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Conditions on security assistance to Pakistan failed to yield results: Mattis
[DAWN] US defence secretary-designate James Mattis has warned that putting conditions on US security assistance to Pakistain has not always produced the desired results."Conditioning our security assistance has a mixed history in the case of Pakistain, but I will review all options if I am confirmed," Mr Mattis said at his confirmation hearing. "In particular, we should be aware of any behaviour that supports Pakistain-based murderous Moslem groups," he added. This was a veiled reference to the argument, often made in the US capital, that sanctioning Pakistain has had negative effects. In the 1990s the United States slapped sweeping sanctions on Pakistain to prevent it from testing nuclear weapons. Those who oppose sanctioning Pakistain point out that it did not prevent the country from going nuclear, mainly in response to similar tests by India, and reduced US engagement with the country allowed terrorism to flourish. Mr Mattis, who appeared before the Senate panels on Thursday and Friday to explain the policies he would follow as the defence secretary, said he would consult the Senate Armed Services Committee before making any decision on attaching conditions to US security assistance to Pakistain. Mr Mattis said he would work to build bridges with Pakistain and to restore the trust that has eroded in recent years. But, at the same time, he would also urge Islamabad to "neutralise" murderous Moslem groups that allegedly operate within its borders. Posted by: Fred 2017-01-15 |
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