An ungrateful America under Trump

No sensible person in the chief executive’s post of the world’s sole superpower would have talked such garbage

After two decades or so of America’s China policy, with emphasis on blocking its membership of the United Nations and leaving it in isolation, Washington was desperately trying to find a bridge that could help it establish links with Beijing. After a hectic search and analysis, it pinned its hope on no one else but Pakistan.

Consequently, the regime in Islamabad headed by then president Yahya Khan was approached to help achieve the objective. The secret mission was accomplished after the Foreign Office had successfully persuaded its counterpart in Beijing to take up the issue with the hierarchy, conveying President Yahya Khan’s personal message. When all was set, two US diplomats secretly flew out to China by PIA to establish the link and negotiate the preliminaries. It was a world-class breakthrough and surely Pakistan deserved lifetime gratitude for the gesture.

US President Donald Trump, who loves to talk candidly and foolishly about all things under the sun, is most unlike his predecessors. Barack H Obama for one would not have even thought of such tomfoolery as Trump has. And the US leader has done it at a time when his country already stands isolated as shown by the recent voting in the UN General Assembly on the Palestinian issue. No sensible person in the chief executive’s post or the leader of the world’s sole superpower would have talked such garbage at least after being knocked out by the two most important international forums.

He could only speak in terms of the millions of dollars that his country had given to Pakistan under different heads without taking into account the thousands of casualties suffered by Pakistan as a result of toeing the US line in the region. The dollars he has talked about could not have compensated for the loss of even one Pakistani soldier or civilian. The Americans should not forget that the biggest favour Pakistan had rendered to Washington was the bridge provided for their links with the People’s Republic of China. How this gesture was appreciated and acknowledged by then president of the United States Richard Nixon is explained in a handwritten letter to President Yahya Khan, which said:

“I have already expressed my official appreciation for your assistance in arranging our contacts with the People’s Republic of China. Through this personal note I want you to know that without your personal assistance, this profound breakthrough in relations between the USA and the PRC would never have been accomplished.

“I wish you would extend my personal thanks to your ambassador in Washington and to your associates in Pakistan for their efficiency and discretion in handling the very sensitive arrangements.

“Those who want a more peaceful world in the generation to come will forever be in your debt. Dr [Henry] Kissinger joins me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude for the historic role you played during this very difficult period.”

Similarly, the Secretary of State Kissinger in his letter said: “I have so many reasons to thank you that it is difficult to know where to begin.

“First of all, there is the vital role that you played in establishing communications between us and the People’s Republic of China. Your initiative and discretion made possible the reliable and secure contacts that led to my visit and the president’s forthcoming trip. You were also well served. Mr President, by your representative hero. Ambassador Hilaly’s part in this operation vividly demonstrated why he has compiled so remarkable a diplomatic career.

“Then the skill, tact, and efficiency with which your officials carried out my secret mission were nothing short of brilliant. I hope you will pass on my deep appreciation, and that of the President, to all those who realised this venture, including some of your closest advisers. The military personnel who paved our way to and from the airport. And the captain and crew of your airplane. My colleagues and I were greatly moved by the historic nature of our flight and the care and warmth with which we were treated as we crossed some of the world’s highest mountains.

“Mr President, the deepest thanks go to you who led and orchestrated the entire enterprise. I shall always remember your generosity in our talks on July 8 when you insisted on setting aside the massive problems that your country faces and concentrating instead on my visit to Peking (Beijing). In addition, I enjoyed, and profited from, my too brief stay in Pakistan itself, the conversation we had, and the gracious Pakistan hospitality.

“Your efforts and those of your colleagues have made indelible contributions to my personal experience, the foreign policy objectives of the United States, and I believe the goal of peace in the world.”

That is the way to acknowledge one’s goodwill gestures but it all depends on the calibre and stature of a person and draw a line between sense and nonsense.

What the sitting president of the United States is uttering or doing gives the impression of a trump card instead of Donald Trump. A trump card is a secret weapon used in a critical situation to ensure that it would yield a positive result. Donald Trump’s penchant for irresponsible words and deeds suggests that somebody else is using this trump card to bring about a horrible disaster, not only in his own country but also globally.

Perhaps his mission is to achieve what had been done on somebody else’s behalf in the Soviet Union. In this scenario the happiest person should be Hillary Clinton. To vote a man like Donald Trump into the White House should set off an era of disgrace. There could be no worse choice perhaps, as explained by the long list of US presidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2018.

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