Although a spate of events has given rise to mutual distrust, there is recognition in both Pakistan and the United States that the two countries need each other, said Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani.
In an interview with Washington’s WTOP radio, Haqqani also sought understanding of Islamabad’s perspective in the United States. He noted that two incidents this year – a unilateral US raid on Osama bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad and the killing of two Pakistanis by CIA contractor Raymond Davis - have particularly led to a negative image of the US among Pakistanis.
“When the Americans come into Pakistan in a military fashion, unilaterally with guns blazing, essentially they are creating fear amongst the populous, which instead of looking upon them as friends starts being suspicious,” he said.
“There are enough suspicions about the US in Pakistan already,” said Haqqani. “There is a lot of negativity, which the US needs to fight to change public opinion and win over hearts and minds, but in a circumstance like that, to do something like this, results in more negativity.”
According to Haqqani, that too was handled in a careless manner by the US.
Haqqani said: “Pakistanis continue to see America as a fickle ally. The Americans continue to doubt Pakistan’s commitment in eliminating all forms of terrorism from our soil. But underneath it all there is also recognition that both countries need each other.”
While critical of the US handling of certain elements of the relationship, Haqqani praised Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, calling her “an American with an understanding of the world that is unusually brilliant.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 9th, 2011.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Amir:
Which is presumably why India was admitted into the G20. Or would you rather things were done the atheistic communist command comntrol way as they do things in China, where Muslim agitators were promptly taken out and shot in Xinjiang even though they were capable of being taken into custody for a trial.
India may be slow and cumbersome but it has the integrity to let people pray to whom they wish and it does not flood sensitive territories such as Kashmir in contrast with Muslim Xinjiang (East Turkistan) and Tibet where the locals will soon be strangers.
I often wish that China did in fact take over more muslim states. If there is one way to render Islam neutral its to let the Han flood ithem and then neutralise the local ethnics.
@BruteForce: Emerging power India?
'More poor' in India than Africa
Eight Indian states account for more poor people than in the 26 poorest African countries combined, a new measure of global poverty has found.
The Indian states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, have 421 million "poor" people, the study found.
This is more than the 410 million poor in the poorest African countries, it said
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10609407
‘Pakistan, US need each other:’ Haqqani
Like Petrol needs a match!
@Malik: Most of you are against USA and yet offer so much to them. "Is there a physicist in the house"?
sweet. delusion is. !!!!
It is Haqqani and his likes in Zardari govt and establishment who need US. The common man and the public never benefited from this master slave relationship.
Haqqani living in US since 2002. Way before his appointment. I would question his close proximity to US establishment and whether he actually has Pakistan interest at heart.
Read his work @ Hudson Institute to see how his views are in line with US
'Pakistan, US need each other:' Haqqani
Well reading this the scene of Anjuman (Pakistan) jumping in fields and prancing around trees calling for Sultan Rahi's (Amreeka) attention and love came to my mind.
Damn. This ramadan is definitely having an affect on me.
Wrong Haqqani. Pakistan doesn't need US its only You, Zardari & the govt who need US to fill your infinite belly with dollars.
@malik:
Stop deluding yourself.
1) Its not going well with Pakistan's "help" anyway. So, your 1st argument goes down the drain.
2) Why does it need access after it withdraws from Afghanistan? What leverage Pakistan will possibly have over the US after 2014? What stops the US from sanctioning the heck out of Pakistan?
3) How? Why? Pakistan is a gateway to the hell of Afghanistan. Why would any Super Power aspire to use Pakistani Territory to go into a volatile region full of Islamic nutcases?
4) Haha! Really! US is going to take the help of a nation that is not considered big enough to be even included into G20 and is considered the 12th most failed state? Or, wouldn't it make sense for the US to make friends with both India and China and trade than rely on a unreliable, unstable and caught in a vicious cycle of Terrorism.
5) What rubbish! The day Pakistan does anything of the sort China will stop all military supplies and I doubt US will prefer Pakistan over an emerging Super Power like India.
The gun runner from Karachi University is brown nosing again.
Actually, the US needs Pakistan more than Pak needs US due to the following reasons:
1.) US cannot win the war on terror without Pak's help. 2.) US needs access of warm water seas of Pakistan. 3.) Pak's unique geographical position offers great advantage for any aspiring super power. 4.) Without Pak's help, US cannot checkmate the progress of China and India that are likely to challenge the US in coming days. 5.) Pak's control of its seas will help US in increasing their naval superiority.