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Relations with Pakistan will continue to grow: US
* Feldman says getting US-Pakistan relationship right is critical to managing some of the most difficult challenges of 21st century
WASHINGTON: The US relationship with Pakistan has grown significantly and must continue to grow, top US Envoy for the region Dan Feldman said, as he cited the vitality of the wide-ranging bilateral cooperative ties.
Speaking at a Washington think tank, the special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan said the Kerry-Lugar-Berman authorisation, which expired on September 30, spelled out a set of policy principles that continue to guide the relationship - “support for civilian democratic institutions; parity in assistance to civilian and military entities; expanded economic cooperation; and expanded people-to-people ties”.
“To take the next step, we’re going to need a common conception of what this relationship can achieve. It cannot be solely about Afghanistan, or terrorism.
“It cannot be solely dependent on relations with the continents great powers. The US-Pakistan relations cannot be the sum of negative parts,” he noted at the Atlantic Council.
Feldman said, “Getting the US-Pakistan relationship right is critical to managing some of the most difficult challenges of the 21st century - from non-proliferation and counterterrorism to ensuring peace and stability in Asia.”
At the same time, he said, for the US-Pakistan ties to grow, “it is going to have to be less about what our two governments do than about what our peoples and businesses have to offer”.
He also cited useful cooperation in the fields of energy, stabilization, counterterrorism and economic growth assistance.
In his remarks, Feldman acknowledged, “It is no secret that for the last decade, the American approach to the region has been filtered through the lens of our mission in Afghanistan.”
“The US effort in Afghanistan - in human, material, and financial terms - drove our focus.”
While it is easy to be overwhelmed by negative headlines, there are reasons to be optimistic, he said, referring to current better economic prospects for Pakistan.
“A democratic government completed its constitutional term for the first time in history, and was succeeded through a peaceful democratic process. And there are signs of economic progress. Pakistani consumers can now access 3G/4G wireless spectrum for the first time. Pakistan outcompeted China and others for the contract to produce all of the Adidas soccer balls used for last summer’s World Cup in Brazil.”
He praised the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan.
“It is Pakistan that has the clearest stake in this fight, as it is the Pakistani people who bear the brunt of terrorism today,” he said, referring to some recent attacks.
“We have all appreciated the vocal leadership of many senior Pakistanis - including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Raheel Sharif - in this regard.”
Regarding relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, the special representative said there is tremendous potential for progress in relations.
In this context, he cited the agreement signed by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Afghan National Economic Advisor Zakhilwal, on the transit tariff for electricity sold via the CASA-1000 transmission lines.
“There are also other areas of potential. President Ghani and Dr Abdullah agree that a renewed effort at reconciliation is important, and each also envision a role for Pakistan in that effort. “They each desire improved military-to-military cooperation to manage the border is also a key priority to reduce tensions and eliminate the safe havens that exist on both sides of the border. We are ready to be helpful, including by renewing trilateral cooperation in each of these important areas.”
He said, “One of the stories that has gone underreported is what KLB has done for people-to-people ties. Over the past five years, under KLB, Pakistan has been the largest recipient of US government-funded exchanges in the entire world. Over 1,300 Pakistani students each year come to the United States to continue their education, including about 200 under the Fulbright program. An alumni network of over 14,000 students who benefited from these exchanges is active in Pakistan. Seventeen partnerships between US and Pakistani universities are now active. There is prospect to grow these connections, with more resources.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk