-intelligence complex striving to keep the United States involved in Afghanistan longer than it might otherwise be, and getting into heedless and unnecessary confrontations with Pakistan?"

US urged not to engage in 'unnecessary' confrontations with Pakistan | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online

 

[Omar1984]

During the Obama administration, Pakistan-America relations became in an all-time low.

 

[Omar1984]

America’s Pakistan phobia


Pakistan’s 10-year long, unconditional alliance with the USA in the war on terror has failed to generate any mutual confidence. In America’s perception, Pakistan still “cannot be trusted.” These are the words of Texas Governor Rick Perry, Republican Party Presidential hopeful, who, in a candidates’ debate on foreign policy, said: “Until Pakistan clearly shows that they have America’s best interest in mind, I would not send them a penny.” Another Republican, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann calls Pakistan “the most violent, unstable nation” that has a “cache of nuclear weapons” and “had to be taken seriously.” The most bizarre observation of Congresswoman Bachmann is that Al-Qaeda could get hold of these weapons and they “could find their way into NY City or Washington DC.” Two things stand out from these observations.

The alliance that Pakistan built with the USA under Musharraf was an ambiguous one; it seems that the Americans were given an impression that Pakistan will do anything and go to any length to satisfy their demands. In their perception, Pakistan would sacrifice its own national interests for the sake of American interests. In Rick Perry’s words, Pakistan should be willing and ready to sell its national interests for US dollars. If that was the understanding that Musharraf conveyed and our present government has maintained, then they have sold this nation in bondage. It is important to mention that the man declaring this perception is not an ordinary person; he holds a responsible office and is aspiring to be the most powerful man in the world. But Ms Bachmann seems to have been influenced by Hollywood propaganda thrillers that portray terrorists carrying nuclear bombs in their backpacks to plant them in the US cities. In her perception, Al-Qaeda operatives can steal nuclear bombs from Pakistan, pack them in their rucksacks, travel around the globe, enter the USA and plant them in major cities. However, this may happen in an action-thriller; in reality, it is only a scare tactic.


It seems that the hype being created against Pakistan has a definite purpose. So many Americans holding responsible positions are making statements and showing concern about Pakistan that the American people, in particular, and the world, in general, are bound to listen. For instance, the former US Ambassador to China, Jon M. Huntsman, said that the dangers posed by Pakistan are of significant concerns; “that’s the country that ought to keep everyone up at night.” Huntsman is also wary of Pak-China friendship and its growing diplomatic and military relationship.

Why has Pakistan failed to gain American trust? We Pakistanis being of an extrovert nature take everything on face value; we take promises seriously and never learn from history. During the so-called jihad against the USSR, Pakistan was lured in on tall promises only to be left alone when the job was done. Some people did get rich, but the entire nation paid the price of that alliance and is still paying. The ongoing alliance is no different. Despite our best cooperation, we remain untrustworthy.

Actually, Pakistan can never be trusted by the Zionist-dominated United States of America. It is a Muslim country with credible military potential, besides possessing nuclear weapons. Such a Muslim country will always remain suspect in the Zionist perception and a danger to Israel. I may be sounding paranoid, but in my assessment the US adventure in Afghanistan had and still has an ulterior agenda. Pakistan’s nuclear facilities and its weapon arsenal are on their hit list. In their superpower arrogance, they have even declared their intentions. They have built many hypothetical scenarios and even laid down plans how this aim can be achieved. They may placate Pakistan and its politico-military leadership on this account, but they are consistent in their objective. Israel will keep the pressure on to have its objective achieved. The names Bachmann and Huntsman stated above point towards this pressure.


Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also a presidential contender, insists that the US-Pak relationship has to change; he advises the State Department to tell the Pakistanis “help us or get out of the way, but don’t complain if we kill the people on your soil you are not willing to go after.” This, in fact, is a demand to give the Americans an unlimited blanket sanction to kill anyone they want on Pakistan soil. The gunship attack on Salalah in Mohmand Agency in which 24 Pakistani soldiers died seems to be the outcome of Gingrich’s advice. This attack came in response to a call for close support from Isaf troops, who had launched a ground attack in the area. This has been revealed by an Isaf spokesman. If that is correct, then it means that the Isaf and Nato troops have launched a planned attack on Pakistani soil and that is an act of war. The response shown by our military and civil leadership is most humiliating. Launching a ‘strong protest’ is showing moral and physical weakness; we have been launching such protests and saying ‘no more’ prior to this attack too without any impact. The Abbottabad raid had generated a similar response, even an APC resolution was developed without any material effect on the actions and designs of the USA. A flurry of diplomatic and military movements lulls us to sleep again.


In reality, the USA under Zionist pressure is provoking us to retaliate against the military excursions on Pakistani soil where they kill our military personnel at will. Any retaliation will be declared an act of war against the USA for which the public opinion is being built at home by those who hope to take the American leadership in the coming year. The statements quoted above are an exercise in this direction. In previous years, the US military and intelligence agencies deployed an army of spies in Pakistan; though Raymond Davis blew this clandestine operation away no one knows what these secret operatives were doing in the country - they might have been collecting data and information about our nuclear assets. There is an eerie feeling that these operatives have collected some reasonable information about our nuclear assets and the USA feels confident that in the event of an open conflict, they can possibly take out this capability. They hope that open hostile acts that kill people on our soil are provocations, which can and may evoke a military response from Pakistan providing them a reason to openly attack.

Pakistan has played along the USA for 10 years and paid a heavy price in human lives and loss of property. We are an unsafe and unstable country reeling under poverty and economic chaos. We should be bold enough to tell the USA that it is not our war; they should fight it alone. The decisions to review the bilateral ties on the war on terror should be followed to its logical conclusion. The withdrawal of base facility and use of supply routes should not be re-granted under pressure that will come our way. This time our military and political leadership should show some spine and demonstrate the will and resolve to stand by the decisions made. The military leadership should be mindful of the morale at lower echelons of all three services. Junior ranks look up to their seniors for courage and leadership; in its absence despondency and dejection sets in. If we defy the US demands, worst that can happen is that they may become diplomatically hostile; however, embarking on a war path is not an easy option. Pakistanis as a nation have the potential to stand up against the odds; the leadership must put its trust in the nation. Dying for a cause is a noble gesture and there is no bigger cause than protecting national integrity.

The writer is a retired brigadier and political analyst.

America’s Pakistan phobia | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online

 

[mr42O]

One can only watch in horror as relations between the United States and Pakistan continue to deteriorate, for there will be no chaos-free exit from Afghanistan without Pakistan. We have become accustomed, now, to the loud accusations of perfidy leveled at Islamabad -playing a double game, Americans say, protecting terrorists who are attacking our troops in Afghanistan. But to make an enemy out of Pakistan is to lose sight of the fact that Pakistan is far more important to US interests than Afghanistan ever was. Republican contenders for Barak Obama’s job fall over each other suggesting ways to be tough on Pakistan. But it was John Huntsman who put his finger on the problem. ”I would recognize exactly what the US -Pakistani relationship has become, which is merely a transactional relationship,” Huntsman said. American aid should be contingent on Pakistan’s keeping up the fight on terrorism and on keeping American supply lines to Afghanistan open. It is said that Pakistan has a weak civilian government and that its military and intelligence services are running the show. But can something similar be said of the United States? The US military out- maneuvered an inexperienced president into a deeper Afghanistan commitment than even the Bush administration was willing to make. Is the military-intelligence complex striving to keep the United States involved in Afghanistan longer than it might otherwise be, and getting into heedless and unnecessary confrontations with Pakistan?

In Pakistan, the US continues to make errors - Opinion - The Boston Globe

 

[bdslph]

i was expecting Obama to understand and also improve the relations but i saw opposite

america lost a important friend

making friend with Pakistan is same Making friend with China

 

[bdslph]

Pakistan and USA had a fight and not they filed for separation
long term break will be good it will give the USA and NATO to realize what they have done , (if they have any brain )

 

[53fd]

Interesting piece. Instead of creating & exposing faultlines in the Pakistan military & its intelligence, the US's dealings with Pakistan have exposed the own faultlines of their own administration.

 

[CENTCOM]

I hope and this break will be true and for GOOD......Insha-Allah!.......

Pakistan and USA had a fight and not they filed for separation
long term break will be good it will give the USA and NATO to realize what they have done , (if they have any brain )

Before we let our emotions take over and incite us into making a decision, it is extremely important that we acknowledge the risks that might follow. Our common enemies are dead set on destabilizing the region, and hardly a week goes by before we hear about an attack on both sides of the border. The series of attacks since the tragic incident on November 26th are strong enough proof that the common threat that forced us to join hands in the first place, still lingers over our nations. We completely understand that this tragic incident has severely dented our alliance and left many with ill feelings towards the US. But we humbly ask all to await the results of the ongoing investigation before concluding that a break in our partnership would be beneficial to either side. The terrorists are certainly not taking the back seat, and the recent suicidal attack on Mazar-i-Sharif once again reminds us that those who threaten our sovereignty will take advantage of the situation. Therefore, we hope for the sake of the region that our relationship will recover from this tragedy and our nations will carry forward the common mission against terrorism.

‏MAJ Nevers,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

Under Musharraf things were balanced , He was supporting US but was also keeping Pakistan's Interest at the same time, example: got F-16s etc and corruption was not that much , but when he was tiring to save his presidency he did things which were not in Pakistan's interest like NRO (which he has admitted too) etc plus MQM influence on him also made him to make mistakes.

Zardari had only one thing on his mind and that was only US and Indian interest to protect in Afghanistan and Pakistan. he gave India Most favoirty nation status just before the NATO pre planned attack.

Musharraf kept Pakistan assets save from US but Zardari was even going to sell them.

 

[regular]

Before we let our emotions take over and incite us into making a decision, it is extremely important that we acknowledge the risks that might follow. Our common enemies are dead set on destabilizing the region, and hardly a week goes by before we hear about an attack on both sides of the border. The series of attacks since the tragic incident on November 26th are strong enough proof that the common threat that forced us to join hands in the first place, still lingers over our nations. We completely understand that this tragic incident has severely dented our alliance and left many with ill feelings towards the US. But we humbly ask all to await the results of the ongoing investigation before concluding that a break in our partnership would be beneficial to either side. The terrorists are certainly not taking the back seat, and the recent suicidal attack on Mazar-i-Sharif once again reminds us that those who threaten our sovereignty will take advantage of the situation. Therefore, we hope for the sake of the region that our relationship will recover from this tragedy and our nations will carry forward the common mission against terrorism.

‏MAJ Nevers,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command

Sir! We've alwayz been trying to help U guyz out but its ure Ure govt hurting ure own missions by attacking our innocent soldiers...thats why we have to keep ourselves safe from future problems or errupting a fullfledge war between us. Since no official apology has been issued from ure govt cuz they never even confessed its their mistake. If Ure govt was sincere with us they would have taken full reponsibility , appologized and handed over the culprits to us for the prosecution plus would have offered us the damage reembursement for the suffered families etc etc .. .....

 

[TARIQ BN ZIYAAD]

bye bye u.s , i m sure we won't miss u

TARIQ

 

[Sinnerman108]

Before we let our emotions take over and incite us into making a decision, it is extremely important that we acknowledge the risks that might follow. Our common enemies are dead set on destabilizing the region, and hardly a week goes by before we hear about an attack on both sides of the border. The series of attacks since the tragic incident on November 26th are strong enough proof that the common threat that forced us to join hands in the first place, still lingers over our nations. We completely understand that this tragic incident has severely dented our alliance and left many with ill feelings towards the US. But we humbly ask all to await the results of the ongoing investigation before concluding that a break in our partnership would be beneficial to either side. The terrorists are certainly not taking the back seat, and the recent suicidal attack on Mazar-i-Sharif once again reminds us that those who threaten our sovereignty will take advantage of the situation. Therefore, we hope for the sake of the region that our relationship will recover from this tragedy and our nations will carry forward the common mission against terrorism.

‏MAJ Nevers,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command

See it's like this.

if decades of forced / consensual cooperation and operation can't bond US and Pakistan
then it's best to stop trying , and seek independent means of seeking our goals.

 

[somebozo]

Next we need to take Russia into confidence and simultaneously cease all NATO / US supplies into Afghanistan and turn it into a grave yard of American forces.

 

[Omar1984]

Before we let our emotions take over and incite us into making a decision, it is extremely important that we acknowledge the risks that might follow. Our common enemies are dead set on destabilizing the region, and hardly a week goes by before we hear about an attack on both sides of the border. The series of attacks since the tragic incident on November 26th are strong enough proof that the common threat that forced us to join hands in the first place, still lingers over our nations. We completely understand that this tragic incident has severely dented our alliance and left many with ill feelings towards the US. But we humbly ask all to await the results of the ongoing investigation before concluding that a break in our partnership would be beneficial to either side. The terrorists are certainly not taking the back seat, and the recent suicidal attack on Mazar-i-Sharif once again reminds us that those who threaten our sovereignty will take advantage of the situation. Therefore, we hope for the sake of the region that our relationship will recover from this tragedy and our nations will carry forward the common mission against terrorism.

‏MAJ Nevers,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command

The truth is that Pakistan and U.S. don't share a common enemy. Is India America's enemy


Afghan Taliban never harmed Pakistan, they never even harmed any innocent American civilian. U.S. blames Al Qaeda for the 9/11 attacks not Afghan Taliban, and Al Qaeda's top commander, Osama Bin Laden, is dead and Al Qaeda is in its weakest state (according to the White House), so why stick around?

End this useless war OF terror immediately, this war is just destroying the region and destroying Pakistan's and even America's economies.

 

[MastanKhan]

Before we let our emotions take over and incite us into making a decision, it is extremely important that we acknowledge the risks that might follow. Our common enemies are dead set on destabilizing the region, and hardly a week goes by before we hear about an attack on both sides of the border. The series of attacks since the tragic incident on November 26th are strong enough proof that the common threat that forced us to join hands in the first place, still lingers over our nations. We completely understand that this tragic incident has severely dented our alliance and left many with ill feelings towards the US. But we humbly ask all to await the results of the ongoing investigation before concluding that a break in our partnership would be beneficial to either side. The terrorists are certainly not taking the back seat, and the recent suicidal attack on Mazar-i-Sharif once again reminds us that those who threaten our sovereignty will take advantage of the situation. Therefore, we hope for the sake of the region that our relationship will recover from this tragedy and our nations will carry forward the common mission against terrorism.

‏MAJ Nevers,
DET, United States Central Command
U.S. Central Command

Maj Nevers,

The insurgents don't sit on the mountain tops and manage bunkers and bases---they are found in the valleys---in the caves---hiding behind the rocks---under the trees---they don't openly maintain their position on a mountain top for hours in large numbers---I am pretty sure you had known about---.

Remember the american pilot who killed close to 100 italians riding a ski gondola to the top of the mountain---people who don't know that---fort them----this guy came flying in low---very low----he was not suppused to be at that low level in the valley---guess what----his aircraft tail hit he cable carrying the ski lift---the cable was knifed----a 100 plus italians fell to their deaths---.

Americans flyers are known to not obey orders---they have killed many an innocent on the ground---.