PDA

View Full Version : Rice: 'Pakistan Can be Model For Rest of Islamic World"



Nbadan
03-17-2005, 01:46 AM
March 17 (Bloomberg) -- Pakistan, a key ally in U.S.-led war on terrorism, is a pivotal country in South Asia and can be a model for the Islamic world, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during a visit to Islamabad.

Rice, ``appreciated Pakistan's constructive role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan,'' Pakistan's government said in a statement issued late yesterday after Rice held separate meetings with Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Rice arrived from India for two days of talks to boost relations between the countries. She is scheduled to meet Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri today after making a brief visit to Afghanistan.

The U.S. in 2004 designated Pakistan a major ally outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Pakistan has supported the U.S.-led war against terrorism that began after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon and extended intelligence and logistical support to U.S. forces for their operation in Afghanistan to oust the Taliban regime and al-Qaeda terrorists it was harboring.

more:Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=a9rHFihTnQtI&refer=asia)

I wonder, exactly, what parts about Pakistan Ms. Rice likes? The fact it is a military dictatorship? The fact that it rewards its top scientists for exporting Nuclear research and technology to rouge nations? The fact that the Pakistan equal to the U.S. CIA, the Pakistan ISI helped train and, some say, helped 'certain' members of Al Queda escape from Tora bora?

NeoConIV
03-17-2005, 09:36 AM
Which would be more effective, positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement? Many middle eastern coutries still have a dangerous underbelly. Musharraf desperately needs positive reinforement from a US Secretary of State. Gives him much more leverage with the radical elements of Pakistan, lest he lose the power struggle.


By Rice stating the positive, she is not denying the negatives, no?

Nbadan
03-17-2005, 01:41 PM
Which would be more effective, positive reinforcement or negative reinforcement? Many middle eastern coutries still have a dangerous underbelly. Musharraf desperately needs positive reinforement from a US Secretary of State. Gives him much more leverage with the radical elements of Pakistan, lest he lose the power struggle.

So now that the U.S. is supposedly 'getting serious about spreading Democracy across the Middle East' we are supposed to look the other way with countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Pakistan, virtual dictatorships, because they know how to play the U.S. carrot and stick game?

NeoConIV
03-17-2005, 01:56 PM
Before we go there, do you agree with Rice's comments or not, based on the obvious rationale? Still disagree?

Nbadan
03-17-2005, 02:00 PM
Before we go there, do you agree with Rice's comments or not, based on the obvious rationale? Still disagree?

I completey disagree. Rice should have just kept her trap shut. Her visit is symbolic enough of the adminstrations support for President General Musharraf. No need to salt raw Middle East wounds with this type of ludicrious comment.

Nbadan
03-17-2005, 02:05 PM
What message are we sending to other countries in the Middle East? A dictatorship and ancient Feudal systems are alright as long as you play by U.S. rules?

NeoConIV
03-17-2005, 02:37 PM
I completey disagree. Rice should have just kept her trap shut. Her visit is symbolic enough of the adminstrations support for President General Musharraf. No need to salt raw Middle East wounds with this type of ludicrious comment.
Ok, no problem. I found her comments reasonable and productive.

exstatic
03-17-2005, 02:45 PM
What? That a military dictatorship should be a "model"?