The Pakistan Update

Some senior US officials fear that the future of American diplomacy might change because of the information contained in tens of thousands of secret diplomatic cables released by the web site WikiLeaks. The officials emphasized that foreign governments would be cautions in their dealings with the US, fearing that their communications with Washington and American embassies around the world could be compromised.

The State Department is trying hard to minimize the impact of the disclosure of this information cache. Following the publication of details from the leaked cables in media outlets around the world this past Sunday, (more…)

Tags: Diplomacy, foreign governments, secret, Secretary Clinton, State department, wikileaks

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By Ali Imran – APP

The United States said Monday Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s statement on consequences of a Pakistan-linked terrorist attack on American soil has been misrepresented in the media, with a top official empahsizing that the remarks in no way indicated any impact on flow of US economic or military aid for the key ally.

“As for Secretary Clinton’s interview on (CBS channel’s) 60 Minutes (program), I think that perhaps it was not fully understood for what she was saying by some people who didn’t see the full text or didn’t appreciate what she was saying,” US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke said.

The special envoy was commenting on interpretation of Secretary (more…)

Tags: Al Qaeda, Pakistan, Secretary Clinton, Taliban, US

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By Indira A.R. Lakshmanan – Bloomberg

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said wealthy Pakistanis should pay a larger share of taxes to fund schools and other social spending and depend less on development aid from the U.S.
“The very well-off” in Pakistan “do not pay their fair share for the services that are needed, in health and education primarily,” the top U.S. diplomat told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in a hearing today in Washington.

Clinton said the U.S., along with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, is looking for ways to pressure nations that receive loans and grants to broaden their tax base.
U.S. spending on Pakistan is designed to promote political stability, weaken terrorist elements and help the war effort in neighboring Afghanistan.

Clinton said while the U.S., which approved a non-military aid package granting Pakistan $1.5 billion annually for five years, is trying to boost trade and other investment opportunities in Pakistan, that country must also do more to generate its own revenue.

Tags: development aid, Non-Military Assistance, Pakistan Aid, Secretary Clinton

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QUESTION: The first question is in relation to the point you were discussing earlier, your visit to Pakistan. You went to mosque, you went to a (inaudible), you talked to students, you went to a police office where people were killed, you went to the museum of Iqbal, the man who (inaudible) Pakistan’s area. It was deemed in Pakistani media as a courageous act, your outreach. Even those who were critical of U.S. policy were appreciative of your courage and giving a message to the Pakistani leadership also.

What were the signs of hope, that in all that process, you saw in Pakistan?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first, the resilience and the courage of the Pakistani people. Everywhere I went, I met people who are speaking out and standing up and working hard, and that was extremely moving to me. I also felt like both the civilian government and the military leadership understood that the threat they faced had to be addressed.

(more…)

Tags: Afghanistan, Hassan Abbas, Hillary Clinton, Pakistan, Secretary Clinton, United States

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