gazoomartian
Prime Minister (20k+ posts)
One would wonder why has the good ol US of A suddenly become bossom buddy with Islamabad before exit in 2011. Is this an attempt to make even more dependent on US, like India in terms of outsourcing and telecom, China for manufacturing of goods, now NWFP. Its a known fact that US does things for any country, specially a Muslim country, when she wants something or has to relying on them. Could it be that US sees Pakistan helping Afghan taliban to weaken Kabul and destroy Indian plan in Afghan? Since Americans have long history of betraying 'friends' (yes its along list), a Muslim country would be justified to be skeptical because of sudden love affairs between Washington and Islamabad.
Could it also be that they are trying to be 'good guys' prior to an all out assault on our Kahuta Nuclear Research Lab? We do know there is huge presence of Americans manpower and weapons brought in from Afghan and stored not too far from the Lab. And we shouldnt forget the shipment of 3000 bullet proof jackets waiting at the warehouse to be picked up by the US Embassy staff.
Even tho I truly believe that the best help US can provide is to leave the region, but if these assistance are truly based on sincerity and mutual respect then we should welcome their efforts and have no misunderstanding unless something happens on the contrary. Just wait and see.
A special note to the Americans. If you are providing cash assistance please do us all a favor. Please earmark 20% (used to be 10% but now inflation has to be taken care of) of all cash aid to be gifted to our officials, vis-a-vis Zardari, Gillani, Malik, Qureshi, Fauzia Wahab and we cant forget CM of Sind, Gov of Punjab etc. This would really help the country, in that, there will be no confusion, no NAB cases, no unnecessary accustion of money looting etc.
Anyways, if all this meeting can bring kosher help to us, it would be indeed a timely assistance. Good work on part of both capitals. Hopefully no strings attached [clap]
Dawn news:
" WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday pledged to work to improve market access for Pakistani goods including through special economic zones as the two nations sought to turn the page on years of distrust.
Pakistan and the United States said they would seek a wide-ranging, long-term and substantive strategic partnership after two days of talks led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
In the joint statement, the United States said it was committed to work towards enhanced market access for Pakistani products as well as towards the early finalization of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones legislation.
The proposal would give duty-free access to products from designated parts of the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan in a bid to create new industries in the longtime Taliban stronghold as they rebuild from fighting.
Two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington and Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, proposed the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones last year but the bill has languished in Congress.
The United States has launched a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar aid package for Pakistan as part of a major initiative by Washington to chip away at anti-Americanism and support for extremists.
But some Pakistanis say that the United States has done too little to create a demand for its products, with key exports such as textiles facing prohibitive tariffs.
The joint statement said that the two nations will also discuss drafting an investment treaty to encourage US funds in Pakistan.
Clinton and Qureshi took part in the talks on Wednesday, while on Thursday the two nations held working groups on issues including improving water access to parched Pakistan. "
Source: Dawn
Could it also be that they are trying to be 'good guys' prior to an all out assault on our Kahuta Nuclear Research Lab? We do know there is huge presence of Americans manpower and weapons brought in from Afghan and stored not too far from the Lab. And we shouldnt forget the shipment of 3000 bullet proof jackets waiting at the warehouse to be picked up by the US Embassy staff.
Even tho I truly believe that the best help US can provide is to leave the region, but if these assistance are truly based on sincerity and mutual respect then we should welcome their efforts and have no misunderstanding unless something happens on the contrary. Just wait and see.
A special note to the Americans. If you are providing cash assistance please do us all a favor. Please earmark 20% (used to be 10% but now inflation has to be taken care of) of all cash aid to be gifted to our officials, vis-a-vis Zardari, Gillani, Malik, Qureshi, Fauzia Wahab and we cant forget CM of Sind, Gov of Punjab etc. This would really help the country, in that, there will be no confusion, no NAB cases, no unnecessary accustion of money looting etc.
Anyways, if all this meeting can bring kosher help to us, it would be indeed a timely assistance. Good work on part of both capitals. Hopefully no strings attached [clap]
Dawn news:
" WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday pledged to work to improve market access for Pakistani goods including through special economic zones as the two nations sought to turn the page on years of distrust.
Pakistan and the United States said they would seek a wide-ranging, long-term and substantive strategic partnership after two days of talks led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi.
In the joint statement, the United States said it was committed to work towards enhanced market access for Pakistani products as well as towards the early finalization of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones legislation.
The proposal would give duty-free access to products from designated parts of the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan in a bid to create new industries in the longtime Taliban stronghold as they rebuild from fighting.
Two Democratic lawmakers, Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington and Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, proposed the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones last year but the bill has languished in Congress.
The United States has launched a five-year, 7.5 billion-dollar aid package for Pakistan as part of a major initiative by Washington to chip away at anti-Americanism and support for extremists.
But some Pakistanis say that the United States has done too little to create a demand for its products, with key exports such as textiles facing prohibitive tariffs.
The joint statement said that the two nations will also discuss drafting an investment treaty to encourage US funds in Pakistan.
Clinton and Qureshi took part in the talks on Wednesday, while on Thursday the two nations held working groups on issues including improving water access to parched Pakistan. "
Source: Dawn
1737098126-0/sidra--(4)1737098126-0.png)
