4. Pakistan-U.S. Relations
Karl Inderfurth, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, gave a major briefing of U.S. policy interests in South Asia. [Inderfurth's full comments appear at the first link below.] President Bill Clinton acknowledged that "Pakistan was our ally throughout the Cold War. Since I've been president, Pakistan on more than one occasion has helped us to arrest terrorists, often at some risk to the regime." He continued, however, to emphasize that his visit to Islamabad is "not a reward" for the Musharraf regime and to reiterate that the U.S. would not mediate on the Kashmir issue.
"Text: Inderfurth Outlines President's Goals for South Asian Visit"
"Pak visit is to an anti-terrorism ally: Clinton"
"Visit not a reward for Pakistan, says United States"
"US on the defensive over Clinton's Pak visit"
Chief Executive Pervez Musharraf said that President Bill Clinton's decision to visit Islamabad represents a gesture of support for the Musharraf government. Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar again expressed his hope that the U.S. would mediate a Pakistan-India dialogue over the Kashmir issue. Indian Ambassador to the U.S. Naresh Chandra said that New Delhi would not ask President Clinton to convey any messages to Islamabad.
"Clinton visit legitimises my govt stand, says Gen Musharraf"
"Sattar wants US mediation to ease Pak-India tension"
"No bitterness over Pakistan stopover: Chandra"
Pakistani analysis: M.B. Naqvi (in Dawn) argues that Pakistan and the U.S. can at least begin meaningful discussions on nine issues ranging from nuclear proliferation and transparency to narcotics trafficking. A Dawn editorial urges that the Musharraf government stop celebrating the existence of a Clinton trip and prepare to make it a valuable one.
"Visit: Hopes & Prospects" M.B. Naqvi
"Clinton is coming after all"
Indian analysis: K. Subrahmanyam (in Times of India) argues that the Clinton visit to Pakistan works to India's advantage because Clinton will press the Pakistani government to make the kinds of changes that India desires as well. Sunanda K. Datta-Ray (originally in the International Herald Tribune) fears that the Clinton visit to Pakistan will intensify Indian public opposition to U.S.-India relations and lower further the possibility for a substantively meaningful outcome to the South Asia visit.
"Thank God Clinton's stopping in Pak" K. Subrahmanyam
"Clinton's decision not to help peace" Sunanda K. Datta-Ray