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PUFFING the zephyr of horizons of Pakistan — with a lot
of fragrant allures — the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell
took off for his next destination, the Middle East Thursday — as
a part of his hottest voyage to South Asia — the most sensitive
realms of the global Atlas.
While in Islamabad, the cogent voice of the Bush
administration showered as many flora of fragrance, aroma n’
cologne on Pakistan — as he could do, a facet which, was
pragmatically never rayed by Washington — ever in the past.
To be explicit, while in New Delhi, the US Secretary of State
focused his perceptions — very overtly — on the so-called
‘infiltration’ in India held-Kashmir — yet during his chat with
newsmen on the soils of Pakistan was filled with zest of ‘keen
desire of his country to have long-term ties with Pakistan and
hoped the current Pak-India dialogue will lead to resolution
of the lingering Kashmir dispute.’ [What a fabulous style of
fascinating n’ captivating diplomacy?]
Yet another news, Colin Powell broke to the world was the
first time acknowledgement by the United States with its
‘desire for a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan
and towards this, the decision to make it a major non-NATO
ally’ — yet with no exact time-frame for the innovative
phrase — like the ‘roadmap’ — added in the political glossary,
just freshly at the behest of the United States [at the outset
an axiom, solitarily meant for the Middle East, which surfaced
as a follow-up for South Asia].
With gargantuan gratitude for the Powell, we deem it apposite
to quote his words, which he very munificently articulated;
“We have been involved in a long-term partnership with
Pakistan for many years and I believe that in the current
environment we have every opportunity to strengthen that
relationship in strategic ways as we move forward. I advised
the foreign minister this morning that we will also be making
notification to our Congress that will designate Pakistan as a
major non-NATO ally (MNNA) for purposes of our future
military-military relations."
The MNNA was shaped back in 1989 and Pakistan will obviously
be the fourth Muslim country [if at-all it so happens] after
Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain to become a member. Some of the
other countries in this club include Japan, South Korea, New
Zealand and Australia.
If n’ when this status is ‘bestowed’, it would make Pakistan
eligible for priority delivery access to defense articles,
stockpiling of military hardware, purchase of depleted uranium
for anti-tank rounds, cooperation in defense and research
programmes plus the loan facilities.
Analyzing the words of Powell, one feels absolutely swayed
that of-late, the United States has turned too generous
towards Pakistan. It is a common perspective that — by n’
large — such a yawning love comes from Washington — only with
peculiar intent n’ objectives. To add,
it — paradoxically — remains restricted to ‘words’ only rather
than turning such a vision or ‘dream’ translated into a
reality.
To recapitulate, we would jog your memory to the Camp David
Accord, Mr. Secretary, wherein a magnificent package was set
off for Pakistan after a face-to-face or one-to-one
interaction between President Musharraf n’ President Bush. It
remains, nothing more than an expectation or a probability — to
date.
Going by the index of the history, a momentous, in fact a
vital, crucial and critical facet, which surfaces is that US
has never been a upright n’ steadfast friend [of Pakistan] in
the gone-bye epoch and it’s, as some egalitarians envision,
highly implausible that it shall be so — even in the times
ahead.
Even then, amid his visit to Pakistan, we hope that not only
that the newest pledges — beamed by Mr. Powell — shall be
fulfilled without any delay, but — simultaneously — the previous
oaths vis-à-vis Pakistan shall be accomplished — without any
delay or impediments — clearing the mature backlog.
We would like to recap that an awful facet — very well known to
the US — whereby Pakistan did extend unreserved help to the
United States in its’ fight against terrorism, which, by now
is still being seen by the Bush administration’s stalwarts
with mistrust [despite the loss of precious and lovely lives
in a Wana episode(s) — still going on unabated] and albeit being
acquainted with the veracity that the Pakistan had sided with
the Washington against the wishes of its’ masses — which, in
some circles persists even today.
The proceedings of Pakistan’s Senate n’ National Assembly
stand as clear as crystal as a witness to the veracity, where
the Opposition — irrespective of any specific leaning or
proclivity towards a meticulous political party — stages
frequent walk-outs against the Wana events — almost every day.
Yet, setting aside all such milieus, the government is
resolute to weed-out terrorism, in its’ all forms n’
manifestations, in line with the US-led crusade towards the
pest of terrorism. Isn’t it adequate testimony about
Pakistan’s sincerity?
As a matter of fact, Pakistan has suffered a lot as an upshot
of its support to the US war on terror in Afghanistan, yet by
now, it has got nothing in return via eye-catching n’
clear-cut and categorical terms — except ‘plain n’ promises’.
Eventually, it’s hoped that Powell will make sure the
realization of all the commitments, made by US with Pakistan
by keeping in mind the magnitude of its’ sniffles n’ dilemmas
rather than being more demanding [beyond one’s mind eye] the
moment he gets back home — the abode of the Statute of Liberty.
A gaze n’ glance on the episodes of the recent past would
unveil the fact that most of the US ventures by n’ large have
been abortive, virtually taking a shape of turbulent turmoil
in place of enormous respects, regards n’ veneration, which is
ought to be the authentic right of the solitary super-power —
the United States.
Just have a look on the realms like Afghanistan n’ Iraq, which
are still camouflaged with haziness without an obvious
forceful flash [of affluence] for the near future.
With words of adore and eulogize for Secretary Powell for his
marvelous plans n’ pledges for Pakistan, we would like to ring
a bell to the government of Pakistan not to over-react or be
melodramatic — at least till the time — Washington makes an
evolution or a headway on its’ elfin or hefty assures — in
entirety.
At the same time we are ought to keep a vigilant watch on the
actuality, being aired most exclusively by the United States
and of-late by India. We, by all means, all-the-time have to
keep in mind, intellect n’ brain power — an entrenched realism,
the general elections in the two countries — environ wherein an
optimal digit of sympathizers with their own faith or family(s)
dwelling [abroad or on the locales n’ vicinities of a state]
is pre-requite, [to win-over] — as a human psyche.
With this acuity, we are to ensure that in no case — Pakistan is
exploited by any nauseating realm — for ones’ peculiar n’
ephemeral motifs — in any mode or manner. The raison d'être
is — ‘Pakistan comes First’, a gallant n’ pragmatic slogan, vow
n’ dictum, for which the nation is all set to make sacrifice
of any echelon to shield its’ dignity, honor and
sovereignty — at all costs.
© 2004 Mumtaz Hamid
Rao - Pakistan Times |
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