The joint press conference by Clinton and Khar indicates that an understanding has been reached between the US and Pakistan on the divisive issues that had brought the two countries to a face-off. It is equally clear that details of the understanding which are important have yet to be worked out. Both sides have demands that have been repeatedly voiced by them. Pakistan wants the US not to assign any role to India in Afghanistan. It wants the Haqqani network and Afghan Taliban to be brought to the negotiating table. There is also the demand that Nato take action against the terrorists, some of them from Pakistan, who after taking shelter in Afghanistan are launching attacks inside Pakistan. Pakistan also wants resumption of aid which has been put on hold.
One does not know to which extent Pakistan’s concerns have been addressed. Clinton, however, repeated what she had said a day earlier in Afghanistan. She not only demanded action against the safe havens used by Haqqani network and other terrorists but also to help bring the Afghan militants to the negotiating table. The demands include a greater sharing of intelligence to enable the US-led Nato troops to prevent and intercept the efforts by the Haqqanis or the Taliban to try to cross the border or to plan an attack. Washington, thus, is seeking some sort of a hammer and anvil operation on both sides of the Durand Line with coordination between the US-led troops and Pakistani security forces.
It is clear that Washington does not rule out giving peace a chance, as suggested by Gilani. Keeping in view the helplessness expressed by Karzai and the futility of Washington’s own efforts in the direction, the US wants Pakistan to take the lead in bringing the militants to the negotiating table. What is important is that it has to be done within days and weeks. It appears that agreements were reached with a consensus between the civil and military authorities. One hopes that both sides would abide by their agreements reached in letter and spirit.
