3. US-Pakistan Relations
Shahid Haved Burki (Dawn, Pakistan) tries to account for the level of American press coverage that President Musharraf's visit received. In light of the US' $3 billion grant to Pakistan, Sultan Ahmed (Dawn, Pakistan) the importance of using external aid in a timely and effective manner. Iffat Idris (Al-Ahram Weekly, Egypt) writes about Musharraf reaping rewards for loyalty to the US and that the general's "legitimacy of rule comes as much, if not more, from international acceptance than from a popular mandate." Some experts believe that the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement that the US signed with Pakistan resulted from political, rather than economic expediency.
"When Musharraf came calling"
"Allegiance pays"
"Effective use of aid"
"Trade pact with Pakistan reflects politics, not economics, critics say"
Khalid Hasan (Daily Times, Pakistan) faults the US for not leveraging its influence over Musharraf to press him on democratic rule, while Farhatullah Babar (Dawn, Pakistan), a senator for the Pakistan's People Party, highlights the shortcomings of Musharraf's travels. Given the recent shifts in geopolitics, Zubeida Mustafa (Dawn, Pakistan) judges the success (or lack thereof) of Musharraf's visit according to the 'core' issue: "By remaining rigid vis-à-vis Kashmir, Pakistan is driving itself into isolation." In the Daily Times (Pakistan), Ahmed Faruqui describes the impressions created by Musharraf's visit. (Musharraf's remarks during his visit to the US Institute of Peace are linked below, as well.)
"US fails to press Musharraf on democratic rule"
"The flip side of Camp David"
"Was the visit a success?"
"Op-ed: Musharraf reaches out to Californians"
"A Special Address by Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf"
In response to the British and American request for peacekeeping troops in Iraq, President Musharraf tentatively accepted "in principle." Although, recent reports suggested that Pakistan would wait until the security environment improves or the Iraqi people choose to welcome foreign troops. Ijaz Hussain (Daily Times, Pakistan) considers the effect of dispatching Pakistani troops on the country's image in the Middle East and on democratic rule at home.
"President decides to send troops to Iraq"
"Pakistan to wait for appropriate time: Troops for Iraq"
"Should we send troops to Iraq?"