Wednesday, May 14, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429    

Friends not masters

Ehtisham Amir

A famous saying goes in diplomatic circles that “No coup de tate can occur in USA since there is no US embassy in Washington”. It reflects the attitude and intriguing behavior of American diplomatic staff globally. It also reflects the insatiable desire of Americans to shape domestic polity of other countries for their so called “national interests”. Sovereignty, independence and non-interference in internal matters of other countries, though enshrined in UNO’s Charter, hold no value to Americans. They are prisoners of their parochial, topsy turvy view of the world in which everything else has no value once pitched against their interests.
America has long history of interfering in internal matters of sovereign and independent nations. They have sacrificed glorious principles of UN Charter on the altar of their, mostly, commercial interests. All regions of the world bear the footprints of American high-handedness and pursuance of their narrowly defined “interests”. Although “there are no permanent friends or foes in interstate relations but only interests”, but such adages have been severely abused by Americans up to obscene limits.
Recently, the US ambassador to Pakistan expressed her views which are nothing but inflammatory and have caused indignation to Pakistani nation. She reportedly expressed her concern that despite being third largest US aid recipient, Pakistani masses harbor anti-American sentiments. She also commented in most undiplomatic manner about the “desired” continuation of incumbent president for his full term. How does Pakistan govern itself should not be a matter of concern to anyone, let alone the USA. Who occupies which office of the state structure should not be commented by foreign diplomats. And before she comments “US Aid” and kind of “ungrateful” attitude and behavior of Pakistani people, she is better advised to look deeper than skin to find answers.
Pakistan had been under American sanctions under one pretext or the other since 1965. We have experienced one of the most immoral sanctions on nuclear issue. Israel whose incumbent prime minister has confessed of possessing nuclear weapons, is left scot free and instead receives the heaviest grants, loans and aid. But once it comes to allegedly “Islamic” bomb, we are singled out. India detonated the bomb first, we only followed the suit, but it is offered “strategic nuclear” partnership, practically repealing NPT.. New Delhi is offered concessions which have raised concerns among most members of the Nuclear Supply Group (NSG). Should the US ambassador be not advised to take stock of such American acts against Pakistani interests before commenting on simmering anti-American sentiments?
Whatever ‘Aid or assistance’ has been provided to Pakistan since 9/11 was due to Pakistan’s acceptance of US stance on Global War on Terror (GWOT). We are suffering incalculable losses in terms of men, material and most notably in realm a national integration and sovereignty. There is no ‘aid’ which can compensate for what have been our losses. Pakistan has been a victim of barrage of terrorist acts across its length and width due to involvement in GWOT. Moreover, various US government officials voice highly disturbing and undesirable remarks about direct attacks on alleged terrorist camps within Pakistani territory without consent of Pakistani government. Should Pakistani people take such diplomatic nonsense hands down? No people worth their name can bear such humiliation. Americans are perhaps hostage of their corporate culture where everything has a ‘price’ and even humans are treated as a ‘commodity’. One does not need to be a rocket scientist to explore the reasons of this obscene American mindset. History bears testimony to it so loudly.. It were ancestors of the modern America who promoted slavery and human trade. It cost former US president Abraham Lincoln his life to abolish slavery. Americans fought a bitter civil war in 1861-65, primarily on the issue of retaining or abolishing slavery since southern states of the USA, being agro-centric wanted slaves as labour in their farms. That’s how mightiest nation of today is morally constituted. No wonder if they treat humans as a sellable commodity.
But Pakistanis have different moral fibers. They would want to be treated on equal basis. We did not plead for US aid to fight GWOT. It was the USA which wanted its global designs and goals to be met at any cost. Since 1990, year of notorious Pressler Amendment, we had started to learn to stand on our own feet. Before the ambassador in question tells us how and who should govern Pakistan, she better looks at her own house first. A presidential candidate is being abused for his “links and roots” with Muslims. Is this “plural, secular” democracy the Americans so fondly propagate? World hasn’t forgotten circus of democracy conducted in the US in 2000 elections. World also remembers that it took Martin Luther Junior his life to get Blacks to cast votes and allow a semblance of equal citizenship.
We may have weak democratic institution. We may have unenviable democratic record. But we are fully capable to charter a course for ourselves. After all, we did not get American ‘aid’ to create Pakistan nor were we “funded or assisted” by USA to develop nuclear weapons. America must learn to respect other nations and their cultural and civilization sensitivities more often. Human ego and self respect are not a commodity which can be traded for few pennies which was aptly described by former president Zia-ul-Haq as “peanuts”.
If there are strong anti-American sentiments among Pakistani people, it is not without substantial reason. Though Americans have finally confirmed the cancellation of appointing notorious Maj Gen Hood in Pakistan, yet this decision was only taken after sever uproar in media and public rallies. Why is it that the USA always acts so innocently against the wishes of host nation? They claim to have best intelligence gathering apparatus in the world. Why is USA unable to gauge collective sentiments or emotions of nation? Is it by default or by design? Maybe both are true. How else US invasion of Iraq can be explained? Iraqis initially welcomed the US troops as ‘liberators’ but subsequently turned hostile towards them when they found that most of Iraqi symbols of pride were deliberately being desecrated by American troops. Baghdad museum has lost more than 80% of their artifacts in the wake of invasion. It is collective loss of human race and history. But one does not find any remorse or qualm displayed by Americans except for lip service.
Afghanistan is no different. US jets have dropped bombs on wedding congregations. Innocent civilians have been killed during various aerial and ground attacks. Yet again, no US solider or superior officer has been indicted of war crimes. Abu Ghuraib has meted a sever blow to high moral and training standards of American soldiers. All inhumane and cruel interrogation methods were authorized by no less than the then defence secretary Rumsfeld. US soldiers have been found guilty of rape, arson, cold blooded murder, fake encounters – list is endless. It is so surprising that USA still preaches morality, principles and human rights.
But we should salute their one very good quality which is diminishing in contemporary world. They treat every nation on equal platform and their ridicule of foreign cultures and sensitivities is not Muslim-specific. Many US soldiers have been found guilty of raping Japanese girls since past 50 years. Vietnam still has a generation of “Son of Gun”. Hats off to Americans! Madam Ambassador should refrain from digressing from her diplomatic assignment. She should not assume the ‘viceroy’ status. Pakistan is an independent, sovereign country. The Ambassador must avoid creating unnecessary ripples through her most unpleasant and undiplomatic statements.