Pakistan-United STates Relations

By SHAFIQ-UR-REHMAN SOLANGI

INTRODUCTION

•The foreign policy of Pakistan aims to: o Develop friendly relations.o Safeguard vital security.o Resolve core issues.o Portray a strong image.o Augment economic and commercial interests.o Protect interests of Pakistanis abroad

HISTORY1947-1971

• US established diplomatic relations with Pakistan on October 20, 1947.

• These relations developed against the backdrop of the Cold War and since then this relationship has been based on economic and military assistance.

• Pakistan's relations with the US improved in early 1950s’ when President Eisenhower came to power

• In 1954, Pakistan signed a Mutual Defence Agreement the US and subsequently became members of SEATO and CENTO.

• These treaties put Pakistan under US influence and thus Pakistan was used as a base for military reconnaissance flights over Soviet territory.

SEATO South East Asian Treaty

Organization

September’ 8, 1954

• Members: Australia, France, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.

• Purpose: oEstablish a collective security arrangement for Southeast Asia.o Enhance trade relationships.

•Reasons for its failure: o Lack to willingness to resolve issues. o Ultimate inability of the other SEATO nations to act militarily.

Ayub’s Era(1952-1969)• Beginning of a cosy relationship with

the US...

• 1953- Food Crisis Aid

• 1954-Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement– First military assistance from the US– ‘exclusively to maintain our internal

security...and legitimate self-defence’

CENTO Central Treaty Organization

1955

• Members: Iran, Iraq, Turkey and United Kingdom.

• Purpose:o U.S. pressure and promises of military and economic aid were key in the negotiations leading to the agreement.o Counter the threat of Soviet expansion in Middle East oil producing countries.

• Reasons for failure:• Did not intervene in the Arab-Israeli Conflict.• Was unable to prevent Soviet expansion in member states (Egypt, Syria, Iran, etc)

• Pakistan as a strategic partner in completing the ring of containment around Soviet Union.

• Significance of SEATO and CENTO– Military aid increased to $500 million by

1957– Further strengthening of US-Pak

relationship– Became United States' "most-allied ally"

in Asia.

Ayub’s Era(1952-1969)

• U2 Crisis of 1960

– July 1957 - U.S. requested permission from Pakistan for the establishment of a secret U.S. intelligence facility in Pakistan

– Location: Badaber, 10 miles from Peshawar

– April 9, 1960 - U-2 spy plane of the special CIA unit crossed the national boundary of the Soviet Union and flew over four Soviet top secret military objects but was detected by the Soviet Air Defence Forces .

Ayub’s Era(1952-1969)

• U2 Crisis of 1960

– Pakistan became a ‘wholehearted ally’ which undertook ‘real responsibilities and risks’ by providing facilities ‘highly important to US national security’.

– Compromise on Pakistan's security and worsened relations with the Soviet Union

– Soviet Union threatened the nuclear annihilation of Pakistani cities

Ayub’s Era(1952-1969)

• Indus Water Treaty in 1960 and half a billion in US funds

• Pakistan’s growing friendship with communist China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war irked the U.S

• The 1965 Indo-Pakistani War – embargo on arms shipments to Pakistan and India – The ban remained in place during the Indo-Pakistani

War of 1971.

Ayub’s Era(1952-1969)

• Army Chief General Yahya took over power from President Ayub Khan in March 1969. The country had been in a pseudo military rule since 1958

• Elections of 1970• The military government did not hand over power to the

winning party and in a political deadlock, unleashed a crackdown against the East Pakistan population.

• This led to a limited civil war in 1971 and India siding with the dissidents launched a war in December 1971

• US policy in this debacle was aligned with the military establishment of Pakistan due to its earlier links and defense relationships.

Pakistan-U.S RelationsDuring 1969 and 1971

• On the other hand, President Nixon used the Pakistani links

with China to start a secret diplomacy with China which culminated with Henry Kessinger’s secret visit to China in July 1971 while he was visiting Pakistan .

• The Chinese relationship was vital for the US as it was trying to fix the mess in its Vietnam policy.

• With these concerns, the US administration neglected the internal domestic issues of Pakistan and allowed the dictator to have its way in East Pakistan.

• Rather than focusing on their domestic problems and working effectively to find solutions, the military rulers in Pakistan had been focusing in international affairs and the Great Game and considered the close relationship with the US as a guarantee for their own domestic survival.

• America supported Pakistan throughout the war and supplied weapons to West Pakistan although Congress had passed a bill suspending exporting weapons o the nation

• United States-Pakistani relations preceding the 1971 war were characterized by poor communication and much confusion.

• The administration of President Richard M. Nixon was forced to formulate a public stance on the brutal crackdown on East Pakistanis by West Pakistani troops that began in March 25, 1971

• It maintained that the crackdown was essentially an internal affair of Pakistan in which direct intervention of outside powers was to be avoided

• The Nixon administration expressed its concern about human rights violations to Pakistan and restricted the flow of assistance

• Despite the United States widely publicized "tilt" toward Pakistan during the 1971 war, Pakistan's new leader, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, felt betrayed

• In his opinion, the United States could have prevented India from intervening in Pakistan's civil war, thereby saving his country the trauma of defeat and dismemberment. Bhutto now strove to lessen Pakistan's dependence on the United States

• The signing of the India-Soviet Union Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Cooperation in August 1971, while not a mutual security treaty, was viewed in Washington as a blank check to India in its confrontation with Pakistan. President Nixon warned Soviet officials not to encourage India and informed India that if it started a war with Pakistan, the United States would cut off aid

• On November 22, 1971, India launched an offensive against East Pakistan. The Nixon Administration cut off economic aid to India, and Nixon himself decided to "tilt" toward Pakistan

• This pro-Pakistan policy included support of Pakistan in the United Nations and pressure on the Soviets to discourage India, with accompanying hints that U.S.-Soviet détente would be in jeopardy if Moscow did not comply. When Nixon learned that Indian war plans were designed to liberate "Bangladesh" and southern Kashmir, and to destroy Pakistan’s military armored and air strength.

• He ordered the U.S. carrier Enterprise and its escorts into the Bay of Bengal. At the President’s instruction, Kissinger met with People's Republic of China Ambassador to the United Nations Huang Hua to brief him on the crisis and U.S. actions, and to suggest that China make military moves in support of Pakistan.

Z u l fi q a r B h u t t o ’ s E r a1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 7

Relations before and during 1971 war• Poor Communication and much confusion

• President Nixon formulated a public stance on the crackdown by West Pakistani troops in East Pakistan

• Military aid to Pakistan was suspended which resulted in the cooling of relationship

Bhutto’s Presidency (1971-1973)

• After 1971 war Pakistan once again realized that US can support India against China but can’t support Pakistan against India.

• Bhutto now strove to lessen Pakistan's dependence on the United States.

• Pakistan withdrew from Southeast Asia Treaty organization (SEATO) in 1972

• He reluctantly sustained the country’s role in the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) but later on he cut Pakistan ties with CENTO too.

Bhutto as a Prime Minister (1973-1977)

• Bhutto re-evaluated the nature of Pak-US relations.

• Indo-Soviet Treaty of 1971, China-US rapprochement and the Pakistan military’s need for the US equipment forced him to call for a continued alliance with USA.

• In 1976, Pakistan ran in trouble with the US over the issue of acquisition of a nuclear processing plant

• After Pakistan’s nuclear deal with France, the relations between the Bhutto regime and the US deteriorated and military aid from USA was again suspended.

GENERAL ZIA’S ERA1980-1988

The Soviet- Afghan war • General Zia seized power in Pakistan in a 1977

coup. US opposed this dictatorship and stopped all economic and military aid to Pakistan as a result

• Under Section 669 of the (FAA) Foreign Assistance Act, aid was suspended because of Pakistan’s secret construction of a uranium enrichment facility

• However after Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in Dec 1979, Pakistan became a frontline state against Soviet expansionism. Fighting a proxy war for the US.

• An offer to Pakistan of $400 million in economic and security aid by the Carter Administration in early 1980 was turned down by President Zia-ul Haq as “peanuts.”

• In September 1981 Reagan Administration negotiated a $3.2 billion, 5-year economic and military aid package with Pakistan – Pakistan’s superior negotiation !

• Congress added Section 620E to the FAA, giving the President authority to waive Section 669 for Pakistan on grounds of national interest

The Soviet- Afghan War

Arms and Narcotics aid • Pakistan became a funnel for arms supplies to the

Afghan resistance, as well as a camp for three million Afghan refugees

• Nov 1982: the latest radar systems for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter planes transferred to Pakistan by President Wilson.

• Wilson negotiated a major weapons deal with Pakistan on behalf of the Israelis to support the Afghan war. The deal included delivery of T-55 tanks – enemies turn friends?

• 1982-1989: US Turns Blind Eye to Pakistani Government Involvement in Heroin Trade

Economic Aid to Pakistan

• Between 1977 and 1986, the country experienced an average annual growth in the GNP of 6.8%, one of the highest in the world at that time

• 1981 - $3.2 billion, 5-year economic and military aid package with Pakistan.

• A $4 billion, 6-year aid package for Pakistan was signed in 1986.

• October 1990, under the provisions of the Pressler Amendment, President Bush suspended most economic and all military aid to Pakistan as well as deliveries of major military equipment suspended.

• One major loss was the non delivery of some 71 F-16

fighter aircraft ordered in 1989.

• Narcotics assistance of $3-5 million annually was exempted from the aid cutoff

Economic Aid to Pakistan

Sharing of Intelligence Networks

• Pakistan's ISI and Special Service Group cooperated with the CIA and

the United States Army Special Forces to support the armed struggle against

Soviets.

Military Aid • In 1981, the Reagan Administration sent the first of 40 F-16

jet fighters to the Pakistanis. 

• October 1980: Former President Nixon Indicated Pakistan’s Nuclear Weapons Program may continue  

• The way forward … Zia began a series of “highly secretive meetings to explore trading its nuclear technology to other countries. The urgency of this project was felt as the Soviet Union decided to end the Afghan war in 1986 and Pakistan realized US aid was finite.

Unstable Democratic

Governments1988-1999

Pak-US Relations in governments under

Benazir BhuttoDecember 1988 to August 1990

October 1993 to November 1996

Major events

• Increase in Islamic fundamentalism

• Intensification of Kashmir proxy war.

• Taliban’s creation

Policies• Pak-US relations remained on a mixed note

during her tenures• Many people saw her as Pro-western And Pro-

democracy but that wasn’t really the case• Wanted friendly mujahidin regime in Afghanistan.• Initiated a program designed to make Pakistan a

central member of both the Islamic bloc and the Trans-Asian axis.

• Pakistan emerged with distinct roles such as center for finance, military and technology among the Muslim countries.

Dec.1988- Aug.1990• Benazir Bhutto had to pay back billions of

dollars in loans made to Zia-ul-Haq• Pakistan faced heightened tensions with

India over Kashmir and problems associated with the unresolved Afghan war on the international front.

• U.S. aid and most arms sales to Pakistan were suspended when President Bush could not certify to Congress, that Pakistan does not possess a nuclear explosive device.

Oct. 1993- Nov. 1996• The free and peaceful elections of October 1993,

were welcomed by the US.• In 1992 US relaxed sanctions on Pakistan to allow

food and economic assistance to NGOs.• However US continued to be concerned about

reported terrorist activity, regional dissidence, and human rights abuse.

• The United States strongly supported Pakistan's economic reform efforts, including privatization of public sector industries, trade liberalization policies, and efforts to attract international investment.

Nawaz Sharif’s Governments

• Elected twice as the 12th Prime Minister of Pakistan

• First term: 1 November 1990 to 18 July 1993

• Second term: 17 February 1997 to 12 October 1999.

Pak-U.S Relations during Nawaz Regimes

• Diplomatic ties between the two states: Unfriendly• Reasons:

1. Inclination towards establishing an ISLAMIC Society

2. Allegations of having links with Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden

3. Being alleged for “not cracking down on the Taliban as it flourished in Afghanistan and influenced the Northwest Frontier Province Now KPK

The Nuclear Dilemma

• Neither India nor Pakistan is signatories of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) or the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

• Pakistan carried out its successful nuclear tests on 28 May 1998, and on 30 May 1998.

• Justification: National Security

The Nuclear Dilemma…• Various Sanctions imposed by the U.S:1. U.S. Aid Cut-off in 19902. Non-delivery of some 71 F-16 fighter aircraft

ordered in 19893. In 1998, President Clinton imposed economic

and military sanctions on Pakistan: Section 102 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA)

4. Any U.S. exports to Pakistan required a Commerce Department license, and most license requests reportedly were denied

Pakistan-U.S Relat ionsPost 9/11

George W. Bush• September 11 attacks planted sour

seeds early in the Bush Administration

• Bush’s main focus was the Middle East (Bahrain, Philippines, Thailand, Kuwait, Morocco, Pakistan)

• More co-operation demanded from the Pakistan Government

Pakistan’s Foreign Policy-Post 9/11

• Remolding itself into a more co-operative ally

• Joining the ‘War On Terror’

• “We've captured 689 and handed over 369 to the United States. We've earned bounties totaling millions of dollars…” – P.M.

Post 9/11 Era• Afghan war. Bush’s statement.• 2003: US forgave $1 billion in Pakistani debt.• Oct 2005: Condoleezza Rice’s statement

regarding Kashmir earthquake• 11 Jun’ 08: US airstrike on Pak-Afghan border

killed 10 members of paramilitary frontier corps.• Nov 2008: Mumbai attacks• Iraq war stance: Prime minister Jamali’s statement.

Present Re la t ions and Obama Admin is t ra t ion

Present Relations Obama elected in Nov 2008.

A stable, democratic, prosperous Pakistan is considered vital to U.S. interests.

The Obama Administration states an intention to continue pursuing close and mutually beneficial relations with Islamabad.

“ In the past, we too often defined our relationship with Pakistan narrowly. Those days

are over.... The Pakistani people must know America

will remain a strong supporter of Pakistan’s security and

prosperity.”- Barack Obama

The Aims of newly seated U.S. Administration

• A new concentration on stabilizing Afghanistan.

• The appointment of US special representative

Pakistani officers are now allowed to view video feeds from unmanned American drones and to access U.S. intercepts of militants’ communications.

• October 2009: U.S. Aid Package

• A new $7.5 billion U.S. aid package for Pakistan

• Expect to receive approximately 1.3 billion for 2010.

• Growth in anti-Americans feeling in Pakistan.

• Pakistan military Operations

• Result of US demand of ‘Do More’ and external pressure

• Relation remains fragile e.g. Faisal Shahzad incident.

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US GAINS

• An ally against Russia• Used it for building relations with China• Only representative in the region• Ally in War against terror• A strategic partner• Ally in SEATO and CENTO

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DIVERGENT IN INTERESTS• Pakistan’s enemy is India while America’s is

Russia and China• USA wanted a strategic partner while

Pakistan a supplier of military hardware• America support to Generals while people

want democracy• America support to Israel while Pak is against

it

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DIVERGENT INTERESTS

• USA differential treatment to Pak and India, Pak want preference

• USA exploits Pakistan time to time ,while Pakistan want permanent relations

• Dual policies of America

• Different interests in Afghanistan

• Difference on Pak’s relations with China

Cont…..

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DIVERGENT INTERESTS

• Abandoning Pakistan in 1965 and in 1971.

• Conspiracies in Pakistan ,Taliban, Baluchistan issues

• On nuclear issues

• Allegations against Pakistan of terrorism

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CURRENT STATUS

• After taking Oath Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that we want bilateral relations with US but not on cost of our Sovereignty

• Pakistan envoy in UNO moved resolution on drone attacks

• Double standard for Afghan and Pakistan TALIBAN

• Pakistan played key role in US – TALIBAN break through

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RECOMMENDATIONS• Relations should be at par and balanced with US• Pakistan must come up with clear cut foreign policy,

free from US supremacy • Competent and capable policy makers and officials• More appreciations of new realities interests of

America in the region ,Pak, China and Afghanistan• Support of democracy in Pakistani

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RECOMMENDATIONS• Conspiracy against Pakistan in Baluchistan is not

acceptable at any cost• Giving role to Pakistan in Afghanistan• Continuous support to Pakistan ,military as well as in

economics• Developing Pakistan's economic base and

infrastructure• Balancing between Pakistan and India

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•Respecting the wishes of Pakistanis•No threats to Pakistan•Instead of military oriented relations, multipronged bases be explored.•No Nuclear threats to Pakistan

RECOMMENDATIONS

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CONCLUSION• Pak US Relationships till today has been many ups and

downs• US has never been a trusted friend in the hours of need• Adoption of defective policies has tilted our balance

more and more in favor of US• US extended only cordial relation to US when needed

however international relations demand a balanced approach

• It is the right time that we should set our goals in right direction in order to avoid any embracement in future