Senator Kerry was clearly told that Pakistan would never compromise on its sovereignty and core national security interests.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, PML-N chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in their separate meetings with Senator Kerry made it very clear that the bill was a matter of concern as it still failed to remove the apprehensions that the conditionalities had created. The senator also met President Asif Ali Zardari and ISI chief General Shuja Pasha.
Interestingly, the statement from the Presidency did not make any mention of what stand President Asif Ali Zardari had specifically taken regarding the bill in his meeting with Kerry and whether he had expressed concerns, if any. There was, however, a mention that the issue was raised in the meeting.
President Zardari expressed the hope that ROZs legislation would soon be approved by the US and counter-productive labour provision will be softened. He said that Pakistan looked forward to enhancement of area as well as product coverage in the ROZs scheme. He said that ROZs should not be seen as trade concession measures but an effective instrument to quell militancy and extremism.
The General Headquarters through a terse four-line statement issued by the ISPR barely acknowledged the meeting saying, “The visiting dignitary remained with the chief of Army staff for some time and discussed matters of mutual interests”.
DG ISPR, General Athar Abbas, when asked if the “clarification” added to the bill and the meeting between Kayani and Senator Kerry had changed the views from what it held publicly after the last corps commanders meeting, said: “We said at the time that it is up to the government and parliament to decide about the bill. Today, despite the ‘clarification’ and the meeting at the General Headquarters, our stance remains the same that it is up to the government and parliament to decide,” he told The News.
Senator Kerry, meanwhile, in his meetings stressed that the controversy over the Kerry-Lugar Bill was unfortunate, saying it was a genuine effort on the part of the US to build a long-term partnership between the two countries by investing $7.5 billion in the next five years in the socio-economic development of the people of Pakistan. Others who met him quoted him as saying that Pakistan was free to reject the aid if it so desired.
In his meeting with Gilani he once again stressed and hoped that the joint explanatory statement has successfully allayed the misgivings of the concerned circles in Pakistan. In all his meetings he tried to clarify that he wanted to reassure the leadership about the real intent of US Congress and administration to help Pakistan through the Kerry-Lugar Bill legislation.
Interestingly, Gilani has only recently, and that too under public pressure, talked about the intrusions that this bill contains. He, however, knows well that legally it is not possible to make any changes because it is now a law and has been signed by the US president.
The prime minister nevertheless stressed that Pakistan will never compromise on its sovereignty and core national security interests. He pointed out that the US administration should channel the assistance under the Kerry-Lugar Bill through the trust funds for uplift and reconstruction in the districts of Malakand Division and added that through Benazir Income Support Programme it could reach out the poor segments of society.
While underlining the importance of support of the masses for decisive victory, the prime minister highlighted the imperative of development aspect in his government’s strategy to gain the sustained support of the nation on this issue.
The prime minister apprised Senator Kerry of the dislocation of people that had already started and is expected to rise in the coming weeks. He urged the US and friends of Pakistan to come forward wholeheartedly to provide adequate financial assistance to cater to the needs of the dislocated persons. He emphasised that financial support was urgently required for the reconstruction of the affected areas in Malakand and Swat.
The prime minister said Pakistan would remain constructively engaged with the international partners including the US to promote the shared objectives of peace, security and development in Afghanistan. Pakistan looks forward to continued cooperation with the new elected government of Afghanistan in the best interest of peace and security of the region.
He also underlined the need for provision of market access for Pakistani products and for expeditious passage of ROZs Bill in this regard.
Nawaz Sharif stuck to the stand that his party had taken all along and in a luncheon meeting with the visiting senator reaffirmed that the bill, with its conditionalities, continues to cause concerns, which needed to be addressed to establish a relationship of trust and confidence between the two countries.
According to a statement from the party office, Sharif urged the senator to consider suitable measures to allay the doubts and misgivings that had arisen in Pakistan.
Sharif hoped that conditionalities would never come in the way of the US at any stage in fulfilling its commitments to Pakistan in the Kerry-Lugar Bill. This would be the real test of US credibility, he added.
The issue of Pakistan’s fight against militancy and terrorism also came up during Kerry’s meetings and he was informed by the civilian leadership that there was national consensus of all political forces in the country to eliminate terrorism and extremism on the basis of which military action is under way in South Waziristan.
Online adds: Talking to Senator Kerry, President Asif Ali Zardari again made it clear that Pakistan wants strong and stable relations based on principles while seeking timely reimbursement of over $1 billion on account of Coalition Support Fund (CSF) to Pakistan.
Briefing media, Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said in his meeting with US Senator John F Kerry matters relating to Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, bilateral relations, fight against militancy and terrorism and regional situation were discussed.
President Asif Ali Zardari thanked the US leadership for supporting democracy in Pakistan and said he looked forward to Secretary Clinton’s visit to Islamabad and holding of US-Pak Strategic Dialogue.
The president asked the US Senator to use his influence for timely reimbursement of over $1 billion on account of CSF. Senator John Kerry said that as laid in the Joint Explanatory Statement, the core intent of the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act is to demonstrate the American people’s long-term commitment to the people of Pakistan.
He hoped that this long-term assistance would help in bringing about qualitative change in the lives of the people of Pakistan, especially in the areas worst hit by militancy, through direct investment in needed areas such as infrastructural development, schools, roads and medical clinics.
Senator Kerry thanked the President for meeting him and assured that US would continue to provide all possible assistance to the democratic dispensation in Pakistan in strengthening democracy, rule of law, sustainable economic development and its capability to effectively take on militants.
The meeting at the Presidency was also attended by US Ambassador Anne W Patterson, senior officials of the Embassy and US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin and Interior Minister Rehman Malik.
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