The Straightening of the US Role in South Asia - an Instrument for Ensuring Security in the Region
Mihaela PADUREANU
October 13, 2009
Pakistan, through its Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, wants that the US to have a long-term vision not only for Pakistan and Afghanistan but for the entire region. Although Pakistan has made a progress towards internal stability and in combating terrorism it still needs the US support. In that direction the Congress has agreed on an aid package for Pakistan worth 1.5 bilion dollars a year for the next five years. The US considers the relationship with Pakistan as being a „broad strategic partnership” of major importance. (CNN, APP, Dawn.com)
The meeting`s main dimension between the two officials focused on the maintenance of the American troops and of their interest not only on Afghanistan and Pakistan but on the entire region too. The successfully deployment of the Swat Valley operation had the goal to maintain the US`s trust in the Pakistan`s political will to keep on fighting against terrorism along them. In the same time, it represented the justification for the adjustment of an aid package for Pakistan consiting in 1.5 billion dollars a year for the next five years. The aid package has passed the Congress in the middle of the economic crisis. The aid`s aim is to help on building more efficient methods and techniques for the country’s development and democratization. In this case the democratization and the development become possibilities thru which the Islamic extremism may be controlled and moderated. The challenges for Pakistan are coming not only from inside the state: thru the Islamic militants, high poverty, an educational system incompatible with democracy and thru an economy affected by recession but also from outside the state- terrorism, the conflict with India regarding the Kashmir region and thru the risk of being isolated by the international community. This risk increased due to Al-Qaeda members` links with Pakistan. Because of this it was necessary for Pakistan to prove its commitment for the war on terrorism. In October 2008 Pakistan signed a Standby Arrangement with International Monetary Fund caused by state`s incapacity to collect taxes. This incapacity signifies another indicator of its weak structure.
Besides of using this aid for civil goals, it could also be used to increase the number of military equipment that the Pakistani army has. The support for Pakistani army it is a necessity if it is to go on with effective troops. In this case the US represents the actor that may provide the needed means. What this aid package wants to ensure is the development of research in the military field as well as to legitimate institutions. By this the Pakistani state is going to have the empowerment it needs on the domestic area and on the external area. The continuing sustenance by US must be managed very carefully because it may be used by the extremists as a tool for obtaining people’s support. The acceptance of US` s aid should prove that is not going to affect the state’s sovereignty. The debate of the package’s requirements in the National Assembly is the first method to avoid this kind of pitfalls. To stress the importance of a democratic institution in the relationship between the two countries it is a way to fortify Pakistan’s democratic dimension.
The Pakistani’s army transformation which began with the Swat Valley operation it is required in order to adapt to country’s particularities. They need to obtain legitimacy first of all in front of their citizens.
The Kashmir’s delicate situation it should be tackled with caution. Pakistan does not want to change its position in this problem and the aid package should not be perceived as influencing this. For the US the importance of maintaining and strengthening relations with an ally in Southern Asia can not be neglected. In the same time the relationship with India can not be damaged. The two states are of major importance for US and their radicalization (and especially that of Pakistan) should be avoided. Until then a Pakistan willing to cooperate and negotiate with the Western forces it is more desirable than one with Islamic extremist leaders.
Mihaela PADUREANU
October 13, 2009
Pakistan, through its Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, wants that the US to have a long-term vision not only for Pakistan and Afghanistan but for the entire region. Although Pakistan has made a progress towards internal stability and in combating terrorism it still needs the US support. In that direction the Congress has agreed on an aid package for Pakistan worth 1.5 bilion dollars a year for the next five years. The US considers the relationship with Pakistan as being a „broad strategic partnership” of major importance. (CNN, APP, Dawn.com)
The meeting`s main dimension between the two officials focused on the maintenance of the American troops and of their interest not only on Afghanistan and Pakistan but on the entire region too. The successfully deployment of the Swat Valley operation had the goal to maintain the US`s trust in the Pakistan`s political will to keep on fighting against terrorism along them. In the same time, it represented the justification for the adjustment of an aid package for Pakistan consiting in 1.5 billion dollars a year for the next five years. The aid package has passed the Congress in the middle of the economic crisis. The aid`s aim is to help on building more efficient methods and techniques for the country’s development and democratization. In this case the democratization and the development become possibilities thru which the Islamic extremism may be controlled and moderated. The challenges for Pakistan are coming not only from inside the state: thru the Islamic militants, high poverty, an educational system incompatible with democracy and thru an economy affected by recession but also from outside the state- terrorism, the conflict with India regarding the Kashmir region and thru the risk of being isolated by the international community. This risk increased due to Al-Qaeda members` links with Pakistan. Because of this it was necessary for Pakistan to prove its commitment for the war on terrorism. In October 2008 Pakistan signed a Standby Arrangement with International Monetary Fund caused by state`s incapacity to collect taxes. This incapacity signifies another indicator of its weak structure.
Besides of using this aid for civil goals, it could also be used to increase the number of military equipment that the Pakistani army has. The support for Pakistani army it is a necessity if it is to go on with effective troops. In this case the US represents the actor that may provide the needed means. What this aid package wants to ensure is the development of research in the military field as well as to legitimate institutions. By this the Pakistani state is going to have the empowerment it needs on the domestic area and on the external area. The continuing sustenance by US must be managed very carefully because it may be used by the extremists as a tool for obtaining people’s support. The acceptance of US` s aid should prove that is not going to affect the state’s sovereignty. The debate of the package’s requirements in the National Assembly is the first method to avoid this kind of pitfalls. To stress the importance of a democratic institution in the relationship between the two countries it is a way to fortify Pakistan’s democratic dimension.
The Pakistani’s army transformation which began with the Swat Valley operation it is required in order to adapt to country’s particularities. They need to obtain legitimacy first of all in front of their citizens.
The Kashmir’s delicate situation it should be tackled with caution. Pakistan does not want to change its position in this problem and the aid package should not be perceived as influencing this. For the US the importance of maintaining and strengthening relations with an ally in Southern Asia can not be neglected. In the same time the relationship with India can not be damaged. The two states are of major importance for US and their radicalization (and especially that of Pakistan) should be avoided. Until then a Pakistan willing to cooperate and negotiate with the Western forces it is more desirable than one with Islamic extremist leaders.
