U.S. move strengthens Musharraf’s hands

By B. Muralidhar Reddy, The Hindu, Sunday 16 March 2003

ISLAMABAD MARCH 15. The decision of the United States to waive coup related sanctions against Pakistan has little economic significance but carry enormous political significance, particularly for the President, Pervez Musharraf.

Though the White House has been quick to point out that the decision has nothing to do with its diplomatic wooing game in the context of the Iraq crisis, the timing of the announcement is bound to give room to such an interpretation.

The wording of Mr. Bush’s announcement lends scope for such inference. The Presidential memorandum for the Secretary of State provides that the waiver would facilitate the transition to democratic rule in Pakistan; and is important to United States efforts to respond to, deter, or prevent acts of international terrorism.

These sanctions were imposed in the third week of October 1999 in the aftermath of the bloodless coup that saw the ouster of Nawaz Sharif as Prime Minister and ascendance of Gen. Musharraf as the Chief Executive of Pakistan. In simple words, the decision means Washington has put its seal of approval on return of democracy. It should offer some solace to Gen. Musharraf who is battling demands for reversal of changes he has made in the Constitution and that he step down as Chief of Army Staff.

Logically speaking, as has been pointed out by the Pakistan Information and Media Development Minister, the sanctions should have been lifted after the general elections in October last year. Of course, U.S. could argue that it waited for installation of the Senate, inaugurated earlier this year, before lifting the sanctions.

In economic terms, Pakistan is expected to benefit to the tune of $250 millions per annum. Most of it would be in the form of aid to development and education-related projects.

Washington had lifted the bulk of the economic and defence-related sanctions, imposed after the May 1998 nuclear tests by Islamabad, after Pakistan joined the U.S.-led coalition in the so-called war against terrorism. Pakistan provided logistical support to America to launch military operations against the Taliban regime in pursuit of Al-Qaeda and its chief, Osama bin Laden.

Months after it emerged as the frontline state, the U.S. waived over $600 millions in debt, revived the Defence Consultation Group and helped it reschedule its debts with the Paris Club. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank suddenly turned soft and agreed to provide Poverty Reduction and Growth Fund at concessional rates.

Reacting to the announcement from the U.S., Pakistan welcomed the waiver of sanctions. The spokesman avoided reference to the military coup.

A Foreign Office spokesman told the state-run radio, Pakistan welcomes the waiver of the sanction 508. He said a detailed comment would follow after receiving official communication from the U.S.

Interestingly, along with the waiver decision, the White House also chose to make public the forthcoming visit of the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, to the U.S. and his scheduled meeting with George W. Bush on March 28.

Ahead of this, Mr. Jamali is to visit China from March 24. During his three-day visit, Mr. Jamali would hold talks with the Chinese leaders on bilateral and regional and international issues.

Incidentally, Mr. Jamali would be the first head of a Government to visit Beijing after the leadership change.

Pakistan and China enjoyed deep-rooted relations and they have identical views on all major international issues, an official announcement said. Immediately after his China leg, Mr. Jamali is travelling to the U.S. at the invitation of Mr. Bush from March 26 to 28. Mr. Jamali is scheduled to have a luncheon session with Mr. Bush on March 28.

Though technically and legally, Gen. Musharraf has transferred power to the civilian set-up headed by Mr. Jamali, the U.S. continues to treat Gen. Musharraf as the man in charge.