Former Ambassador recognised for 'exemplary' diplomatic discourse
Haqqani says prejudice between Pakistanis and Americans is the biggest hurdle to good relations.
WASHINGTON:
Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award For the Advancement of Public Discourse on Foreign Policy by the American Committee on Foreign Relations (ACFR).
Haqqani was presented the award at a ceremony in Washington attended by ACFR members from across the United States, gathered for the organisation's 17thAnnual Conference.
Presenting the award, ACFR President John Brierley said that Haqqani had “served his country in exemplary fashion as a journalist, scholar, educator, diplomat.” He said that the former ambassador had managed the US-Pakistan relationship in difficult times and had brought the message of friendship with Pakistan to many remote parts of the US, and that he had “served with distinction as Pakistan's ambassador the United States from 2008 to 2011.”
“[Haqqani] has shown an extraordinary commitment to improving relations between the US and Pakistan,” Brierley said, adding that the former ambassador's willingness to take risks in reaching out and arguing the case for Pakistan-US relations had earned him a unique place among diplomats serving in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Husain Haqqani said that the greatest barrier to good relations between nations was the prejudice between their people.
“Americans must not view Pakistan as a stereotype and just through the prism of their fight against terrorism. Pakistanis need to be told the American point of view without use of force and with respect for the country’s sovereignty,” he observed. Dialogue and negotiations in relations between countries along with patience and perseverance were important virtues in diplomacy, Haqqani said.
The American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) is a non profit association dedicated to facilitating debate on international events--primarily as they relate to the formulation and implementation of US foreign policy.
Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award For the Advancement of Public Discourse on Foreign Policy by the American Committee on Foreign Relations (ACFR).
Haqqani was presented the award at a ceremony in Washington attended by ACFR members from across the United States, gathered for the organisation's 17thAnnual Conference.
Presenting the award, ACFR President John Brierley said that Haqqani had “served his country in exemplary fashion as a journalist, scholar, educator, diplomat.” He said that the former ambassador had managed the US-Pakistan relationship in difficult times and had brought the message of friendship with Pakistan to many remote parts of the US, and that he had “served with distinction as Pakistan's ambassador the United States from 2008 to 2011.”
“[Haqqani] has shown an extraordinary commitment to improving relations between the US and Pakistan,” Brierley said, adding that the former ambassador's willingness to take risks in reaching out and arguing the case for Pakistan-US relations had earned him a unique place among diplomats serving in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Husain Haqqani said that the greatest barrier to good relations between nations was the prejudice between their people.
“Americans must not view Pakistan as a stereotype and just through the prism of their fight against terrorism. Pakistanis need to be told the American point of view without use of force and with respect for the country’s sovereignty,” he observed. Dialogue and negotiations in relations between countries along with patience and perseverance were important virtues in diplomacy, Haqqani said.
The American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) is a non profit association dedicated to facilitating debate on international events--primarily as they relate to the formulation and implementation of US foreign policy.