The United States called for more international economic resources to help Pakistan deal with Taliban insurgency as part of a broader security and stabilization effort in its tribal areas along the restive Afghan border. “First of all, I think, you have to go at economic and social roots of the instability in Western Pakistan,” US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told CNN in an interview. Citing low economic and literacy indicators in the remote tribal areas he claimed “it is a breeding ground for the kind of rebellion which is now springing up.” The diplomat said Pakistan is confronted with a “dangerous situation” in the facing of spreading militant influence. Richard Holbrooke, Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan under the Obama administration, is a top-ranking American diplomat, magazine editor, author, professor, and investment banker who served as Country director for Peace Corps Morocco between 1970 and 1972.
Holbrooke urges more support for Pakistan in its anti-terror fight
Holbrooke urges more support for Pakistan in its anti-terror fight
WASHINGTON, April 20 (APP): The United States called for more international economic resources to help Pakistan deal with Taliban insurgency as part of a broader security and stabilization effort in its tribal areas along the restive Afghan border.
“First of all, I think, you have to go at economic and social roots of the instability in Western Pakistan,” US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke told CNN in an interview.
Citing low economic and literacy indicators in the remote tribal areas he claimed “it is a breeding ground for the kind of rebellion which is now springing up.”
The diplomat said Pakistan is confronted with a “dangerous situation” in the facing of spreading militant influence.
He also expressed concern over the Swat peace arrangement but distanced himself from the scenario projected by security expert David Kilcullen.
“I’ll let him (Kilcullen) speak for himself,” Holbrooke replied when asked to comment on the current situation in the light of the expert’s suggestions.
Ahmed Radhid, a leading Pakistani expert on Afghanistan and Central Asia, also disagreed with doomsday scenarios painted by some experts for the country.
“I dont think it can immediately collapse, it is a big country, 170 million peopole, very many different enthnic groups. But certainly the spread of the Taliban in the Punjab is critical,” Rashid told the same GPS program of the channel.
In his appearance, Holbrooke underscored that it is for the first time Pakistan, India and the United States are facing “a common threat, a common challenge and a common task because of this.”
“So, we need more resources. Senator (John) Kerry (Democratic chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee) and (Ranking Republican) Senator (Richard) Lugar in the Senate and Congressman (Howard) Berman, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs are putting in a bill for $ 1.5 billion dollars of aid for the next five years, each year.
“It should deal with the economic and social issues in the tribal areas.”
The Obama Administration pledged one billion dollars “in quick aid” at last week’s Tokyo conference of Friends of Pakistan, he said, adding that the US assistance requires Congressional approval.
On the military side, he said, Pakisan needs to strengthen its Frontier Corps and other security forces in counterinsurgency operations.
He also pointed out the importance of winning the propaganda war against militants.
At the same time, Holbrooke acknowledged the complexity of the challenge facing Pakistan as he called it a “tremendous set of problems.”
The progress in fight against terrorists in Pakistani border areas is critical to stemming the the tide of violence in Afghanistan, he argued.
