By APP,
New York : An influential U.S. newspaper Monday called on the Bush administration to back a plan for a $2.5 billion additional non-military aid to Pakistan as it urged the newly elected government to closely monitor developments along the Pak-Afghan after a peace deal with tribal leaders.
“The administration and Congress should approve that aid immediately,” The New York Times said in a lead editorial, referring to the proposal by Senator Joseph Biden for what he calls “democracy dividend” aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s battered institutions and improve the daily lives of Pakistani people.
“That will give the new government more political room to go after the militants if yet another peace deal falls apart,” the editorial said. “And it is the only hope of persuading Pakistanis that this is more than just Washington’s fight.”
The Times also lauded the performance of the new government, which is headed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. “The new democratic government so far has exceeded expectations: rival politicians are cooperating and they have promised to lift media restrictions and make other needed reforms. It deserves Washington’s support and some time to find its way,” it said.
The Times noted that the deals that President Pervez Musharraf cut with the tribal leaders were “always disastrous” as the Taliban and Al Qaeda used the time to regroup and launch attacks both inside Pakistan and against Afghanistan.
Expressing doubts whether the new government would have any more luck, the editorial said, “The new leaders will need to do a better job than Mr. Musharraf monitoring developments along the border. And they need to develop a military fallback plan for when this deal falls apart.
“It is not surprising that the new government is trying to set its own course. When then-General Musharraf and the United States did battle the extremists, both showed a lack of concern for civilian casualties. Mr. Musharraf never tried to explain why it was in Pakistan’s interest to fight at all. It was always Washington’s war.”
The editorial noted that the top militant leader—an obvious reference to Baitullah Mehsud—had ordered his fighters to halt activities in the regions as negotiations for the peace deal proceeded.
“The Bush administration doesn’t like the deal, but its own policy failure is undeniable,” The Times said. “The C.I.A. calls the lawless border ‘a clear and present danger’ to Afghanistan, Pakistan and the West.
A recent Congressional investigation says the administration never developed a comprehensive plan, “one integrating diplomacy, intelligence, law enforcement and economic aid” to address that clear and present danger.
“Since 9/11, the United State has poured $10 billion into Pakistan” mostly for ex-General Musharraf’s army. But it has not crushed Al-Qaeda or managed to shut down militant safe havens. American intelligence officials say Al-Qaeda is gaining strength in its Pakistani refuge.”
The editorial added, “American officials need to work quietly with the new government to lay the ground for a new military strategy, should the peace agreement unravel. And it needs to do a lot more to help strengthen Pakistan’s democracy and improve the lives of ordinary Pakistanis.”