Change in the U.S. tone towards Pakistan

Daily Times, April 06, 2006
US wants civilians in control of military By Rana Qaisar

* Boucher says AQ Khan investigations not over
* Suggests US-Pak N-cooperation unlikely
* US wants lasting ties with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The United States looks forward to the day that there is civilian rule in Pakistan and civilian institutions have supremacy over the military, the top US official on South Asia said on Wednesday.

“We firmly believe in civilian rule and civilian control of military in Pakistan,” US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher said at a press conference after meeting President General Pervez General Musharraf.

Asked if it is not a contradiction in US policy that while it supports a democratic society in Pakistan, it is silent on the issue of Gen Musharraf’s uniform, he said: “This (uniform) indeed is an issue. But we have to see how this issue is addressed by President Musharraf.”

However, Boucher expressed satisfaction at forward movement towards democracy and said the uniform issue was not an isolated one. “It (uniform) is part of the overall democratic process, which is moving forward,” he said.

“We will support free and fair elections. We will not side with any political party or group. We look forward to seeing Pakistan as a stable and moderate Muslim society,” he said.

AQ Khan: Responding to a question about Dr AQ Khan and nuclear proliferation, Boucher said investigations into a global underground nuclear proliferation network had not been abandoned. “It is an ongoing thing. We expect it to continue,” he said. “There is an ongoing cooperation and Pakistan has done good so far,” he said.

Responding to a question about a possible civil nuclear cooperation deal with Pakistan like the US has just made with India, Boucher said the issue was to meet Pakistan’s energy needs irrespective of the source. “We are trying to meet and achieve Pakistan’s energy goals,” he said, suggesting that there was no possibility of civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries.

“What we are doing with Pakistan, we are not doing with India. We are working with Pakistan on a long-term strategic partnership in the areas of economy, education, energy and the fight against terrorism.”

He did not agree that the US-India nuclear deal could spark a nuclear arms race in the region.

Washington has serious concern about the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, but supports a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, Boucher said. “We are also looking at other sources of energy including hydel, wind and coal.”

Musharraf-Boucher meeting: In the earlier meeting between Boucher and Musharraf, the president underlined the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation in the framework of the Pakistan-US joint statement on their strategic partnership issued during the recent visit by President George Bush, said an official statement.

Boucher said the US was committed to seeking a broader and lasting strategic relationship with Pakistan.