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Pakistan-USA Relations 2
US President George W Bush was expected to have high-level contacts with the new government of Pakistan soon after President Pervez Musharraf quit, but the White House would not say if and when Bush would call his 'personal friend' Musharraf. It is not clear now if the US was involved in any discussion about moving its former key ally out of Pakistan. US states that as far as President Musharraf's location, where he will eventually live, that's a matter for him and the Pakistanis to deal with. It is not evident if Musharraf would be brought back in some other capacity.
The US ambassador to Pakistan, Anne W. Patterson, has regular contact with the government of Pakistan and has had a number of meetings with the leaders and he sadi: 'We have ongoing cooperation with the government of Pakistan, and we will continue to'. But as far as the resignation of Musharraf, not too long ago regarded by the USA as indispensable, Washington said it is a matter for Pakistanis' internal political process for them. 'Prior to that and now ongoing, they have had relations and discussions and continued cooperation with the Pakistani government, and they will continue to do so, suggesting there was nothing personal about US relations with Musharraf.
George W. Bush on August 22 reassured Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani of the US administration's continued support for the democratic government in Pakistan in the wake of former President Pervez Musharraf's resignation. Bush also called former President Pervez Musharraf to wish him well and thanked him for his efforts in Pakistan's transition to democracy. Bush also thanked him for his help in the war against terror. An election to choose his successor is expected to be held on 06 September. Gilani thanked Bush for the delivery of F-16s to Pakistan and release of 116 million dollars to finance the mid-lifeupgrade of Pakistan's ageing fleet of F-16 fighters. Gilani also thanked Bush for authorizing the delivery of 20 P-37 trainer jets to Pakistan. During a telephone call to Gilani, Bush inquired about the upcoming presidential election to choose Musharraf's successor. Bush also asked Gilani as to when the government was bringing about a balance between the Presidency and Parliament.
Premier Gilani thanked Bush for his continuous support for strengthening democracy in Pakistan and said the people and government are grateful for the promotion of "democratic" norms by the US administration. Gilani said his government is working on the agenda for ensuring a balance between the Presidency and parliament and the target will be achieved within three months. Bush told Gilani that both governments have strong ties and assured the Prime Minister that his administration will continue supporting the democratic government of Pakistan. Bush also expressed sorrow and concern over the loss of lives in 21 August's suicide attack within Wah cantonment near Islamabad.
Musharraf resigned on 18 August to avoid any melting situation that would endanger the nation more severely than now and further complicate the life of ordinary Pakistanis. It is said he resigned because of a messianic drive and less on account of an impeachment by the Pakistan People's Party-led ruling coalition.
The embattled Musharraf angered his countrymen by siding with the United States and killing Muslims in the country. Even the Lal Mosque tragedy occurred at the behest of both USA and perhaps China since Chinese women were involved in the incident. But Musharraf, though killing Muslims regularly, "disappointed" Washington by failing to be tougher with al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Pakistan's lawless northwest border region. He pledged support for democratic reforms in Pakistan, but before he could complete his mission he is forced out. A few Americans also say it was Musharraf's dictator-like actions that eventually unraveled his nearly decade-long rule. Bruce Riedel, a senior adviser to three presidents on Middle East and South Asian affairs said: "In the end, he also became the man who couldn't deliver. Bush was very slow to realize that he either had been had by Musharraf or that Musharraf was not up to the task. Historians will debate this for years."
Running for president, George W. Bush couldn't name the new leader of Pakistan. In November 1999, when Bush was running for the White House, a television reporter asked him whether he could name the general, who had seized power in a military coup the previous month. But Bush couldn't remember his name. A month after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Musharraf was standing with the now-President Bush at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, declaring Pakistan's unwavering support to fight with the United States against "terrorism in all its forms wherever it exists."
After the Sept. 11 attacks, Pervez Musharraf became a crucial but ultimately frustrating ally in the war against Islamic extremists. Bush and Musharraf got along from the start. They both saw themselves as straight shooters who didn't wring their hands over decision-making. Bush needed help catching and killing Muslim "terrorists", and he wooed Musharraf because the general had a reputation as someone who would bring stability to Pakistan. Musharraf curried Bush's favor to earn support from the ruling class in Pakistan that believed their nation's path was determined by "Allah, the Army - and America. Bush and Musharraf, who has had plenty of knowledge about the United States - his brother is a doctor in Chicago - struck up a workable friendship. Despite their rapport, theirs was an alliance of convenience. It wasn't a personal relationship, but Musharraf tried to play it, effectively, for domestic advantage.
Over time, Bush and Musharraf each suffered politically from their friendship. Bush was accused of looking the other way when Musharraf didn't play by the rules of "democratic" nations. "We pretty much played the Musharraf card - ad nauseam - eventually to Pakistan's detriment," said Rick Barton, a Pakistan expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The Pakistani leader's alliance earned him the unfriendly nickname of "Mush," which rhymes with "Bush." But some Pakistanis claim it was Musharraf's relationship with Washington that was to blame for many of the country's problems, including the rising tide of extremist attacks within Pakistan.
In November 2007, Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan, suspended the constitution and dismissed independent-minded judges as the Supreme Court was set to rule on the legality of his October 2007 election - a ballot that was boycotted by the opposition. Even then Bush's confidence in Musharraf did not crack. But with his resignation, it is becoming business as usual in gamut of US-Pakistan relations.
One does not know if Musharraf resigned on the advice of the Bush administration. Speculative exercise over the future of US-Pakistan ties would not reward any useful insights into that domain immediately.
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Thank you
Yours Sincerely,
DR.ABDUL RUFF Colachal
Researcher in International Affairs,
South Asia
Pakistan-Kashmir Relations
Recent political development inPaksitan has cast mixed reaction in Kashmir waiting for their indpendece form occupying India. A weakened Pakistan might not augur well for Kashmir casue effectivley. It is a plus point for Kashmiris that Pakistan's parliament this week set up a special committee to monitor alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir. Discoery of secret grave-yards inKahmir has sent out shivers across the Pakistan nation.
Kashmiris have reinvigorated their struggle for freedom and independence and notwithstanding the lose of lives, they continue to fight for their just cause. In all talks that Islamabad had with New Delhi Kashmir has been in the center of arguments and disagreements. In this regard, Pakistan should take the Kashmiris into full and complete confidence in whatever they do with regard to their future course including regaining sovereignty from occupying India.
Pakistan cannot be expected to change its policy for Kashmir and today said its policy on the Kashmir issue had not changed despite a war of words with India on situation in Jammu and Kashmir and that it remained committed to the peace process with the neighboring country. Foreign Office spokesman Sadiq said: "The government of Pakistan is fully committed to the peace process started four years ago." He also indicated that the resignation of former President Pervez Musharraf would have no impact on proposals mooted by him to resolve Kashmir issue.
However, Pakistan continues to keep the details of their discussions with occupier India, thereby giving room for confusion in Kashmir since Indian media always give wrong "news" about the outcomes of Indo-Pak talks. This leads to misinterpretations even among the patriotic freedom fighters in Kashmir.
It looks, India has taken Pakistan leaders for granted in keeping the "secrets" in tact and it make loud outcries when Pakistan makes some remarks on Indian state terrorism and economic terrorism in Kashmir . India has angrily rejected statements issued by Pakistani leaders and spokesmen on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir as a "clear interference" in its internal affairs. It has also asked Pakistan to desist from making such comments.
Pakistan should take the Kashmiri leaders into full confidence with regards to its dealings with India by informing them of the details of the discussions they had with Indians officially and other wise. Because, misunderstanding could spoil even the best relationships forged between Pakistanis and Kashmiris. India is quite eager to see a serious wedge developing in those historical bonds and neither Kashmiris nor Pakistanis should offer an easy entry for India into that cultural domain.
India, however, does not suffer form any illusions about any clear-cut misunderstanding between Pakistan and Kashmir any more now. The current uprisings by Kashmiris in Kashmir and the support they receive form Pakistani leaders amply testify that point beyond any doubt.
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Thank you
Yours Sincerely,
DR.ABDUL RUFF Colachal
Researcher in International Affairs,
South Asia
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