Pakistanis suspicious of Clinton offerings
EPA
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton talks at a ceremony at Pakistan National Council of Arts in Islamabad on Monday,
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s recent trip to Islamabad was met with a range of reactions, mainly that of suspicion, despite the many gifts she brought with her.
The two-day trip was aimed at bettering U.S. relations with Islamabad and to further fortify Pakistan’s cooperation in the war in Afghanistan. However, in an effort to show the relationship went beyond that, Clinton came with a number of humanitarian and economic offerings to help some of the country’s problems. This included a promise of 0 million in economic aid for such projects such as clean drinking water and the building of hydroelectric dams and hospitals. The secretary of state also launched a trade agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan that has taken some 45 years to come into fruition.
She told the Pakistanis: “We know that there is some questioning, even suspicion, about what the United States is doing today and I can only respond by saying that very clearly we have a commitment that is much broader and deeper than it has ever been.”
Her comments were bolstered by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who said “…we are focusing all projects, all sectors that would make a qualitative difference in lives of ordinary Pakistanis, so they understand that this relationship is beyond security, this is a relationship that improves our purchasing power, our quality of life, and then the different message is understood.”
Read story: Tension with Pakistan on display as Clinton visits
On the ground, however, such acts of kindness were not appreciated. On the second day of Clinton’s visit the front cover of Pakistan’s The Nation had a piece that read: “We are told she has come with a 0 million aid package and apparently the aid will go into power, agriculture, health and dams also – but as we all know for the Americans there is no such thing as a ‘free lunch’ – and already our country is bleeding because of the alliance with the US so we are going to be bled some more with this aid package.”
America had a great following here more than 50 years ago. The skepticism seen now is a result of past conflicts and changes in American foreign policy over the years. The bitterness is also, in part, a remnant from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, when America discarded Pakistan after seeking its help to defeat the Russians. This has been fueled further since the start of the war in Afghanistan, when America was once again back, enjoying the support of Gen. Musharraf. Pakistanis feel that they are constantly used and then abandoned by the U.S.
Ibtassim Abassi, a journalism student, said Clinton “is here for her own problems, not for Pakistan, they use Pakistan to reduce their own problems.” His contention was that the main objective of her trip was to win the war in Afghanistan.
To Abed Hussain, the aid was not enough and he felt that his government was being manipulated. “The help they are extending is very inadequate, very insufficient, that is not sufficient for us to remove poverty or unemployment… our leadership is not so courageous and not so brave … I don’t think they are able to get the benefits of the visit of Hillary Clinton.”
Sentiment on the street was similar among most of the people with whom we spoke: It was unrealistic to expect a change in public opinion so soon as a result of these new initiatives brought in by Clinton.
This new strategy may take a while to sink in; perhaps the motives of America may be convincing if the projects are demonstrated to be a success. The conflicts and differences of opinion over the last few decades still appear to be fresh in the Pakistanis’ minds and overshadow any gesture offered.
