Truth or Consequences
By David Glenn Cox
I recently read this article from the “Dawn” newspaper in Pakistan. I found it interesting because of the way it was being spun in Pakistan and played down in America. The article reminded me of the old Truth or Consequences game show where they would separate husband and wife or grandmother and grandfather and ask them the same questions for their different perceptions.
True or False?
“ISLAMABAD: America’s plans for a major expansion of its diplomatic presence in Pakistan, including the possible takeover of a bombed luxury hotel near the Taliban heartland, have heightened tensions and bred rumors in a population rife with anti-US sentiment, AP reports.”
Legitimate Fear?
“Among the tales being floated: that 1,000 US Marines will land in the capital, that Americans will set up a Guantanamo-style prison and that the infamous security contractor once called Blackwater will come in and wreak havoc.”
News here that’s not news there.
“The frenzy, much of it whipped up by the media and political parties, shows the difficulties for the US as it seeks to increase its engagement in a country where a flourishing militant movement is threatening the war effort in neighboring Afghanistan.”
If you believe this one, Uncle Bernie has an investment fund for you!
“The US says it needs to expand mainly to disburse billions of dollars more in aid to Pakistan, an impoverished nation of 175 million people.”
How to spot a sharp Pakistani.
“Pakistanis tend to view US motives with suspicion, pointing to a history of American support for the country’s past military rulers and involvement in its internal affairs, which they say has stunted the economy and democratic aspirations.”
No mention of contractors or Blackwater or the black artist formally know as Eric Prince.
“In recent weeks, several newspapers have published unconfirmed reports that 1,000 US Marines will be posted at the US Embassy in Islamabad — which would be a significant jump from the nine there now. US officials say at most the number may reach 20. Marine security guards are routine at US missions abroad.”
In Afghanistan many of the contractors guarding the embassy staff are Indian Gurkhas. I wonder how that will play in Islamabad?
A new prison or perhaps a franchise opportunity?
“The head of the political party Jamaat-e-Islami, which has demonstrated against the expansion, recently claimed that the US also plans to build a Guantanamo-like prison, according to a newspaper report. The US denies the claim.”
And we’re going to guard it with twenty Marines!
“Rumors aside, the embassy does plan to reconstruct the buildings on its 38-acre compound and acquire an additional 18 acres, much of which will be used for apartments, embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said.
About 1,450 employees work for the embassy: 1,000 Pakistanis, 250 Americans posted to the site and another 200 Americans on short-term assignments. The plan is to add around 400 people, including about 200 more posted US staffers, Snelsire said.”
Right, 400 new people just to see where the money goes!
“The major reason for the growth is a proposal in Congress to triple nonmilitary aid to Pakistan, he said.
"The legislation would provide $1.5 billion a year over five years in humanitarian and economic aid. The goal is to improve education and other areas, thereby lessening the allure of extremism.
‘There are Congressional demands for oversight of where that money is spent,’ Snelsire said, explaining the need for more personnel.”
Just bookkeepers and accountants.
“There are more modest expansion plans for consulates, including the one in Peshawar, the main city in the militant-riddled northwest. The State Department is searching for a new site for that consulate, long believed to be a key hub for American spies.”
Good to have your plans laid out in the long term like that, especially since seven years will take us into a presidential election season in America.
“He said the expansion would happen over five to seven years and stressed that many of the current facilities are old, decrepit or small.”
Dear Mr. Editor.
“The United States has tried to stem the bad publicity by writing letters to newspapers and holding briefings for the Pakistani media, but rumors persist.
‘There is a lot of, frankly, just misinformation out there, and it keeps getting published just over and over by a few journalists,’ Snelsire said.
"One recent Internet account alleged the US was bringing in private security contractors such as the company formerly known as Blackwater. Now called Xe Services, the firm’s reputation was severely tarnished by reports of unprovoked killings in Iraq.
"The blogger who wrote the account called Blackwater ‘the private US mercenary army’ and said that reports of ‘ill-mannered military-type Westerners misbehaving’ was evidence the company was setting up in Pakistan.
"Xe Services did not immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment.”
No denial? The government knows their plans for the next seven years and XE has no comment?
The article is an attempt to allay Pakistani fears, but in their efforts they tell more truth than is palatable in this country. The embassy plans tell a tale of an ever-expanding presence purchased with 7.5 billion dollars in aid money. From a country with over seven million people unemployed and with ten million homes foreclosed and the largest long-term debt problem in the nation's history.
This is a story told to Pakistanis, but it is all too familiar to Americans as the candy and flowers story. Which will become flowers and boxes and unintended consequences of a new war slated to run well into the next decade if not longer. The fate of which will be decided by the president we choose in 2016, or by the one we chose in 2008.
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/14-US-embassy-plans-spur-concern-in-Pakistan-zj-09
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