WASHINGTON: Pakistan took a lot of criticism in Saturday's Republican US presidential debate, with a leading candidate saying it was nearly a failed state and another suggesting the United States cut its foreign aid to zero.
But it is unclear whether any of their ideas is likely to be imposed on a country that has nuclear weapons and whose cooperation is seen as vital to stabilising Afghanistan as the United States prepares to pull out from there by the end of 2014.
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney said Pakistan has multiple centers of power including the relatively weak civilian leadership, the military and the powerful intelligence agency known as the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate.
"The right way to deal with Pakistan is to recognise that Pakistan is not a country, like other countries, with a strong political center that you can go to and say, 'Gee, can we come here, will you take care of this problem?'" Romney said.
"This is instead a nation which is close to being a failed state. I hope it doesn't reach that point, but it's really a fragile nation," he said.
Polls point to Romney as the Republican who would be the most likely among the party's crop of candidates to defeat President Barack Obama, a Democrat, in the November 2012 US presidential election. The Republicans begin choosing their nominee in state contests beginning in January.
Texas Governor Rick Perry suggested that every country, including Pakistan, should see its US aid eliminated each year and then should convince the United States why it deserves any money at all.
"Then we'll have a conversation in this country about whether or not a penny of our taxpayer dollars needs to go into those countries," Perry said in response to a question about whether Islamabad was playing a double game with Washington.
"Pakistan is clearly sending us messages ... that they don't deserve our foreign aid ... because they're not being honest with us," he added.
"American soldiers' lives are being put at jeopardy because of that country ... and it's time for us as a country to say no to foreign aid to countries that don't support the United States of America," he said.
'Friend or foe'
Businessman Herman Cain had difficulty offering a direct response when asked whether Pakistan was ultimately an ally or adversary. "There isn't a clear answer as to whether or not Pakistan is a friend or foe," Cain said."
US officials have long argued that the Taliban and other militants enjoy safe havens in Pakistan from which they attack US soldiers in neighbouring Afghanistan.
They privately argue Pakistan plays a double game, taking billions of dollars in US aid while elements of its government tolerate militant groups such as the Haqqani network blamed for a September attack on the US embassy in Kabul.
Pakistan says it has made more sacrifices than any other country in the war against militancy, losing about 10,000 members of its military and security forces.
There have been growing questions in Washington about whether US troops should to go after Taliban safe havens in Pakistan, an idea sure to be deeply unpopular in a population already embittered by US drone strikes.
Some Republican candidates argued that the United States has little choice but to nurture relations with Pakistan, citing the fact that it has nuclear arms and that it has to be part of the solution in Afghanistan.
"Pakistan must be a friend of the United States for the reason that Michele (Bachmann) outlined. Pakistan is a nuclear power," said former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, referring to fellow Republican candidate Bachmann.
"It's important for us, with a nuclear power with a very vast number of people in Pakistan who are radicalizing, that we keep a solid and stable relationship and work through our difficulties," he added.
COMMENTS (86)
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The US aid ultimately benefits US.. so yes the people of Pakistan don't want and don't need US aid, which they want us to believe is their bargaining tool with us.. we want a free and sovereign Pakistan, and for US to get out of our country and stop meddling in our affairs! Osama is dead, war on terror is over...get over it US!
@VINOD: What do u mean by saying "we flaut the weapons" , every other person is speaking about Pakistans nuclear asstes, so thats why its significance has increased alot & they are being mentioned in our articles, secondly As I said again review the articles of last few days , u will find out we have not been saying that Indian army is our ARch rival but promoting the MFN status thing , if we really hated u or had inferiority complex we would have criticized u in those articles as those with inferiority complex always criticiza the one from whom they have the complex. Pls , kindly stop using such words like "Inferiority complex" & encourage Indo-Pak relations. May God make u realize the truth brother
@Ayaz Munir: Dear Ayaz you said "It never is inferiority complex. Maybe you are not aware of the fact that the whole world speaks about Pakistans nuclear assets alot' Sir, are you aware that every one talks in a negative manner as they are worried about these neuclear weapon falling in the hands of terror groups. But you flaunt these weapons." Next you have said "u think we call ur army as our arch rival. Brother just go to the articles of the last few days & see the praising of the Indo-Pak relations as a result of the MFN status given to ur country." Now you are flaunting and blowing the issue of MFN out of proportions. It is no favour being granted as it is in the interest of both the countries. Don't you think in Pakistan every normal thing becomes over dramatic and hyper. Why Sir Why ? "Hope u will understand what the truth is" Inferiority complex.
@Me Tarzan: “Pakistan says it wants Trade not Aid!"
In trade, there is either import or export. Import is Pakistan pays and other countries sells. Export to USA means competion with other countries like China, Vietnam, Phillipines, India, Bangaldesh on quality, consistency, price etc. When we say Trade, we need to earn that. No one will give you just like that.
@csmann: Mannji, please go get bashed elsewhere. We're not interested.
@Neither Friend Nor Foe: Finally one day you will be consumed by your own nuclear weapons and arch enemies will not have to move a little finger. If you sow the wind you reap the whirlwind.
@Noon Meem: @Nawaz Ansari: Like true to yourself You all ways stuck to one super power after another.
@Jack: The dole has been gifted to your stooges Jacky baby which finds its way back into your banks and when its time to bring in a new stooge the aid and a little more gets all conveniently taken back. Hoosni Muabark $ 30 B and Qadafi $ 70 B. And in any case West needs more dole than anyone else now. Lest you forget, think Italy, Greece, France, UK and never to forget Excited states of America.
@zalim singh: Whatever happened to Khalistan, hahah. Until then save advice and keep giving yourself aggressive names. They don't cost nothing anyway.
@baljinder singh: Sardarjji! Living up to your image, papaji? Do your maths first. Pakistan spent 10 times more from its own pocket. What are you talking about?!
Have you watched their debates? None of those clowns knows what they are talking about. Don't worry about them. Obama is going to crush them. Iis surprising the Republicans can't come up with a high caliber candidate!
Guys US visa is available for all, any takers please line up!
@KiJ: so does America -------- terrorism industry in pakistan have contribuited so much its national income that if wants every pakis can live millionairs life
Jealous of Pakistan. These republicans are blatantly jealous of Pakistan's smartness. We too good for these yanks. We too hot to be challenged, We so nice, our presence, is like double penetration into the American Consciousness. By the way Pakistani's are not as dumb as Arabs, maybe this is where Repubs get confused.
@Me Tarzan:
"“Pakistan says it wants Trade not Aid!"
That is just Pakistani euphemism for even more free dollars.
@Jack Hey, Jack, listen up Well, you just cannot compare apples with oranges I mean in terms of Pak-US and Sino-Pak relations these two are totally different ball games. On the contrary to all weather Pakistan-China friendship the US has always been there for self-interest and to take advantage of Pakistan, whether you like it or not that is the bitter truth. Get it straight. Since 9/11, Pakistan has received only about $448 million net in economic assistance. The Economic Survey of Pakistan says that the costs Pakistan has incurred on America’s lost ‘War on Terror’ are $70 billion. Deduct our external debt from $70 billion and we would have a billion or two left over, which the US should pay. Sad was the day we decided to help this multi-bankrupt country. Yet propagandists and conspiracy theorists in the US corporate media (with their Pakistani poodles yapping in tandem) keep peddling the myth of the “enormous” American aid to Pakistan since 9/11. Figures vary wildly from $10 to 20 billion. This is perception management at its best. If US civilian assistance is completely withdrawn, it will only have an impact of 0.14 percent on Pakistan’s GDP growth.” Calculations were based on gross aid, 40 percent of which goes to American ‘consultants’. These are conservative estimates compared with how US aid is being spent in Iraq and Afghanistan, where more than 60 percent of the money remains with American ‘contractors’ and ‘consultants’. P.S. You better do some extensive reading before making above claims.
America is desperate because of the economic down-slide.
With talks of US attack on Iran on the table (through Israel or direct), one thing is quite certain that China is going to be be the next super power, at a faster pace than earlier projected.
USA can take back its aid. The only effect it will have is that a few thousand employees working on ridiculously higher positions in dubious NGOs will lose their jobs, some politicians will lose their kick-backs. The ordinary people will not suffer to a great extent.
Already, Saudi Arabia is one of the largest aid-providers,along with Turkey, Japan and China.
The sounder minds in the Pakistani policy-arenas shall focus at the obvious, i.e. increasing disaster resilience, through investment in preparedness and mitigation activities. Japan is the obvious world leader in this field. Working with them seriously can make our communities resilient and decrease our aid-dependency to a very large extent.
The Pakistani military shall stop investing our money in purchase/manufacturing of weapons that are never to be used.
These two steps will make us an independent country, in the real sense, systematically and logically, giving an answer to those who doubt our existence.
Let's focus on our selves, instead of paying heed to these presidential wannabes.
russian aid built pakistan steel mills, chinese aid built korakuram highway, gawader etc. Japanese aid helped build indus highway, can any one mention one school, road, bridge, industry that was built with american aid? All american aid was just a bribe to generals and zardaris to stay loyal to US.
I have always said that the next US admin is going to be very different in their opinion of Pakistan, and this Aid Gravy Train is going to stop ! So time that Pakistan start planning their self survival and stop their hair brain schemes and ideas across the borders and start dealing with issues internal, which are not small either !!!!
@Nawaz Ansari:
Remember Shehzad Saleem. The journalist killed for his expose of .....
The American presidential debate is meaningless for us. We must take our destiny in our own hands. Taking foriegn aid makes us beggars. People treat beggars badly.
Pity that a nation that has such intelligent people has come to this.
Friends or foes, the answer is both.
@Mj: It ill behoves citizens of the Islamic Republic and "Land of the Pure" to talk about religious fundies in the United States. First sort out the terrorist and religious fundamentalists in Pakistan before talking about religious people in other countries.
@Silk Road: Hi - regardless of my nationality, I think one thing that both countries have in common is a strong democracy. India, despite housing 50% of the world's poor and decades of regressive fiscal policies, has a higher GDP per capita than Pakistan, higher literacy rate, higher life expectancy, lower infant mortality. I am sure there are still many issues that they need to fix, but at least they don't expect US or China to help them in solving their problems. And as far as the US is concerned, the current crisis is temporary and they will bounce back. People (I saw a comment on this forum - hence the response) do not realize that the reason that US is in debt to China is because China could not find a safer place to park all the money that it earns by maintaining a favorable balance of trade through an artificially devalued renminbi. That is not going change in the near future - and so China has the biggest stake in a strong US. And where is Pakistan in this story? You know the answer.
@VINOD: u said
It never is inferiority complex. Maybe you are not aware of the fact that the whole world speaks about Pakistans nuclear assets alot thats why information regarding this is kept , even recently a US senator also spoke on Pakistans nuclear asste & u think we call ur army as our arch rival. Brother just go to the articles of the last few days & see the praising of the Indo-Pak relations as a result of the MFN status given to ur country. Hope u will understand what the truth is
wakr up and smell coffee, pakistan.
America gives us aid & demands such things in return from us things that have nearly killed us
I wonder whether this is aid or poison.
"Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich said at the Republican presidential debate here Saturday night that they would be willing to go to war to keep Iran from attaining nuclear weapons if all other strategies failed"
Why no one asked at GOP; Why Americans are so "obsessed" with war and Iran. Almost threatening this nation every day. Iran has never threaten US so what is a point?
@Jack: Thanks for the advice but if you are an American we know how much life has improved in your country since Obama has taken over and if you are an Indian I don't need to waste time here. Just read the latest UN report on South Asia.
@Neither Friend Nor Foe: haha haha haha....
Please please, Americans, cut our aid and stop feeding the corrupt politicians.. please..
@John B: Are you being paid by the Pakistan Government or you are giving free unwanted advices? Why don't you spare your time to your own country.
@Nawaz Ansari: That would be an acceptable argument if you had taken aid for the first time during this so-called war on terror. But you guys have been on the dole since independence - one excuse after another. And the reason is that you always wanted to be more powerful than you deserved to be by banking on you big friends - first the US, and now China. You never focused on how to improve the lot of your citizens - which is what counts.
@Nawaz Ansari:And without your vote sure he will loose election.
It is strange that in Pakistan all articles and press reports invariably have two prominent sentences; "country that has nuclear weapons: " and "India the arch enemy / rival" I laugh every time I read these. No other country in the world is so worried to flaunt their nuclear weapons or their enmity. Is it not a sign of inferiority complex?
‘Gee, can we come here, will you take care of this problem?’” Romney said.
Please do not think of coming here and solve your problems that are haunting you at home. We are a State and an independant state, your definition of a failed state is made to suit your interest.
Well, most of these know-nothings that the republicans have fielded have no idea about anything related to foreign policy let alone Pakistan. Don't worry about their remarks. Any person sane enough to be in the white house will follow the same old policy.
please do it.
I will just say he is the American version of Fazal ur Rehman!!!
we beg to Americans that Please stop all the aid now and please take all our corrupt politicians and other officials to USA and keep them locked up or hang them or shoot them or have tea party with them. What are you looking in Pakistan or Afghanistan? Humiliation I suppose. well good luck to you!
You may not like what they said - and some statements could have been worded better - but all statements were at their core truthful. Pakistan is a borderline failed state by every conceivable definition and no one would consider you a good ally. You want to get made at someone - look in the mirror.
Not that one should opt for aid but just curious if the above statement applies to Israel? which is blackmailing US all the time indirectly.
Mitt Romney,we don't mind what you have said.But,the state of Pakistan economy as it stands today is due only to American presence in this area & our helping you in so called war on terror. Our economy was robust growing @ of 7-8 %pa.Please discontinue what crumbs of your table we are getting.When you need us again we will not be available.We don't want to be dropped like a hot brick again and again.Once we are off the hook we will be better off than having you as a friend.
its interesting that all the hyperbole from US politicians is because the US gives Pakistan AID. is it really aid or is the money for services rendered? the unfortunate aspect of US politics is that no one asks any hard questions to these (nobodies) Contenders? Pakistan stopped the flow of military supplies just once, i am not sure if the readership recalls but MANY how foreign and military leaders suddenly found the time to come to Pakistan. Pakistan is in the driving seat but the leadership of the country under Zardari is unfortunatly in thrall to nato etal. if only????
These guys are getting desperate and won't fool many Americans, who put the blame squarely on them for their economic woes. What does "Occupy Wall St" sound like? As for Pakistan....yes, plz, spare us your aid!
To wean from foreign aid , PAK has to do two things: gain control of the military under civilian leadership and establish a friendly relationship with her neighbors. Neither of the two things is going to happen.
American foreign aid or Chinese foreign aid will be the way of live for PAK, otherwise. The good news is, Obama will be reelected, so PAK can rest easy for now.
Reminds me of the time Obama brought up the Kashmir dispute when he was a candidate now he's in power it's all hush hush.
Don't worry Mitt Romney will have an entirely different statement in t-16 hours .....Just start the countdown. This guy is an epic flip-flopper.
On serious note, this just shows the quality of American politicians as far as their understanding of core foreign policy issues is concerned.
@ Me Tarzan
Foreign aid you gotta be kidding me, Pakistan has lost 36,000 souls NO, it is not a typo, once again, that is, a whopping figure of THIRTY SIX THOUSAND innocent civilians, and $70 billion down the drain, all in that so called “WAR ON TERROR”, that was started by hand full of neocons, all based sheer on lies. Reality bites my friend!
Pakistan is everybody's favorite punching bag, it would seem.
I do not find any inaccuracy in statements. Pakistan is a fragile nation - No educated Pakistani can refuse it. We know, we the educated, when go to rural Pakistani region, we face scoffing remarks, and they develop and transform every minute. Even, I call half illiterates semi educated, semi educated are even fragile. However, I must see these statements are only need of hour for the candidates.Now, Bin Laden is dead - what else they need to do? I read it correctly about the propaganda, which says to influence the public with homely sicks - which is terrorism, a pressing issue.
Go on Misters, we will see whether you win or loose! Statements are very rife to embrace you a fruit.
WE don't NEED your aid. Keep your aid to yourself, we will fend for ourselves.
Republicans always supports dictators in Pakistan. The other day he was criticizing Palestine for their UN seat vote and was supporting any Israeli attack on Iran just for the sake of an argument.P.S he is not coming in power in 2014.
why do u keeping saying to stop teh aid....... why dont u just stop it for once and for all...... we the common people also want it stopped......cuz the common ppl aint getting anything out of it...... it goes in to the pockets of corrupt politicians.....and etablishment......... SO PLEASE STOP IT.....
Every Tom, Dick & Harry now comments on Pakistan and media publish it. But the bitter fact is that all these guys say is not false and hence elites, leadership here has no choice to keep quiet other than giving some denial replies some times. If no lessons are learnt, then Similar blunt remarks may come from China in future if their wishes are not fulfilled whatever they may be.
Now the fundamental question is how this can be stopped. The answer is simple, keep social/economic agenda on top of security issue.Health, education, good quality of life with the budget is manageable without aid if security budget is reduced. This way Pakistan will be self reliant and dependancy on aid will minimize and eventually NO one will be able to make remark like this.
The way the candidates are delivering their speeches, it reflects that they are with the flow of their biased media without having any true picture about Pakistan. I am quite confident that all these candidates do not have any comprehensive study / knowledge about Pakistan/S-Asia, but they believe in what their media is propagating based on US GOVT. We the Pakistani nation would be more thankful to US if they stop their only “numerical aid / PAPER AID” as Pakistan is losing instead of getting the aid from them, We do,t need US aid. The sheep people of US must know that it,s US who is sponsoring some fractions of Taliban to create turbulence in Pakistan. What US is claiming that Taliban are sponsored by Pakistan is entirely wrong as mostly Taliban are supported by IRAN, RUSSIA and China, but US can,t look into the eyes of these nations the reason US is making Pakistan as scape goat against its failures due to Russia, China and Iran.
Province of Punjab, the biggest province of Punjab in terms of population, has long refused to accept US aid.
Thanks but no thanks!
"Some Republican candidates argued that the United States has little choice but to nurture relations with Pakistan"
Why does US think that the only way to nurture relations is to provide "aid":?
"“There isn’t a clear answer as to whether or not Pakistan is a friend or foe,”"
Does that not make the answer clear?
"“Pakistan is clearly sending us messages … that they don’t deserve our foreign aid … because they’re not being honest with us,” "
"Pakistan says it wants Trade not Aid!
@John: Yes, now the 'TRUE' is only what only 23americans say
"“Pakistan must be a friend of the United States for the reason that Michele (Bachmann) outlined. Pakistan is a nuclear power,”"
By that logic so should be North Korea.
To whom it may concern Despite all the problems, Pakistani culture furnishes a “safety valve” to its citizens to let off steam. People of Pakistan have said all kinds of things about their own tyrants and their own system and very few have been diplomatic, but no one was ever persecuted by the government, picked up by the secret service or jailed for insulting the president or the prime minister… Pakistanis are programed to be critical of their society, their government, their politicians and their policies... Notice the free country and true freedom of speech here…
This in response to your recent hapless debate, arrogant display of your virtuous character, strong show of your moral beliefs or principle that you do not really possess, your unreasonable fear and hatred of us Pakistanis, your stubborn and absolute intolerance of our creed, your complete negation of our beliefs, our opinions that justly differ from your own.
Foisted projections of your motives your hidden political and religious agenda which is increasingly influenced by netherworld, every day, you frantically try to move heaven and earth to reinvent your same old dilapidated stratagems to somehow prove to the world that Pakistan is the worse things that can happen to the mankind.
We are the educated masses we are not only here to repudiate but also confute your manipulations by adroitly unearthing and then presenting the truth to the world.
The turf is ours; we are the victims here, that certainly deems you the tormentor and oppressor… We are the defenders here yet you are the repeat offender who is here for furtherance of these perfidious doctrines or principles propagated by this paranoid, covert and organized movement against Pakistan to achieve certain political agenda, and above all, your double standard and your ultimate hypocrisy are the true reasons for your utmost humiliation in our neck of the woods.
Happy vote fishing!
Seems like Pakistan bashing has become an important avenue reaching to White House.
@Mj:
Not every wrong on that count. Hopefully repubs won’t stand a chance this time owing to the socially regressive religious fundies they are fielding.
That has got to be a joke coming from Pakistan. You guys cannot even get rid of socially regressive ordinances that already exist in your constitution. In America at least they don't have Hudood ordinances or have minorities fleeing in fear of their lives - or fill their school text books with hatred against minorities. Your favorite candidate right now appeals to the right wing by conducting his prayers in the middle of a political rally. The funny thing is that there is no course correction in sight even now - you poor guys just feel threatened when this kind of news emerges (ever so often) and huddle closer together while the militant-military-mullah bandwagon railroads the country faster into a yawning abyss.
But what wrong repubs said? Itz all true.
It was a coward republican called Reagan who helped push Pakistan down this path.
Disregard all of them, they will be no bodies after november 2012 election, Pres Obama will stay the course. So listen to what he says not them. They just want to be seen tough and bold on complex countries like Pakistan, sheer electioneering.
It reminds me the mullahs in jumma khutba criticizing Amrika now American presidential condidates are criticizing Phakistan :)
Thanks God 'Mullahs' in Pakistan dont contest elections :)
You ain't gonna get my vote, Mitt!
This is what you get when you rely on others foreign aid .. thats why a new leadership is and new faces are indispensible now ... and secondly yes we are very much in trouble as a country with alot of issues .. but these americans should get there house in order first cause they are on brink of bankcrupcy too !! but yes we do need to sort our own mess and we as a nation have to sort things thats why we need change !! so people please stand up and change this conventional politics in this country whom have brough us here so other countries are giving us dictations !!
We Pakistanis also wonder whether US is our friend or foe?
And please cut the aid. That would be highly appreciated by the Pakistani people minus the so called elites.
"This is instead a nation which is close to being a failed state. I hope it doesn’t reach that point, but it’s really a fragile nation,”
Not every wrong on that count. Hopefully repubs won't stand a chance this time owing to the socially regressive religious fundies they are fielding.
So its all beings now lets see what American next step.