IPRI :: Islamabad Policy Research Institute

WHAT HAPPENED TO AMERICAN COMPASSION

Mariya Noor

Pakistanis do not grudge this American preference, which is solely dominated by economic gains, although one does wonder if the American people have not forgotten the values and lofty ideals of their founding fathers? Today's Americans particularly their political leadership are too deeply involved in narrow goals and personal profit and are easily influenced by sponsored lobbies and allow themselves to get misguided by vested media campaign and propaganda. It is unfortunate that the most powerful and a highly liberal nation with faith in abiding human values has become captive to a small influential minority which so brazenly practices in oppression, injustice and brutalities and yet remains America's darling!

Similar distortion is clearly visible in Senator Wellstone's remarks, accusing Pakistan for 'mistreatment of refugees from Afghanistan, refugees fleeing not only from drought but the cruelty of the Taliban regime that Pakistan itself helps maintain in power'. To say that the remarks are incorrect would be a gross understatement. The Senator knows, how Pakistan had taken care of more than 3.3 million Afghan refugees at the height of Afghan Jihad, which ironically now has become Afghan terrorism! Even today, 1.8 million Afghan refugees are located on Pakistani territory despite severe economic problems faced by Pakistan. Have the Americans ever taken such large number of refugees to the U.S.? Doling out financial aid in dollars is one thing and sharing the real social and economic hardships and problems of the Afghan refugees, another. In all honesty the Afghans do not flee from Afghanistan due to Taliban cruelty but from the extreme economic hardships caused by the nature as well as the attritions of war and deplorably the UN sanctions. For the unjust treatment being given to the Afghan people by the West for their immense sacrifices, it blames Taliban and Pakistan. Talibans are not a pleasant factor in Afghan situation nor are the northern renegades. But should the innocent people be punished for it?

Thank you, Senator for being honest about defining American relationship with Pakistan now on its own merits. Should it mean that our 54 years long relationship was not based on merits and was merely an American exploitation? Does it mean that from containment of the Communists to recognition of China and fighting the Soviet aggression in Afghanistan were wasted years and efforts? Can supremacy of national interests be so shamelessly without loyalty?

It is paradoxical that the American ruling elite worry over much, about Pakistan's internal affairs with fanciful terminology; i.e. human rights, democracy, non-proliferation etc without showing any concern for the same in the oppressive Arab monarchies and dictatorships and their darling state. For how long would they follow this double standards? Other American concerns relate to terrorism and drug. Here too, Americans seem unfair with Pakistan, when they without justification assume that Pakistanis could facilitate surrender of Osama bin Laden and prevent poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. They must have been surprised to learn that merely through an edict, the Taliban leadership banned poppy cultivation and the edict was obeyed in letter and spirit. Do they know that today the Afghans are a deweaponized society? Admittedly, Taliban edicts against social and moral crimes are very harsh and their religiosity and backwardness even more unbearable, but what else should be expected from an Afghan generation which has grown from one of the most cruel wars, with no education and severe social and economic deprivations? They can be reformed through sympathy and support and not pressures and sanctions. It is time the Americans understood the Afghan situation with some pragmatism and stop blaming Pakistan for their own failures to shoulder responsibilities as the only super power.

The greatness that they are blessed with should shine with Christian justice and compassion and must not get corrupted from Jewish arrogance.

On 27 June 2001, US ambassador designate to Pakistan, Mrs. Wendy Chamberlin, appeared before the South Asian Affairs sub-committee of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for nomination hearing. The Sub-Committee was chaired by Senator Paul Wellstone (Democrat). The hearing exposed American views and perceptions about Pakistan which are held and expressed at higher political levels, which putting very mildly were highly disturbing, not only in contents but also in quality. The American tilt towards India was quite obvious.

Pakistanis do not grudge this American preference, which is solely dominated by economic gains, although one does wonder if the American people have not forgotten the values and lofty ideals of their founding fathers? Today's Americans particularly their political leadership are too deeply involved in narrow goals and personal profit and are easily influenced by sponsored lobbies and allow themselves to get misguided by vested media campaign and propaganda. It is unfortunate that the most powerful and a highly liberal nation with faith in abiding human values has become captive to a small influential minority which so brazenly practices in oppression, injustice and brutalities and yet remains America's darling!

Similar distortion is clearly visible in Senator Wellstone's remarks, accusing Pakistan for 'mistreatment of refugees from Afghanistan, refugees fleeing not only from drought but the cruelty of the Taliban regime that Pakistan itself helps maintain in power'. To say that the remarks are incorrect would be a gross understatement. The Senator knows, how Pakistan had taken care of more than 3.3 million Afghan refugees at the height of Afghan Jihad, which ironically now has become Afghan terrorism! Even today, 1.8 million Afghan refugees are located on Pakistani territory despite severe economic problems faced by Pakistan. Have the Americans ever taken such large number of refugees to the U.S.? Doling out financial aid in dollars is one thing and sharing the real social and economic hardships and problems of the Afghan refugees, another. In all honesty the Afghans do not flee from Afghanistan due to Taliban cruelty but from the extreme economic hardships caused by the nature as well as the attritions of war and deplorably the UN sanctions. For the unjust treatment being given to the Afghan people by the West for their immense sacrifices, it blames Taliban and Pakistan. Talibans are not a pleasant factor in Afghan situation nor are the northern renegades. But should the innocent people be punished for it?

Thank you, Senator for being honest about defining American relationship with Pakistan now on its own merits. Should it mean that our 54 years long relationship was not based on merits and was merely an American exploitation? Does it mean that from containment of the Communists to recognition of China and fighting the Soviet aggression in Afghanistan were wasted years and efforts? Can supremacy of national interests be so shamelessly without loyalty?

It is paradoxical that the American ruling elite worry over much, about Pakistan's internal affairs with fanciful terminology; i.e. human rights, democracy, non-proliferation etc without showing any concern for the same in the oppressive Arab monarchies and dictatorships and their darling state. For how long would they follow this double standards? Other American concerns relate to terrorism and drug. Here too, Americans seem unfair with Pakistan, when they without justification assume that Pakistanis could facilitate surrender of Osama bin Laden and prevent poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. They must have been surprised to learn that merely through an edict, the Taliban leadership banned poppy cultivation and the edict was obeyed in letter and spirit. Do they know that today the Afghans are a deweaponized society? Admittedly, Taliban edicts against social and moral crimes are very harsh and their religiosity and backwardness even more unbearable, but what else should be expected from an Afghan generation which has grown from one of the most cruel wars, with no education and severe social and economic deprivations? They can be reformed through sympathy and support and not pressures and sanctions. It is time the Americans understood the Afghan situation with some pragmatism and stop blaming Pakistan for their own failures to shoulder responsibilities as the only super power.

The greatness that they are blessed with should shine with Christian justice and compassion and must not get corrupted from Jewish arrogance.