MAR 4 - On Friday night, Air Force One flew through into the
Pakistani capital without lights to conceal the plane's
profile as it delivered Bush and his wife, Laura, from
India. Layers of security, including three helicopters that
circled overhead, shadowed Bush's motorcade as it ferried
him to the fortified U.S.. Embassy compound.
Bush's trip to Islamabad followed a three-day visit to India
where he sealed a civilian nuclear deal and
declared the new Indo-US partnership as a long term
strategic alliance "which will see India not only as a
regional leader but a world player" (counter-weighing China's
growing clout).
Pakistan has asked for the same deal, but Bush made clear
that was unlikely, using diplomatic language about the two
countries' "different needs and different histories."
"I explained that Pakistan and India are different countries
with different needs and different histories" and these
differences would be taken into account as the strategy
moved forward," Bush told reporters about his discussion with his
"buddy" Musharraf.
On the proposed natural gas pipeline deal between
Iran, Pakistan and India, Bush said "Our beef with Iran is
not the pipeline. Our beef with Iran is the fact that they
want to develop a nuclear weapon."
Bush said Musharraf brought this issue up with him, and
reportedly nothing came out of it except a zero sum game."He explained to me the natural gas
situation here in the country. We understand you need to get
natural gas in the region, and that's fine," Bush said.
Musharraf last month suggested Pakistan be compensated if
"any one wants us to give up the pipeline".
Whether he demanded such from Bush is any body's guess.
Bush did achieve one thing though. He made Musharraf recommit to the task of
hunting down terrorists still hiding and operating across
the globe.
"We will win this fight together," Bush said after more than
an hour of private talks with Musharraf. "While we do have a
lot of work to be done, it's important that we stay on the
hunt."
Bush addressed a joint news conference in which he said
"President Musharraf made a bold decision for peace, after
September 11, when he and his nation decided to join the war
against terrorism."
Such statement on Pakistani soil is symbolic of where the
country stood vis-a-vis USA on 9/11.
Things haven't changed much though, even after having made a
U-turn, made enemies within, given up a lot and delivered
"combatants, terrorists and Al-Qaedas" to USA.
Noting that it was imperative to hunt down al-Qaida
operatives, Bush suggested Pakistan could do a better
job sharing intelligence. "The key thing is that, one, it be
actionable, and two, it be shared on a real-time basis."
To rub it in, Bush added "Part of my mission today was to
determine whether or not the president is as committed as he
has been in the past to bringing these terrorists to
justice, and he is," Bush said.
Bush came to Pakistan despite terrorist dangers that
demanded extraordinary security, to bolster Musharraf who
straddles a delicate political divide, said one news agency.
Bush also nudged him to continue with his promise to return
civilian rule to Islamabad.
Imran Khan, a respected, cricket legend turned politician
was put under house arrest, as the two leaders reportedly
discussed the topic in their private meeting, besides other
serious matters.
Speaking to CNN, on his cellular phone, Imran said "While
Bush wants to spread democracy in the Middle East, he is
here in Pakistan, to support a military dictator".
Bush later watched a game of Cricket - a favorite pastime in
Pakistan; also had dinner with the Pakistani first couple
followed by entertainment.
No Pakistani mangoes were served, said a
Pakistani watcher.
The US first couple then took off from Islamabad, wrapping up their
historic trip to South Asia leaving behind "an ally" not
too happy, and a zero sum game to play on its behalf.
Seven seas away, The New York Times wrote "U.S. gives
India applause, Pakistan a pat on the back".
Also read:
 Musharraf's
Problems Are America's, Too
Musharraf
In The Hot Seat
Musharraf's
Other War
Pakistan-
Both Hare and Hound
Pakistan
- an American Trojan Horse?
How
Musharraf Survives |
