Sen. Kerry Slams White House Pakistan Strategy
Obama Plan "Is Not a Real Strategy"
Having just wrapped up his high-profile visit to Pakistan, Senator John Kerry (D – MA) pointed to growing turmoil in the South Asian nation, and slammed the Obama Administration for not having “an adequate policy or plan to deal with it.” According to Sen. Kerry, the “comprehensive new strategy” the administration presented last month “is not a real strategy.”
Sen. Kerry also cautioned the administration against talking about an “Af-Pak” policy. Though aimed at presenting the administration’s view that the two conflicts are inexorably linked through a unified US strategy, the senator says “it does a disservice to both countries and to the policy” and that the respective governments “don’t see the linkage.”
The administration’s plan mostly involves vague promises of “A New Way Forward” while making the Afghan government more accountable and providing “a vibrant economy” for Pakistan, at a time when that nation is increasingly moving toward total economic ruin.
During the visit, the Pakistani government pressured Sen. Kerry for more aid, and cautioned the US against attaching any conditions to the massive aid packages already proposed by the administration. Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani said any “strings attached” to the aid would eliminate any good will the US hopes to generate by providing billions to the struggling government.
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Christo Meyer
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:08 am
"Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani said any “strings attached” to the aid would eliminate any good will the US hopes to generate by providing billions to the struggling government."
The US is running a deficit budget. If the U.S.A. can't attach any strings to their financial aid, then they should let the Pakistanis borrow the money directly from the Chinese themselves. Why should the US have to borrow money from the Chinese in order to be able to extend financial aid to other countries anyways? If Kerry can't recognize this fact, then he should shut-up and retire.
wadosy
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:27 am
we know what the plan is, dont we?
we're supposed to decapitate pakistan, chase the chinese out of gwadar in south pakistan, and get rid of pakistan's nukes.
avigdor just demoted iran to third as the worst threat to israel, and says "Believe me, America accepts all our decisions."
…which must explain why obama's adhering so nicely to the neocons' plan for afghanistan and pakistan.
dr wu
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:52 pm
This is not a time for mere mortals running our government–bring back Dick Cheney–let him nuke the Taliban to smittereens, then torture whoever might be left.
This will keep the red meat crowd happy in this country. For the rest of us–get a grip, the Taliban used to rule Afghanistan and the Bush team did business with them over energy routes. Sure, 9/11 happened under their watch and George Bush happened under our watch. They'd be happy to rule their own country where they are the majority population. They'd be happy to sell us rights to energy routes. Let free trade rule. Put Cheney back in his lock-box.
wadosy
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i seem to be running into lots of trouble with this question:
if israel is entitled to a samson option, is pakistan also entitled to a samson option?