The United States and Pakistan should stop saying “do more” and “no more”, respectively, and realign their strategic relations for durable peace in the region, said senior scholar Brian Katulis.
He expressed these views while speaking at a media roundtable conference arranged by the US Consulate at a hotel on Saturday.
Katulis, a visiting US scholar and senior fellow at Washington-based think tank ‘Centre for American Progress’, Public Affairs Attache Kevin T Nurajami and a large number of journalists attended the programme, where the Pak-US relations on the war against terror and Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan were discussed in detail.
Interestingly, the US scholar termed the present tension between the two countries as ‘political theatrics’. There are some serious points that need to be worked out by sitting together. There is a dire need to rebuild diplomatic contacts on both sides after the Osama Bin Laden raid,” he added.
“The ongoing tension between the US and Pakistan are only due to rising frustration among the officials of both countries and can only be eased when both sides stop saying do more and no more.”
Terming the recent statements from senior US officials against Pakistan as irresponsible, the scholar said that most American people do not recognise such leaders. “The US does not want to invade Pakistan or attack the country.”
Katulis pointed out that presently there is strong cooperation between the two countries; whether it is people-to-people or university-to-university cooperation.
“We need to get back and work together and decide what kind of country Pakistan wants to be; like Turkey or Somalia. We have to have strategic partnerships and a mature relationship.”
He said the US has interests in establishing stability in the region. Leaders from Pakistan and the US should be candid and more open to discussions.
“Besides, there is a dire need to reactivate Pak-Afghan ties as the US cannot achieve success without Pakistan’s support.”
Throwing light on the ongoing war in Afghanistan, Katulis said the American taxpayers are concerned about the huge amount of money being spent in the war against terror.
“The Americans are worried about the billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money spent in the war against terror, as the US itself is facing many crises like unemployment and weak economy,” Katulis added.
“So far, some $450 billion have been spent in the Afghanistan war and the US cannot just walk away from the war-torn country in such a situation. The costs [of war] are much, much greater than what we are achieving in Afghanistan. And, if the US loses out in Afghanistan, the impacts would fall on the neighbouring countries including Pakistan.”
To a question about the backing of Haqqani network in Afghanistan, the scholar alleged that both the Central Intelligence Agency and Inter-Services Intelligence had been supporting the network at different times. “The history is written in books; these things need to be explored.”
About geographical changes in Pakistan, he stated that no such change will occur in the near future.
Later, talking to Pakistan Today, Katulis plainly rejected the general assumption that the US has finally made the decision to end friendship with old ally Pakistan by raising the Haqqani network issue.
“No matter what people say, but it is crystal clear that both countries will continue working together.”
The scholar was of the view that the US wants to see a more prosperous and sovereign Pakistan for its own national interests, but the statements made by the US foreign minister was a different view.
Expressing surprise over the strong reaction of Pakistan over US allegations, Katulis said it appears the statements have touched the nerves. “I am surprised with the Pakistani reaction and the emotional statements [coming out of the country]. By showing such a reaction, Pakistan wanted to protect the nation’s honour and sovereignty, but it suggested that, psychologically, there is a problem.”
