Is foreign ‘concern’ over a domestic issue warranted?
US envoy’s statement on Karachi violence termed a violation of diplomatic norms.
ISLAMABAD:
The United States Embassy on Friday expressed ‘deep concern’ over the ongoing bloodshed in Karachi and urged the parties involved to refrain from further violence.
The unusual statement issued by US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter commenting on a domestic issue is contrary to diplomatic norms.
Opposition parties have immediately termed the American envoy’s remarks as ‘interference’ in the internal affairs of the country.
While involvement of the US in Pakistan’s domestic affairs is widely speculated, a public statement issued on such matters is rare.
“The United States Embassy is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Karachi. We call on all parties to refrain from further violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of differences,” said Ambassador Munter.
“The loss of over 60 lives, including women and children, in the last three days is a tragedy. We extend condolences to the families and friends of the innocent victims,” he added.
Repeated efforts to reach the foreign ministry spokesperson on telephone were futile as she did not respond to phone calls.
Violation of diplomatic norms
A government official, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that Munter’s statement was clearly in violation of diplomatic norms.
The US embassy has issued statements condemning suicide bombings and other acts of sabotage in Pakistan on a number of occasions in the past but the statement on Karachi’s situation is a first of its kind by the American envoy, the official added.
“Ambassador Munter has not only expressed concern over the killings in Karachi but has also asked the parties involved to refrain from further violence – that has never been the case before,” he said.
“He is not supposed to issue such statements.”
The official, however, was not sure if the issue would be taken up with the US embassy.
The US embassy spokesperson tried to downplay it.
“Anytime there is a loss of life, we do express our concerns,” said Courtney Beale.
‘Interference’ in domestic affairs
The statement has drawn strong reaction from the political parties.
“Such statements are unwarranted,” said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Pervaiz Rashid.
He said the entire nation, including the government, is responsible for the failure to take care of its own affairs which has provided an opportunity to outsiders to interfere in domestic affairs.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2011.
The United States Embassy on Friday expressed ‘deep concern’ over the ongoing bloodshed in Karachi and urged the parties involved to refrain from further violence.
The unusual statement issued by US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter commenting on a domestic issue is contrary to diplomatic norms.
Opposition parties have immediately termed the American envoy’s remarks as ‘interference’ in the internal affairs of the country.
While involvement of the US in Pakistan’s domestic affairs is widely speculated, a public statement issued on such matters is rare.
“The United States Embassy is deeply concerned about the escalating violence in Karachi. We call on all parties to refrain from further violence and work towards a peaceful resolution of differences,” said Ambassador Munter.
“The loss of over 60 lives, including women and children, in the last three days is a tragedy. We extend condolences to the families and friends of the innocent victims,” he added.
Repeated efforts to reach the foreign ministry spokesperson on telephone were futile as she did not respond to phone calls.
Violation of diplomatic norms
A government official, who requested anonymity, acknowledged that Munter’s statement was clearly in violation of diplomatic norms.
The US embassy has issued statements condemning suicide bombings and other acts of sabotage in Pakistan on a number of occasions in the past but the statement on Karachi’s situation is a first of its kind by the American envoy, the official added.
“Ambassador Munter has not only expressed concern over the killings in Karachi but has also asked the parties involved to refrain from further violence – that has never been the case before,” he said.
“He is not supposed to issue such statements.”
The official, however, was not sure if the issue would be taken up with the US embassy.
The US embassy spokesperson tried to downplay it.
“Anytime there is a loss of life, we do express our concerns,” said Courtney Beale.
‘Interference’ in domestic affairs
The statement has drawn strong reaction from the political parties.
“Such statements are unwarranted,” said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Pervaiz Rashid.
He said the entire nation, including the government, is responsible for the failure to take care of its own affairs which has provided an opportunity to outsiders to interfere in domestic affairs.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2011.