Drones on the table as Nawaz meets Obama today

The United States of America, currently recovering from a government shutdown after a debt duel with the opposition Republicans, found itself pushed to the wall yet again as a damning report by a prominent rights group accused it of possible involvement in war crimes by carrying out drone attacks on innocent civilians in Pakistan and Yemen.
The report by Amnesty International couldn’t have come at a better time for Pakistan as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be calling on President Barack Obama at the White House today (Wednesday), with the drone issue topping the list of items on Nawaz’s agenda for the meeting.
Though no breakthroughs are anticipated on contentious issues like the drone strikes, as the US considers it an effective tool against al Qaeda-linked terrorists taking shelter in Pakistan’s tribal areas, however, Nawaz’s first meeting with Obama is being seen as crucial for setting the tone for bilateral relations until the end of the latter’s term in office.
According to sources, the two sides will also discuss resumption of the stalled strategic dialogue as agreed during Secretary of State John Kerry visit to Islamabad in August this year, as well as economic ties and Afghan reconciliation process.
The strategic dialogue started in 2010 and three sessions were held within 2010, in March, July and October. But then several events derailed the process and no meeting has been held since October 2010.
According to media reports, the US will discuss and finalise the extent of Pakistan support for the smooth withdrawal of most of its combat troops from Afghanistan next year and for Pakistan to use its influence with the Afghan Taliban to stop militancy and join the reconciliation process initiated by Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
AMNESTY REPORT: On Tuesday, an Amnesty report “’Will I be next?’ US drone strikes in Pakistan” claimed that killing of Pakistanis in US drone strikes may amount to war crimes or extrajudicial executions.
Based on restricted and rare access to the region, the report documents nine strikes that occurred in 2012 and 2013 and the deaths resulting from these in Pakistan’s north-western areas, including the killing of Mamana Bibi, who was a 68-year-old grandmother and a 14-year-old boy.
NAWAZ CALLS FOR END TO DRONES: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must have been pleasantly surprised with the timing of the Amnesty report as he called for ending drone attacks on Pakistan’s territory being a ‘major irritant’ in the bilateral ties.
Nawaz was speaking at the US Institute of Peace, a think tank where the gathering included US Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson, Aid Coordinator Ambassador Robin Raphel, and top American experts on South Asian affairs.
The Pakistani prime minister said the relationship should be based on mutual interest and respect. He said drone strikes were a violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity. “They are also detrimental to Islamabad’s resolve and efforts at eliminating terrorism from the country,” he said, adding the drone operations had agitated and disturbed the Pakistanis.
“This issue has become a major irritant in our bilateral relationship – I would, therefore, stress the need for end to drone attacks.”
He said contrary to perceptions, the relations between Pakistan and the US had stood the test of time. “Despite the occasional hiccups, the solid foundation of this vital relationship has always weathered the occasion storms and turbulence,” he added.
“As democracy takes root in Pakistan, there is a scope for building a strong and stable partnership between the two countries. They should be based on mutual respect and mutual interest as so clearly articulated by President Obama in his Cairo speech.”
Nawaz said Pakistan and the US shared perceptions and interests on a wide range of issues, including Afghanistan, peace and stability in South Asia and the Middle East, as well as extremism and terrorism.
“Despite the planned drawdown, there will be continuing need for close cooperation between the two countries, especially in Afghanistan,” he said.
The prime minister also reiterated his call for greater trade access for Pakistan to the US and invited American entrepreneurs to invest in Pakistan’s energy and other sectors.
“The new PML-N government is resolved to put the Pakistani economy, which it inherited in a shambles, on a strong footing. Economic development and security situation are interlinked,” he added.
He also underscored his commitment to regional peace, saying Pakistan wanted a peaceful Afghanistan and desired improvement of relations with India.
INDO-PAK TIES: He also said the United States, as it advances relations with India, would be in a position to help Pakistan and India resolve their outstanding issues.
Nawaz appreciated Washington’s past role in defusing tensions between Pakistan and India.
The prime minister termed Kashmir a flashpoint and saw no difficulty in resolving the longstanding dispute once Islamabad and New Delhi engage in dialogue.