Gates visit created more misunderstanding

It was intended to write a detailed analysis of Robert Gates, American Defence Secretary’s statement in India which was repeated in Pakistan . This is no longer necessary after Talat commented on it in his TV program last night. Normally Talat is brilliant in giving analysis of international developments but last night ,

on Friday Jan 22 he out performed himself as his was a very perceptive analysis of what Gates’ statement meant to Pakistan .His commentary was in contrast to a certain defence analyist’s on a TV channel one day earlier on Gates statement in India. Nonetheless, Gates offensive statement cannot be ignored in this column as well.

It is most unusual for a foreign minister on a visit to that country to speak on behalf of his host. The host has a tongue and he also could say what the occasion required. However, as if speaking on behalf of India- most Gates warned Pakistan that if an incident like Mumbai happened again India may react against Pakistan. He praised India’s mature and restrain response in not reacting to the Mumbai incident earlier that is had India attacked Pakistan even in the first case US would have understood . This can be easily seen as saying to India that what you did first you should not do if such a terrorist act recurs, and that US will understand if India attacked Pakistan in retaliation. He asked Pakistan not to let its territory be used for attacks on other countries. This is how any diplomat of some experience would interpret Gates statement. As any diplomat knows the meaning of statement is not included in a few homilies which come in any diplomatic statement but what may be considered as the “punch line” All other ifs and buts before are mere additives.

Now as Talat pointed out how many countries including US and Germany not been used by terrorists as launching pads of their activities, even in 9’11 twin tower attack, etc. It has been made clear today that Pakistan cannot guarantee that some unknown terrorists use Pakistani soil for launching terrorist attacks. It is as impossible for Pakistan to stop such attacks as for US, UK, Germany, Egypt etc

Was Gates statement made to underline a fact that despite Pakistan fighting American ignited war in this region on Pak-Afghan border , suffering a loss of around $ 11 billion US is more allied to India than cares for Pakistan part in the war on terrorism. . This statement underlined India-US strategic alliance even against Pakistan. How, need be explained: America’s total identification with India over even Pakistan.

Saying that Gates had been misunderstood is an unacceptable alibi. As the Defenec Minister of a global power, Gates cannot be counted as not being a very seasoned policy maker who knows very well what he speaks and what his words mean. It is normal excuse of such leaders to take refuge under such excuses as to have been misunderstood.

Confessing that Blackwater exists in Pakistan only confirmed what Pakistanis know and every observant Islamite knows . It is only a confirmation of what is an open secret except to the Interior Minister and agencies. Any Pakistani can take any one wanting to knop where the Blackwater live in Islamabad can take the enquirer to F 6 and now E 7 and point out the mysterious houses which have been taken up by Blackwaters. The barbed wires, the sand bags in front of the houses , the road blocks around them. Ahow that the house is meant for some mysterious gangs. Their presence in Kahuts’s environs, etc are common knowledge and experience. Government spokesmen should not try to be more loyal than the king. Gates says that US has no intentions against Pakistan’s Nuclear assets or capability itself. Just the same day with Halbrooke present British Foreign Secretary David Miliband made the well know statement against Pak nuclear assets testifying at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that there is real risk in Nuclear Pakistan risks slipping into radical hands. What Britain says reflects American policy, if not today tomorrow. One is surprised on Miliband’s statement. How a tiny minority of mountains of the north can take over the most enlightened Muslims of a hard core of scientists, economists , highly educated men and women of Pakistan thrown out from the country’s seat of power and social leadership . Miliband should know better the hold of the Pakistan’s modernized minority elite second to none, any where in the world, retaining nation’s leadership in all fields. It will be a mistake to underestimate their importance.

This is the time to say that we take note of Gates’ statement that Taleban in Afghanistan are part of their national scene and the US / NATO intend to talk to them- or negotiate a peace deal. We can say then what is good for the goose is good for the gander. Our Taliban are part of pour national scene. Yes we are at war with them at present but we are not happy on killing our own people although it is necessary for our own security. We too should emulate American approach to Taliban and hold talks with them. Army is quite right that for the next one year they intend to consolidate their gains in South Waziristan and not to extend the war to North Waziristan. The Army had done much, much better in the war against Taliban than the mighty NATO and world power US’ forces. We have no financial to carry on such an expensive operation.. With Indians threatening our Southern borders we have to reduce our commitment on the Northern borders. Now that Gates have asked the Indians to go after Pakistan, with his clearance to India to attack Pakistan, we must be prepared to meet the external threat than concentrating on internal insecurity

This is where Gates visit has made us question the wisdom of remaining committed to extending the theater of war against the Taliban in our tribal areas. His statement in India were made when some Pakistani circles were planning a people-to-people peace offensive. He has made those who were planning such a public campaign would find their job difficult.

Before closing this column it might be said that there have been three types of American visitors to Pakistan. The routine contact persons like Halbrooke who come with a ready made plan to which Pakistan must comply, they come to sell the plans and thus convey orders; the other are high powered like Gates who create more misunderstandings than harmony and Hillary Clinton, who at least have a n attitude of persons of good will, and try to learn what is the public opinion . They have their own agenda but at least they create a good impression of friendly understanding or an attempt to understand what Pakistanis want and why, even if they have their own mandate. The less there are such visits as Gates the better.

Dr Samiullah Koreshi

Short URL: http://www.daily.pk/?p=15314

on Jan 25 2010. Filed under Editorials. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry