The US desires long-term relationship based on mutual understanding with the people and not with the regimes in Pakistan and it's evident from the financial assistance under the Kerry-Lugar Bill that the funds would be spent on masses weal, said Robert Hathaway Director, Asia Programme and consultant on the US's Congressional Committees on Foreign Affairs.
The US was providing financial assistance to Pakistan since 1950s but the people of Pakistan were never benefited from these funds specifically earmarked for carrying out social welfare projects. He said President Bush gave heavy aid package to Pervez Musharraf but the people did not benefit from this assistance.
While sharing his views during a policy dialogue on "US Foreign Policy Challenges: Dynamics and Strategies," organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Thursday, he said that Americans were always blamed for supporting military dictators, which remained a truth for last many decades, but now Washington changing its stance has included democratic provisions in the KL bill and separated non-military aid.
He regretted that an MNA in Pakistan called the bill surrender to the US. Former Foreign Secretary-General Akram Zaki chaired the session. He said there are no conditionalities and the bill does not say that Pakistan failed in implementing the objectives mentioned in the bill. He said the US wants democracy, the aid going to the people and civilian control over armed forces.
He admitted that certification is required for the aid to ensure that the money is being properly used. He said there is no exception and aid to other countries also needs similar criteria. He was of the view that at present Pakistan has to make a choice, if objectives are compatible, then it has to say yes to the bill and if no, it means that Pakistan does not need money for its forces.
Two issues would determine the future of Obama Administration, he said, adding that on the domestic front his success on getting health reforms implemented and at international front fate of his Afghan-Pak policy.
Hathaway said public opinion in the US and the Nato states is running "in the other direction" as a number of allies are pulling out while the war is expected to escalate in Afghanistan. He said that polls show that majority in US does not believe winning the war. He said there is a reflection of Vietnam quagmire especially on the minds of Democrats as commanders were asking for more and more troops and there seemed no end to war.
He said some Democrats like Vice-President Joseph Biden favour limited strategy though there are others supporting Taliban, focusing first on Pakistan or negotiating with Taliban on women rights, narcotics and democratisation. He said that Obama is increasingly reluctant to send more troops to Pakistan. No one wants to walk away but there should be balance between ends and means. Obama is in unenviable position, he said.
To a question he said there is no guarantee that Washington will not support military dictators in future. Speaking on the occasion Akram Zaki said different perceptions were there about the alliance between the countries even during best of times in our bilateral relations.
He added that co-operation between the two countries is good and it should continue. He said that co-operation is good, beneficial for the two and outbalances tensions between the US and Pakistan. Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, said relationships between nations can never be understood following a linear approach.
He said the bill generated confusions and disappointment among three key stakeholders: Americans were disappointed as they felt their good intentions were being rejected, Pakistanis got disappointed as they felt humiliated, while Indians are frustrated as they feel this bill means Pakistan is turning America's blue-eyed boy. "The intention of these dialogues is that Robert Hathaway should take some messages for policy-makers in US," Dr Suleri said.
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