Tribune Take: Pak-US mending fences in 2012?
Huma Imtiaz, The Express Tribune‘s correspondent based in Washington DC discusses statements made by the US State Department spokesperson saying that the United States was still talking to the Government of Pakistan at “all levels.”
Imtiaz says 2011 has been one of the worst years for bilateral ties between the two allies. The US government promises to have their Ambassador to continue talks with the Pakistani government as well, to discuss issues including the Iran-Pakistan pipeline.
Imtiaz says anti-Iran sentiment runs high in the United States, thus making such a deal with Pakistan a touchy subject as well.
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That is encouraging,but not on US terms !
It is no secret that the last year between our nations was filled with its fair share of challenges. Our relationship was tested over and over but despite all the difficulties, our commitment to the WOT remained intact. We are certainly not in denial about our differences and know that fully mending our relationship will not be an easy task. We remain hopeful and wish to see our nations work out all differences for the sake of achieving our common objectives. The scrutiny of certain events from last year overshadowed our efforts and spurred criticism. We can never downplay the seriousness of incidents such as the “Salala” and wish for it to never be repeated. However, our accomplishments should be remembered. Together we succeeded in capturing and killing some of the top terrorist leaders. Our friendship was on display during the 2010 floods in Pakistan and that spirit carried into 2011, and we began the year with a positive intent. At the end of the day, we should acknowledge that there are many unseen challenges associated with this WOT and our resilience against terrorism continues to push us through. The job is not done yet, and we are confident of fully recovering and continuing our mission against those who wish to harm our forces and destabilize the region.
Mending fences will unlikely to happen in this election year. PAK should take any olive branch extended by Obama administration now.
Although it is unlikely that republican will capture the white house, if they win, they will come after PAK as a wounded wolf for OBL.
PAK options are limited. US has made up her mind. PAK should do serious heavy lifting by July. After that, US election crescendo will drown anything PAK says.
This is the right time ; as a wiser nation' we must come up with solid and concrete foreign policy towards US, in coming future.
Every Sept 11th the American's will sit galvanized in front of their TV's and watch the replay of those tragic events and at the end of the program will be the section discussing how justice was served by American special forces in Abbottabad. Until Pakistan heals the wound associated with finding OBL in Abbottabad any progress made in relations will be superficial. Pakistan may have collective amnesia when it comes to OBL - American's will never forgive or forget him.