No need to be upset over anti-Americanism

Pakistan OBSERVER, Tue, May,13, 2008.

Pervaiz Iqbal Cheema

A leading Pakistani newspaper published a report on May 9, 2008 entitled ‘Anti-Americanism in Pakistan upsets envoy’. It was reported that the American Ambassador in Pakistan said that the depth of anti-Americanism in Pakistan, especially in the middle class, has surprised her because Pakistan’s long term interests are aligned with those of other western countries.

‘I suspect that those who oppose American engagement in Pakistan have a limited understanding of how our partnerships—economic assistance and financial interaction-changed the lives of everyday Pakistani in real and positive way’, she said at a meeting with corporate leaders in Karachi. The meeting was organized by the Management Association of Pakistan.

She further reportedly stated that ‘it appears that people who come up with the most fanciful conspiracy theories do so in an attempt to distract the public from the true causes of extremism and poverty’. Reportedly she also warned that the increasingly prosperous middle class would be first to suffer because extremist were gaining grounds during the past two years.

She also stated that security assistance is an important part of American engagement with Pakistan. ‘Your military and security personnel and their civilian employees have been specifically targeted by the militants’ adding that more than 1000 people have been killed last year. ‘America is your partner in this fight and we seek to support on several levels’ she added.

One cannot deny that the Americans have been supporting Pakistan in many ways and in many areas. The successive governments of Pakistan have not only recognized this fact but also appreciated periodically. Not only it is with American assistance that Pakistan armed forces have benefited but even large number of police security officials has been able to get training because of the American assistance.

However it needs to be stressed here that there was no need to get upset if some member of the audience ask some embarrassing questions regarding some aspects of American policy towards Pakistan. Four factors need to be comprehended in order to understand why there exists anti-Americanism in Pakistan despite the fact the American assistance is certainly but periodically appreciated by the concern quarters.

First, many Pakistani vividly recall the number of times American let them down. Invariably the years 1962, 1965, 1971 and 1990 are quoted. Although many Pakistanis may have forgotten what happened in those years but many members of middle class are well aware of all the details and middle class everywhere is invariably educated and well versed in history. Despite having promised to consult alliance partner Pakistan before sending military aid to a non-aligned country in 1962 but ignoring Pakistan’s sensitivities and sending military aid to India without promised consultations was not appreciated by the Pakistani rulers.

Cognizant of heavy Pakistani dependence upon US, the stoppage of military aid in the wake of 1965 Indo-Pak war under the pretext that it was following an even handed policy to both India and Pakistan hurt Pakistan much more did not go down well with the Pakistanis. Despite being alliance partner in 1971, US did not come to the assistance of Pakistan as Soviet Union was helping India. Following the end of Afghan was in 1989, US once again abandoned and left Pakistan with all kinds of undesired burden including the load of Afghan refugees and those warriors which the American trained and equipped and at the beginning war and welcomed them as great Islamic warriors but now referred as militants.

Second factor that contributed towards anti-Americanism in Pakistan is the policy pursuits of the US after the tragic events of 9/11. A large portion of the Islamic world views American policies as unfair. Admittedly some miscreants from some Muslim countries were involved in militancy but this does not imply that the entire Islamic world consists of militants. Many Muslims all over the Islamic world including Pakistanis look at American policies as anti-Islamic campaign. Given the American intellectuals propagation of clash of civilizations, it is not surprising that such a perception gained popularity.

Third factor revolves around the emergence of a perception that Pakistan is fighting American war in the border areas of Pakistan. Although one cannot ignore the fact that some miscreants may have had worked hard to popularize this perception but the existing reality is that such a perception is popular in some quarters of Pakistani society.

Fourth factor that is continuously contributing towards the existing arsenal of anti-Americanism in Pakistan is directly linked with American policies with regard to India and Afghanistan. There are innumerable examples where the Americans have only given due considerations to the sensitivities of both the Indians and the Afghanis. Besides undertaking a unilateral action in Pakistani tribal areas invokes enormous resentments both in tribal areas as well as in other parts of Pakistan. It would be a wise step to let Pakistanis take the necessary action if needed but do give them credible intelligence information.

The American flawed policy pursuits in Afghanistan created lots of problems for Pakistan. It was at a very late stage- mostly in recent times- that the Americans began to acknowledge the mistakes they made in dealing with Afghanistan despite the fact that Pakistanis have been continuously reminding them that Pakistan is extremely keen to see a stable Afghanistan as it serves Pakistani interests yet Pakistan was constantly pressurized to do more whereas they could not see any flaws in their own and Afghanistan’s policies.

Given the past policy pursuits one can easily understand the raising of some awkward questions. The American envoy’s assurance of American support for the new democratic government would certainly go down well with many in Pakistan. Undoubtedly the scale of current American investments in Pakistan would certainly reflect positive view of American intension of long term view of relationships. The existing level of anti-Americanism will gradually erode and with each positive move would improve American image.

The writer works for Islamabad Policy research Institute.