Sherry admits ties with US not normal

In her first public engagement since assuming office two weeks ago, Ambassador Sherry Rehman reached out to the Pakistani American community and sought their support to bring Pakistan and United States closer together.
“This Embassy is not going to work alone in Washington. It is going to work with many ambassadors, which are yourselves, to attempt to change the way this important bilateral relationship works,” Ambassador Rehman said.
Referring to Pakistan-U.S. relations, the Ambassador said these are certainly not “normal” times. The relationship between U.S. and Pakistan has never been as important, yet the tensions have never been so grave. We witnessed repeated episodes in recent times which undermined the relationship.
For the first time in the history of the country, a comprehensive Parliamentary review is under way to establish new principles for this relationship. The review will reflect a multi-partisan parliamentary consensus and the support of the Pakistani people.
She said Pakistan speaks today as one united voice, including the government and the people, and we will have one united policy toward the United States. This is an opportunity to reset this relationship in a transparent, consistent and predictable manner.
“As Pakistani Americans, I want you to know that I will rely heavily on you as the extended arm of this Embassy and its Consulates in getting our message delivered to the American public. Every one of you is our mouth piece. Every one of you is our lobbyist,” she added.
We want to remain friends with the United States but our relationship must be based on mutual interests, respect and shared values.
“Our friends in the United States must know that our sacrifices in the war on terror far outnumber those of any other international or NATO coalition partner in Afghanistan. Yet, I am not here with a grievance narrative.”
She said Pakistan-U.S. relations should move from dependency to partnership, from aid to trade. We would prefer to be economic and political partners and not just battlefield allies.
Speaking about democracy in Pakistan, she said that this was the first time in 30 years that a democratically elected civilian government in Pakistan is nearing completion of its constitutionally mandated term—a remarkable achievement. The Government is committed to pluralism in Pakistan, but faces daunting obstacles, many of which have to do with the tide of extremism roiling the region.
One of the Ambassador’s priorities would be the formation of a Pakistan-American leadership caucus, which would serve as the main vehicle for strategic interventions to build a new relationship with the U.S., and to promote the new Pakistan. She would also initiate a new cultural outreach program to showcase the “real Pakistan”, one which is quite different from perceptions in the West.
She would encourage and motivate the younger generation of Pakistani Americans to become “tomorrow’s leaders”, who are integrated in political, economic and social cultures of both countries.
Ambassador Rehman especially assured members from all religious communities hailing from Pakistan that the Embassy and its Consulates General would always welcome them and that their empowerment was in fact, the Missions’ empowerment.
Paying homage to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who laid down her life against terrorism, Ambassador Rehman said that “her iconic figure” always inspires her to serve the nation to the best of her own ability. She said she was honored that President Zardari and PM Gilani had entrusted her with such a challenging task at one of the most critical and sensitive times in the Pak-US relationship.
Around 200 representatives of the Pakistani American community from Washington D.C. and the tri-state area attended the event.