LAHORE: Iran is “an unreliable partner” and Pakistan should not engage in a gas pipeline deal with the country, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter said on Friday.
Making a deal with Iran would be a bad idea and Pakistan should work with Turkmenistan instead, the ambassador said while addressing students at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) Ambassador’s Forum. He added that a strong Pakistan was in the interests of the US.
This is not the first time the US has urged Pakistan not to sign power agreements with Iran. In September, the US went so far as to table the possibility of sanctions if Pakistan struck significant energy deals with Iran.
US assistance to Pakistan includes civilian and military aid, and civilian assistance has not been discontinued, even in the worst of times, Munter said. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the forum, Munter said the memogate scandal was Pakistan’s internal issue and the US would help in the investigation - if Pakistan wants.
It had earlier been reported that Turkmenistan had agreed with Pakistan on the price of gas it plans to send via an ambitious pipeline from its prospective natural gas fields through Afghanistan.
Turkmenistan, which sits on the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves, wants to build the trans-Afghan pipeline as part of its plans to diversify sales from its Soviet-era master Russia to energy-hungry markets in Asia and Europe. It aims to supply natural gas from its South Iolotan field, the world’s second-largest, to Pakistan and India. The idea of the pipeline, TAPI, was first raised in the mid-1990s, but construction has yet to begin.
Earlier this month, Pakistan and Turkmenistan initiated the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement, which took the $7.6 billion proposed TAPI project a step closer towards materialisation.
The proposed 1,700-kilometre pipeline could carry one trillion cubic metres of Turkmen gas over a 30-year period, which would work out at 33 billion cubic metres a year.
Pakistan faces chronic power shortages, and must urgently come up with solutions for its long-term gas requirements. The last major discoveries of gas fields were in the 1990s, though they were not enough to replace the depletion of much larger gas fields discovered in the 1950s.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 26th, 2011.
COMMENTS (93)
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the Islamic Pakistan is an independent and sovereign state. it should make all the decision in the greater interest of the country irrespective of the external influence and western interest . it is a fact that Pakistan is facing a serious energy power crises for last decay which has adversely effected all sector of the economy especially the manufacturing Industry. But The United State Of America has done nothing in one or other way to over come such problems. I think that Pakistan should prefer to Pak-Iran " Peace Pipeline " over "TAPI" because the Iran is a Muslim brother and neighbor country and 100 times more reliable than Uncle SAAM.
@Noman: Trade with every country where you benefit ...... trade is not like you are getting married trade when it is good for you. Shop keepers do not ask for your character certificate before selling you a product.
remind me...when was the last time Iran passed Presseler amendment ? or blocked pakistans water
lol , munter is enemy of pakisan
its long historical us policy, to force pakistan to be indian client state and form alliance against china
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.First think that when US leaders felt happiness and rejoice when Pakistani officials did any thing to boost up Pakistan's economy,self-reliance and sovereignty with any country especially with Iran and China and especially now how US officials can afford and bear any Pakistan's deal with Iran because USA is considering Iran its the biggest enemy because Iran is still resisting before USA and not bowing its knees before USA.This is why every deal between Pakistan and Iran is unacceptable for USA.
@SM: Easily said than done. When Ayub Khan signed a Biliateral Military Pact with the US. The country has been their client state since then. The economy as well as many other detrimental factors are linked with the US. That is one reason why Kaptaan's claims sound so hollow. "Kashkol nahin tuta". Dream on.
@Jadugar: You obvously did not get my point!!!! How will Pakistan sustain such infrastructure in absense of funds to maintain and service it, let alone be able to pay for the commodities concerned ??? What does my loans or bills have anything to do with this?? This country has manged to survive on IMF Loans and US AID for over a decade and that gravy train is about to come to hallt , so hwo are they going to fund their expenditure???? Its not going to be thru Taxation as hardly anyone pays any in the country!!!!
@ Hedgefunder: Try living in your house without paying your rent or Mortgage, I am sure that you wont be living in it for long or just dont pay your credit card bill and see how much the Banks trust you. Stop being a free loader, The only thing you dont pay for is your grave.
It does not have to be either or
When the 2% who matter in our country have properties, passports, green cards, bank balances, businesses, famalies etc in the US of A. Who do you think they will listen to ? Munter or the remaining 98% ?
The million dollar question do our leaders have the courage of deciding what is best for Pakistan? I have serious doubts!
How many people know the name of Pakistani ambassador to Iran, vs. the ambassador to the US? It only shows how much importance we give to the US vs. any other country. In the US not too many people know the name of US envoy to Pakistan, as it is not important for them.
The US and EU have been sending signals that contemplating fully sanctioning Iranian Central Bank, At that point, Pakistan would be forced to choice between doing business with Iran vs. US, EU, Canada and perhaps others. Pakistan can't afford to lose all these markets, but is able to buy oil/gas elsewhere. Munter friendly advice could be read to consider carefully the risk of investing money in an Iran - Pakistan pipeline at this time, as may not be practically usable until Iran makes changes to get out from under sanctions.
Also consider that explosions in Iran refineries and pipelines is up fivefold since 2010. Either they are having quality control problems under current sanctions or have been rather unlucky of late or acts of sabotage.
some morons have already said and proves why Pakistan is such a basket case. Muslim can be friends of muslims only...till mentality stays... Pakistan will be slave for US and also their new master China. Pakistan never had individual guts to build a nation and now we have al heroes telling the ambassador that he is wrong-as if these geniuses know the answer for why their nation is the terrorist haven.
@Ayaz Munir: may we know how realiable your natiuons leaders have been to your citizens. Afterall these crooks are from pakistan not imported from USA
@Asad: Pakistan is already a slave to a religion...it cannot be slave anymore. None but Pakistanis themselves bought their nation to this pathetic state
I attended this forum. Munter came across as a decent person to me. We need more of these student to diplomat interactions , as the youth are the future. And these interactions greatly resolve all biases one may hold against the other.
Sheesh, do any of you people posting negative statements actually read the articles first? He was asked a question at a forum he was invited to attend. He said America doesn't pressure Pakistan and that it's Pakistan's choice, and then gave the American opinion on Iran and India, which should surprise no one. .
I did a study for the Brookings Doha Center suggesting that the US should not interfere in the Iran pipeline project and there is enough demand to have both IPI and TAPI projects come through. http://bit.ly/9xUIml
I don't recall the US going back on anything they've promised you. It's your broken promises that bring on any and all of the hostility. Even with the republicans throwing insults like they are, the actual actions reflect that they're standing by what they've promised regardless of it. @Faizi: What about this has been hidden previously? It's how most of the world views Iran and it's reflected in their policies toward Iran. @Fahad: You have to actually do more than just say it for it to become true. I've never seen anything but talk out of anyone in Pakistan that wasn't making a death threat. ... The amount of replies I could still give is a headache with how silly the statements are. I'll just end it here by saying: none of you think straight. Iran is horribly shady and you'd have to agree if you dropped the wounded dog-pride act and actually looked at the situation as it is with most things they're involved in. Also, just like the policy regarding Palestine and the UNSC, as many other countries actually stand by their policies, negative effects will be automatically be put in place from more areas than the US. It's not news that they exist. If you still want to go ahead with Iran, have at it. Just don't complain afterwards.
For us all three are same hahahahahahah
Sorry Munter, Pakistani thinks just the opposite to your advise. And there is a history between India and Pakistan of 64 years behind it. You can not change it with your one statement. India always proved to be an enemy where as Iran had always demonstrated as a Good neighbor and no threat to Pakistan. Sorry, Your Proposal is plainly rejected by majority.
Plz pack up your bags and leave us alone. And take you agent AZ and RM with you.
i think USA government think entire Pakistan has mercenary mindset,
Pakistan should speed up the work on the gas pipeline from Iran! We should prove Munter wrong, he has no right to tell Pakistan what to do! Imagine Ms. Rehman telling the US that it should not take oil from Canada.
Iran has a pattern of closing the border and cutting off trade after a Pakistani Shia slaughter or after "strategic assets" from Pakistan happen to blow something up in Iran. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what is going to happen to your gas supply when something like that happens. If Pakistan wants to make money by being a conduit for gas it needs to pick a supplier who is more dependable. You may not like American's but there observations are spot on.
Mr. Munter is right to trade with India and about TAPI, although TAPI is not feasible because of situation in Afghanistan and as such is not a practical option. However he is very wrong about not trading with Iran.
Mr Munter we are trying on our own to improve our relations any help from your side will be counter- productive so please leave us alone.
India is more relaible than Iran. Need proof ? Even at the times of 4 wars India did not stop water flowing into Pakistan from it's border. With Iran? Does even Iran really trust Pakistan? NO.
@Roflcopter: but iran is not giving you billions in alms...!!!!
It would be good for her health if Pakistan heeds ambassador Munter's advise. There are few strong and rational reasons for not promoting business relationship with Iran, at least, not at this juncture. 1) The stringent sanctions that the west has imposed on Tehran and supported by vast majority of countries in the world, make it virtually impossible to do business with Iran. Many of you already know how it, recently, became extremely difficult for India to make oil import payments to Iran as banks and other financial entities refused to lend their services. With its enormous clout if India faced such a difficulty, then, you can easily imagine the fate of Pakistan. 2) No international financial institute is going to finance the IP project. Even the companies with expertise in gas pipeline would surely shun it. 3) Only a fool would advocate antagonizing the US at this critical moment in Pakistan's history where, according to the prominent economists, her economy is going to meltdown somewhere around late next year or early 2013, if another IMF loan is not sanctioned, which would not materialize if the US says no. 4) Pakistan is, almost, entirely dependent on western world for its exports. More than 65% of Pak exports go to the west including the United States. Apart from that, it is the foreign remittances that keep Pak economy afloat today which it mainly receives from the west. I can go on and give a dozen more reasons for not being jingoistic at the US, but, I think the above realities are enough for Pakistanis to wake up and start thinking logically.
It wasn't the Iranian who walked away from Pakistan after the Soviets withdrawal and left Pakistan holding the bag with 4 mil refugee. You could call Iran unreliably but Americans, you cannot be trusted. The Americas are known for changing their color if things don't suit them. I'd rather have a poor trust worthy friend (IRAN) then a rich back stabbing acquaintance
Open up with iran ,,,,india unreliable, says ahmed najdi
@Ans Awaus: i m fully agree with u ALL muslims is a brother ... US should b stop that compaign against iran
Don't shoot the messanger folks! Good relations with India are in the interest of over 1.5 Billions inhabitants of the Indian Sub Continent; of which over 500 millions are Muslims. This should not be dismissed because a US ambassador is saying so.
In regrards to Iran, US needs to understand that Pakistan can't afford to have hostile relations with Iran because of historical, cultural and religious links; same way as the US would not want to have hostile relations with Canada or Mexico. Pakistan is the future bridge, which the US may need in future to re-establish relationships with Iran.
Under sea pipeline Iran-India is the best bet, will America consider a pipeline through Cuba for that matter,so how can it expect that we would agree on pipeline coming through the territory of our arch nemesis.
That is really rich coming from Mr Munter.mother of all evils telling us not to trust that Country which has always stood by us. I have feeling that that present Regime will obey U S A orders as was the case with Raymond MURDER Davies and Hndread others.
Iran is our brother....muslims are brother .....GOv. should must partnership with iran not india...indian gov. (not people) can never be the frnd of PAKistan
@Fahad
Ameen to that..
This may well be an indicater for what the US future plans are for Iran.
Mr. Munter you were made wordless by Mr. Riaz Khokhar (ex Pakistani Amb to America) on the same issue on Hamid Mir's talk show. Nevertheless Iran is MUCH MUCH MUCH reliable than US...............
@Asad:
This is not a new thing, you have time and again you have proved to be subordinates of global power. Recent memo-gate issue is the pinnacle evidence for that. Now you are hired by Chinese, so please be little generous to your old bosses (USA).
On the other hand India never was and never will be slave of anybody, be it Russia or USA, It has its own path towards its interests. A recent evidence is India dumped US and Russia in aircraft deal.
Stand on your own you will get your well-deserved respect.
US should grow up. This babbling doesn't suit them, they should act their age.
Look who's talking!
America will never let us live in peace. Perhaps we should talk to the Mexicans about crashing that southern flank after all.
the ambassador is funny and crossing his limits publically. its pakistan who will decide whom they want to have friendship or relations. they are mature and they understand the politics. let them make their choice.
@Fahad:
Indeed it is going to be! But Pakistan is not going to be anywhere near it until, it changes its fundamentalist religious attitudes, put an end to training and exporting terrorism and learn to exist peacefully with its neighbors.
Your current policy or lack of one of coddling with international bad boys such as China and Iran is not going to help much in your Asian Century Pursuit. May be Pakistan as nation should evaluate its self importance, grandiosity, false sense pride, etc.
What you do not seem to understand is, neither Pakistan, or Iran has the money or technology to pull it off. You may say China has both but the reality is they don’t when it comes to building pipelines. Besides, unless you get your religious fanaticism, minority rights taken care, someone is blow it up so, the ambassador is correct in saying it is waste of money but, you people won’t understand it since you all are experts in wasting money. You folks spend billions on nuclear weapons while the country went to hell-in-a hand-basket!
Yep, nuclear weapons are protecting you from India attacking and taking over, please, come up with another ridiculous excuse.
Ain't none of your business whom we deal with, Mr. Ambassador...
@Genius:
Strangely, you know more than Obama himself !!
Pot calling the kettle black!
so are you Mr America, why should we listen to you...
@Asad: We don't need a block,just trade and energy for our country.
USA is the Most Untrusted nation, it is always in the verge of finishing Islamic Nations.
Lol, all Desi liberals in hiding when the true face of US becomes visible in a news item. Where are you all liberal fascists of Pakistan, come back and defend Mr. Munter's statements. We poor patriots are waiting for your intellectual advice.
I have some words of advice for the American ambassodor but I know for sure that the ET moderators won't let them through.
Desperately waiting for Indian trolls
A reliable partner is one that is caught hosting OBL:)
@Ejaz Butt: "Pakistan is 3rd progressive economy in Asia"
Japan
China
Pakistan
.Right?:)
Iran is far more reliable than US
Some one get Mr. Munter to read this comment page. He will realise how much People like US !
I would like to hear John's comment on this.........are you there John?
CIA finalizing false flag SAM attacks as pretext for war with Iran. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned the U.S. and Israel against an attack on Iran, cautioning that such a move would mean “a very serious mistake”. Russia warned the U.S. because Russian intelligence knows that the CIA is finalizing preparations for multiple false flag attacks against the United States. The CIA is reportedly going to use SA-7 shoulder-fired, low-altitude surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), that the CIA smuggled out of Libya and into the United States, against both civilian and U.S. government aircraft. Russian intelligence indicates that the United States government has authorized Israel to launch an attack against Iran immediately following multiple false flag SAM attacks in the U.S. Unbeknownst to Barack Hussein Obama is that the CIA will be targeting him.
US is the most reliable !!
Mr. munter are you here to judge who is reliable and who is unreliable???
Unreliable partner? Pot calling the kettle black?!
Mr Munter is has a poor understanding of diplomacy..........decline of U.S is very much underway!!!
Pakistan must maintain good relations with all its neighbours especially Iran.
Iran is not a Reliable partner, May I know how much reliable US is for us.
Ahaan ! USA is the most trusted partner in the world?
@Ghaznavi: This comment sums it all!
Hohohoho! Look who's talking!!! hahahahahahahahahah
Look Mr. Cameron Munter, do you know we can tell with our own experience that America is the most unreliable friend. So don't talk about Iran or any other country, just DO MORE to improve your own credibility and performance.
Why not keep both options open ?
This is a typical example of Amercian Administration members meddling in other countries affaris. The US has supplied India the Civil Nuclear Technology to produce electricity and so on but never did any similar deal with Pakistan. Pakistan has done an absolutely right decision by entering into a gas pipline deal with it's neighbouring Iran. Pakistan is 3rd progressive economy in Asia and this deal will definitely accellerate it's prgress to boost it's economy.
CIA finalizing false flag SAM attacks as pretext for war with Iran. For full story vist: http://www.iraqwar.mirror-world.ru/article/260882
True Face Of US
This is the hidden face of the US … !!! __ !!! …
Why Iran is an unreliable partner and why USA is always a reliable partner, I don’t understand that? What is the problem?
More reliable than you!
an advice..or an ordeR?
Thats good. Now we can know what Americans want and then assess our government what it does? But that decision is for Pakistan to make, Mr Munter please.
Mr. Ambassador, at least it will MORE reliable partner than the US
Imperialist Americans We don't want to import gas via India controlled Afghanistan . Afghanistan is a mess it's not safe. If the is I keen it should build the pipelines at us tax payers expense and not ask Pakistan to fund it via debt
Iran is a strategic ally for a Pakistan . A strong iran is a strong Pakistan
Who are the US to tell Pakistan who to work with and who not to work with? Do they think we are their slaves? Pakistan will work with countries based on its national interest, and if working with Iran is in Pakistan's national nterest, then the US will have to digest that as a bitter pill. Its time Pakistan made a bloc with China and Iran for mutual trade and mutual defence.
US needs to understand that this is going to be the ASIAN Century. Pakistan can be a major player in the energy/trade transits, Irani gas can cross Pakistan towards India/China, the goods/energy from Central Asia can transit through/ Pakistani ports (vice versa) which will increase partnership with everyone around us and also will guarantee financial and strategic stability for Pakistan. Having China,Russia,Iran,Central Asian countries and even India on one's side is the guarantee for a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
You go warring out with other countries to get oil and gas, we are just having a deal with our neighbor, sheesh.