What do we want from Bush? Economic assistence, ofcourse....also some mainstream publicity that our nation is friendly in the eyes of bias western media, which is unlikely to happen as the bombs exploded in Karachi before the visit and a U.S diplomat was killed.
Pakistanis hate Bush and America but need their co-operation. We are not confused rather than in a trasition of culture, economy and generation. Difficult time and its seems that only America's co-operation can help us get out of the mess that was assembled by the previous governments and PMs. Americans will help, as long as they get their piece of pie.
So this means no privacy for public. Prosecution of people who speak out. No Democracy. Nuclear weapons unchecked…but GDP growth of over 7-8%. Fine with me
Besides, after Bush getting re-elected and Gujrat genocide. I am over this Democracy **** already.
Are we reading the same news? seems to me he has made some categorical declarations ...such as:
he will not interefere with India on Kashmir
he will reinforce with Musharaf about controlling terror
India and Pakistan will not be viewed equally
Called for Pakistan return to democray next year
As to a Pak-Chino nexus for arms, that already exists for a long time.
If US and India are 'natural allies', being democracies, as Bush speechified, China and Pak are natural allies given the political structure compatibility.
Overall I cannot help thinking the emperor had a successful vit visiting the outrigger states...given things were getting pretty hot at home, what with the port deal, katrina conference call video and not to mention, the daily bagdad bombings.
There is no such thing as China or US group categorized by democracy or lack of it. If that was the case than Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Bahrain and Kuwait would have no contacts with the States. How many visits did Bush made during his Presidency to India??? How much do you think he is concerned about India?
The reason we hate Bush and America is because we have our own philosophy and approach to world affairs. Doesn't matter if US cares or not....we are living by it. Don't worry about military, Pakistan is a major USNNA (US Non-Nato Ally) joining an exclusive club of nations that includes Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines, which are given preferential treatment by the US in areas of foreign aid and defence cooperation. Does China cares about this??? Do you see them bothered?
US and China are doing their bussiness with each other and making sure their policies are in place and so are we, but we have to draw a line when it comes to international events like Kashmir, Palestine, Iraq , Iraq and Israel and distinguish ourselves from them as much as possible.
^ and what is the defence cooperation you're talking to in that 'exclusive club'? I'd call Isreal US a defence co-op. Japan, may be, with a twist, given the post WW2 agreements about standing armies. There is very little by way action with NZ& Australia other than getting troops from them for Iraq.
All others - US is basically stationing military there because the locals cannot handle it themselves. some club.
what is an 'international event' into which you're clubbing Kashmir and Israel?
To be honest I'm disoriented about how the trip went...things didn't seem right the moment AF1 landed; the president, PM both absent...? no red carpet no 21 gun salute. Either it was done for security reasons or Mush is having a mood swing.
Then came the joint conference; what went where...? war on terror ok, but whats in it for us!? And then Mush had to explain himself on the democracy crap...I'm glad he atleast spoke brilliantly on that subject.
In a way yes, it's a lesson as Najam Sethi said, Pakistanis hate Bush more than Indians, Pakistan has more antiBush sentiment, why then did we expect all love and presents...?
But, given how we've been selling ourselves for their war on terror to gain something for us, the expectations weren't all that unreasonbale after all...
To say that Bush called Mush a great friend, which he didnt say for Manmohan, isnt reason enough to satisfy the questions Pakistanis have...does the cold shoulder mean something? or is it just that the blessings are soon to be showered on us, and this right now wasnt the time...? but why?
We miss China all of a sudden, should hug them tight again, but we should get firm and to the point with the US too.
United States government gives Major non-NATO ally to exceptionally close allies who have strong strategic working relationships with American forces but are not members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It awards its allies with variety of military and financial advantages that can not be received by countries not in NATO or American close allies.
There are several advatages of MNNA, namely entry in cooperative research and development projects on shared costs, purchase of depleted uranium anti-tank rounds, reciprocal training and using American financing to purchase or lease Defense equipment. I think Pakistan can benefit a lot from it because we almost everyday argue about how our defense spending has swallowed money that can be used for civilians projects like schools and hospitals. This lease and purchasing power will help our government to ease that pressure and start diverting those finances to other civilian project. Pakistan can gain a lot from it.
And so are we on the India side, atleast those of us that don't partake on the koolaid.
Bush and Condi promising nuclear pact is all great but I think it is a master stroke on their side - to say that they really wanted to make the deal but Congress shot it down. It's part of the eat the cake and have it too strategy. And why do they need to do this? So that they know the limits to which India can be pushed. It is just my view but I think they had the Vajpayee govt pegged down quite a bit but did not have have a clue how the Manmohan team thought and operated. Now I think they know a bit more. The Vajpayee gang was more passionate and idealistic but the Manmohan team is more practical and professional. The vision remains the same I think.
As to Pakistan, my view for what it's worth, is that this is the beginning of succession planning. As you know, the Bush-Mush personal compatibility has been a big factor in how things worked out but how much longer can that sustain relationship between 2 countries? This is a very key conccern for us Indians too. Does not mean Mush is under any threat (amazing how great a general he has been quite frankly) but the world needs some visibility to who else and who will succeed. Without that, any deal meaking becomes invalid and impractical. The banker is not the answer atleast as of now - the difference between great manager and leader
