Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Pakistan: U.S. ambassador claims opposition wants pro-U.S. government

   In an interview on BBC the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter claims that he had spoken to two leaders of  Pakistani opposition parties and they had both promised that they would create pro-U.S. governments if elected.
     The two leaders were Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan. Munter announced in May that he was quitting his post this summer. According to an article here the two leaders also said that they would cooperate unconditionally with the U.S. in the war on terrorism. Surely this would mean that the two would support drone attacks in the tribal regions since this has been a key part of the U.S. war on terror. Perhaps Munter does not fear to report events such as this since he is leaving. Munter's statements will be used by more radical Islamic parties to claim that they alone are the true opposition.
   Khan the head of the popular PTI has long criticized the ruling Pakistani People's Party as simply being a client of the U.S. Both have condemned the drone attacks. There has of now been several motions in parliament demanding the attacks must stop.
  Immediately after the reopening of the NATO supply routes the U.S. initiated more drone attacks. Pakistan has denied that they had agreed to the attacks and repeated its opposition. Khan has issued a reply to Munter's remarks here.
   Khan said the PTI is neither  “pro nor against the US, it takes a position based on its policies. Thus, the PTI has consistently opposed American war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s partnership in it. " Khan said that would try to build an enduring relationship with the U.S. based on common interests and mutual respect. However on issues such as supporting the U.S. in the Afghanistan war he was opposed to U.S. policies and this included that reopening of NATO supply routes.



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