| |
US has no short term interest in Pakistan
Amanullah Khan
Karachi—Anne W. Patterson, the US Ambassador to Pakistan has said
that the United States has no short term interest in Pakistan and
people have to understand the mutual interests of the two countries.
Speaking at a seminar on “Pak-US relations—present-past and future,
organized by the Management Association of Pakistan here Thursday,
the US diplomat said some of the critics believe that the United
States has only a short-term interest in Pakistan as we seek
cooperation in the war against terror.
Over the past 60 years, the political relationship between our
countries has been closer at some times than at others. This is
normal between allies. It certainly does not indicate that either of
us can or should ignore the other.
The scope and scale of our investments in Pakistan ‘s future should
serve as indications that the United States is taking a long-term
view of relationship. The United States wants to see Pakistan make
progress toward the goals it has set for itself. And the United
States is uniquely positioned to help as the biggest single
investor, the largest market, the largest source of remittances, and
the largest donor. When her attention was drawn towards limited
access of Pakistan products in the US market, she attributed it to
economic issues being faced by the US market.
Anne Patterson said projects and partnerships under way show what
U.S. foreign policy looks like in practice. When asked about the
change in the US policy with the change of Bush Administration by
January 2009, she remarked that US policies are not affected with
the change of the government.
“The tens of thousands of Pakistanis, who visit the United States
every year, whether for business or pleasure, make a major
contribution to mutual understanding between the two countries. The
Nazim of Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal, during a two-week visit to the
United States met with his counterparts in Washington, D.C.,
Chicago, Houston, and New York, and shared ideas that we hope will
lead to future partnerships and cooperation.”
Elaborating the American objectives in Pakistan, she said American
taxpayer expects to implement policies that support a stable,
democratic, and prosperous Pakistan that is in a position to combat
the growing danger of militant extremism. “To fulfil these
expectations, we both have to find innovative ways to maximize our
resources and maintain accountability. The US embassy try to find
time to think strategically about the long-term U.S.-Pakistan
relationship and to identify the resources and personnel it will
take to reach our goals.”
She pointed out that Pakistan was now the third-largest recipient of
U.S. assistance in the world. Our objective in providing this
assistance is simple and clear.
|
