US diplomats in Pakistan facing harassment: State Department
Such harassment and obstruction is described by US embassy staff as “deliberate, willful and systematic,” according to the 76-report by the department’s watchdog, the office of inspector general.
“Official Pakistani obstructionism and harassment, an endemic problem in Pakistan, has increased to the point where it is significantly impairing mission operations and program implementations,” the report said.
Harassment included such things as delaying visas for staff, blocking shipments of materials for aid programs and construction work, and surveillance of staff and contractors.
The official report, made available Thursday, comes after a February fact-finding tour of the US diplomatic missions in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore.
It urged US officials to ensure that the issue of harassment is raised in bilateral talks with the Pakistani government.
Although it was marked “sensitive but unclassified,” sections giving greater detail about the conditions faced by US embassy staff were blacked out along with several recommendations made by the watchdog.
The US commando raid on Bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad in May 2011 had been a “double embarrassment” highlighting both the government’s “incompetence” and “its inability to detect or defend against a military intervention.”
Confidence between the United States and Pakistan was further shaken by the attack on the US embassy in Kabul in September, as well as a Nato attack that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in November.
“The impact of these events has been felt across the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship,” the report said.
“The expectation is that the future relationship will be less ambitious, more pragmatic,” it said, adding that the embassy also “struggles with the challenge of programming more than $2 billion in annual funding for development and security assistance programs.”
The report makes 32 formal recommendations for improving the security and working conditions of the embassy staff, including updating its policy on the use of armored vehicles.
Washington-based officials, however, were also criticized for being too intrusive at times amid the intense interest and US commitment in what is happening on the ground in both Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan.
“One of the embassy’s greatest challenges is managing Washington’s intense and at times intrusive involvement and voracious appetite for information,” the report said.
From the time of the November border incident to the February review, embassy officials had taken part in 40 video conferences with senior people in Washington, some of them chaired by President Barack Obama.
The report recommended that the number of video conferences between Washington and Islamabad be rationalized.
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The article should read, "In the wake of US killing 24 Pakistani soldiers......" Is it funny how the stupid is the state department of the US to be still in denial of their own acts. Maybe to the USA, Pakistani lives are not worth as much as Ramond Davis.
@Hedgefunder: "@ayesha_khan: If only your fellow citizens of this Nation had as much ability to acknowledge the basic facts, Pakistan would not be in the cauldron it finds itself !"
I am an Indian Muslim. I have stated this in many different posts when it is relevant to clarify my nationality.
@Hedgefunder: @ayesha_khan: If only your fellow citizens of this Nation had as much ability to acknowledge the basic facts, Pakistan would not be in the cauldron it finds itself !
ayesha_khan is a Muslim Indian. She has made it clear in her other posts.
@Sethi: Don't forget as to where does Pakistan's weaponary comes from ! Without spares and maintainance, they will become useless pretty quick too !!
Whoever,heard of gun wielding and carrying spying gadgets diplomats,scouting around their host country's most sensitive and prohibited areas ?....
@Hedgefunder: Since a decade they along with their 48 country's NATO allies forces,have been unable to subdue the slipper wearing Taliban's,of the rag picker Afghanistan,....Trust me Pakistan,is not Iraq or Afghanistan.They will have to think a 100 times before they make the mistake of declaring war on them.
Very good. All American citizens (not just govt and military) should be kept for 6 hours on entry and exit like they do to us. They should also get extra security checking ( strip searching every American citizen would be ideal) we should bey izat them like they do to us
tot for tat....at least a country though much weaker has stood up to US bullying.
@ayesha_khan: You are banging your head against a wall here. what you forget to once economic crisis hits Pakistan " if america tightens its sanctions" it can be easily blamed on Jews and west. ore profit and Mujaheddin for he ruling class.
US is a super power and a major donor of Pakistan. In fact, it can safely be said that without the US dollars, the Pakistan economy will collapse in a week and the country will come to a standstill.
But, it is Pakistan that is constantly giving pinpricks to US over the years. And the US is just tolerating them, giving occasional whines, and for some reason, unable to retaliate. In this Tom and Jerry fight, the Pak Jerry always comes on tops.
I have the feeling that Pak has some trump card up their sleeve which we don't know about. Pak knows some deadly secret of US with which they are arm-twisting them. Otherwise, there is just simply no explanation for the abject and meek behavior of US towards Pakistan. US seems to keep crying and complaining always, but don't seem to have guts to do anything about it !
@ayesha_khan: If only your fellow citizens of this Nation had as much ability to acknowledge the basic facts, Pakistan would not be in the cauldron it finds itself ! It helps to self examine and face facts, rather than playing Blame Games and Denials !!! Their Ghairat stops them from acting in rational and meaningful way, hence the lack of progress in any sphere of society except for building Bombs in last 60 odd years !!!! Bombs will never feed, educate or provide medical care to the people !!!!
Sincere advice to the US: mind your business. Spend war money on the millions of poor and poor-to-be in your country. Stop making money on the blood of innocents!
@Ejaz: "@Asad: Well said and I like that, your statement is with proof rather than a sentimaental statement and carry a weight. Iran is surviving without nonsense US and European aid; they are not fearful of the US and are talking eye to eye to the US; what has the US done against them so far?"
Iran has oil and Pakistan doesn't. Iran has NEVER received US aid. From 1979 onwards it has not even been in US camp. So it has had 33 years to figure out and implement alternative foreign policy. Pakistan has constantly been aid dependent. Whenever aid is reduced or cutoff as latter part of seventies or 90s, Pakistan economy slows down. Iran's currency has significantly depreciated due to sanctions and consequently its citizens are facing high inflation. So even Iran who never received aid from US and has oil - is showing impact of these sanctions. Impact on Pakistan would be more NOT less. You are already started seeing it though you are not connecting the dots. The severe load shedding is due to bankruptcy of Pakistani state which is unable to pay for its fuel. It is not due to inadequate generation capacity. The inability to pay pensions to railway people- again paucity of funds. Inability pay for repair of railway wagons where over 50% are lying unused - paucity of funds. You are seeing it, living it but not recognizing the impact of slowing down of aid. Imagine what would happen if aid not jus slowed down but stopped AND US did what it is doing to Iran i.e. sanctioned trade with Pakistan?The harassment is mutual but Pakistan has become more hostile towards USA after Osama's episode. Are we trying to hide our embarrassment by bulling USA? We need to restart this relationship with mutual respect and honesty.
did someone mentioned weapons carried by harrassed diplomats???
@Asad: Well said and I like that, your statement is with proof rather than a sentimaental statement and carry a weight. Iran is surviving without nonsense US and European aid; they are not fearful of the US and are talking eye to eye to the US; what has the US done against them so far? The US is busy in fighting immoral and illegal wars against other countries at the moment and I don't think so that she would like to open a new front on Pakistan and Iran.
@Hedgefunder: Do they realize as to what the outcome of trying to take on US, would do to this Nation? For your Information, Worse sanctions were imposed on Pakistan after Nuclear Test. So, If you want to fear then you do . Don't impose your own personal fears on us. Maybe West is God for you so go and worship. Common, don't waste time any further. I think it will be a blessing for Pakistan If US at least stop giving financial Bribe( AID) to Ruling elite in the name of Financial Civilian aid. It only ends up in these politicians' foreign Bank accounts and nation get poorer. By the way, Raymond Davis, On Papers, As US claims was a diplomat too who killed two Pakistanis in the plain day light on the busy commercial road of Lahore.
I hope USA is getting a full picture of the nature and character of the Pak state.
It's a good step taken by Pakistani security forces. If they were true diplomats; they won't be filming strategic locations nor will they be carrying automatic weapons. In the guise of Diplomats; they are spies who are responsible for espionage. They seek diplomatic immunity but in reality they should be charged and tried in the court of law. Pakistan should also keep an eye middle eastern diplomats especially the Saudi diplomats who are importing religious fanaticism in the country. Pakistan was a peaceful and religiously tolerant country to late 70's. Saudi religious terrorism supported and funded by Saudis and the US has tarnished and tormented the country so much that Pakistan is bearly recognisable now.
@Mirza: LOL! One of the best I have seen on ET.
@Shyam: Would suggest you to re-read. Isn't it obvious? Hedgefunder caught it.
Why don,t US diplomats leave our country and take their filthy being out of our country.
@Azmat
Align ourselves a lot more closely with China, Russia and even India and let us be courted by them, instead of the US. They are closer, need us a lot more than the US does and we could benefit from them a lot more,
Yes Pakistan will benefit a lot, but do the others need you so badly? Have you seen China-US trade data and the amount both have invested in each other? And , Salala and OBL are much discussed, but didn't Lal Masjid happen because some Chinese were harrassed?
Oh ET come on , are you presenting US as we should have sympathies with them ?
From the comments, it seems as if US has been living on Pakistani aid for 6 decades. The delusions are unbelievable; wait for a month, Pakistan will open up NATO supplies to save itself from bankruptcy.
@Mirza: But who knows OBL existed in Abbotabad? Where is the proof? OBL was a patient with multiple serious health issues ever since/before 9/11. He may have been dead long time back. Have you visited physics 911 dot net????? Everyone should go and read facts.
@Hedgefunder
First, that Mirza guys is your Indian brother in disguise.
Second, when you die everything of this world becomes irrelevant for you. An inspirational quote, write it down.
US interference is the main source of problem for pakistan........All diplomats should be kicked out... US Diplomats can do anything they like and violate the laws and rules of our country. and then they talk about Peace...........
US is the biggest threat to pakistan
@Mirza: Oh? So we want to know about you more!
@Randy Lee Hatifeld: billions in aid
It should be read - "US spies has no more free run in Pakistan"
These Americans, leave the diplomats/dignitaries of other countries, even harass civilians of non-american origin.. You can experience it right from the port of entry...
@Mirza US should not be surprised at our equally strong reaction
Can you withstand US' stronger reaction to your "strong" reaction??
The killing of 2 pakistanis by Raymond Davis was also 'deliberate, willful and systematic' ...
oh REALLYYY !!!!!!!!!!
@Mirza:
LOL !!!! My dear Mirza, i know the tone you have used here, so just to add. The Naivety of Pakistanis is simply unbelievable, aso the impact of their actions on the Nation in medium to llong term. They simply can not face the facts as they stand, and are making noises beyond their weight ! Do they realise as to what the outcome of trying to take on US, would do to this Nation? It would be one way ticket to Kingdom Kom !
Align ourselves a lot more closely with China, Russia and even India and let us be courted by them, instead of the US. They are closer, need us a lot more than the US does and we could benefit from them a lot more, now that our relationship with US has soured permanently.
Straightening out a few governance glitches in our country will entirely remove the need for financial support from the US and its crony orgnaizations like the IMF. If we do end up needing handouts, China and Russia should be easier to be convinced, than the US.
"Harassment included such things as delaying visas for staff, blocking shipments of materials for aid programs and construction work, and surveillance of staff and contractors." If it was done in US it would have been for national security I guess, Pakistani dictionary is somewhat flawed.
When your diplomats are not acting like diplomats, they shouldn't only be monitored but should be punished and expelled.... want respect, then respect the laws
Stopping US diplomats from transferring of Huge ammunition to unknown locations is harassment and considered obstruction in the mission work. As far as construction is concerned, why does US mission need to acquire more land to build a fortress in diplomatic zone? I would say US need to look for other black sheep in our community for smoother implementation of their war loving agenda's.
This is nonsense. Pakistan just demands $ 50,000 per diplomat; excluding those which are taken into protective custody by its strategic assets and taken to the world famous resort in Waziristan. In such cases the total demand may be a few million dollars depending upon the facilities availed by the protected diplomat.
should we apologise?
Pakistan has bin laden with problems even after removing Bin Ladin.
Why is this story on frontpage of ET? Who cares about supposed bad conditions of pampered US diplomats? Half of Pakistan doesn't have electricity and ET is still spinning in favour of the US.
Just the other day these diplomats were caught travelling to FATA without and NOC and with all sorts of unlicensed weapons in their possession. Maybe if they weren't up to all sorts of monkey business they wouldn't be harassed.
You called for this. This is a result of your mysterious activities and your covert CIA operations to spur militancy in the country. You call this harassment and I call it to keep you all in control.
And i am pretty sure that the report will have no account of the racial harassment and bullying which the local staff working the embassay have to face on a daily basis at the hands of these diplomats.. The local staff are treated poorly at the name of observing security and safety.
US Diplomats facing harassment ? look who is saying this .. .
That is what happens when you embassy staff breaks trust.
Pakistan should limit the US staff to the minimum limits possible. We should take back the land in Islamabad which our government has given them to create a mini USA in Pakistan's capital. These are like snakes which would always bite us whenever they get a chance. So better avoid them and keep them under close survielance
Oh yea thats sad, if these Diplomats are like Raimond David syle then they should be given right roam around, with the facilities of weapons and have licence to kill peoples around
After the brutal killing of our biggest strategic asset and dumping the body in ocean the US should not be surprised at our equally strong reaction. The killing of OBL was not just a big setback but has exposed our country as the protector of terrorists. We cannot take these aggressive acts and insults lightly. We do have our pride and other actors to pay back.
and what Pakistan is facing by U.S ? treats, sweets and flowers ?
Not good. War on terror will not last forever. I don't think the West will forget this in a hurry.