Foreign Correspondence

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Bush administration under fire for designating Pakistan as 'major non-NATO' ally
By Channel NewsAsia's US Correspondent Priscilla Huff




WASHINGTON : The Bush administration's decision to designate Pakistan as one of America's 'major non-NATO' allies is generating controversy in Washington.

Critics say - given their still unanswered questions about the spread of Pakistani nuclear technology - it is a status that Islamabad does not deserve.

The pardon of Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, the so-called father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, has raised serious questions among some American lawmakers about relations between Washington and Islamabad, and also about Pakistan's new designation as a major non-NATO ally.

"Hasn't Pakistan already demonstrated that they can't control their own technology, much less ours?" Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman asked lawmakers.

"This double standard with regard to Pakistan makes a mockery of our non-proliferation efforts around the world. Mr Chairman, I have introduced legislation that would change the way the president can designate major non-NATO allies."

Congressional Democrats want Pakistan to provide some guarantees on democracy and nuclear controls in return for the alliance designation.

But the Bush administration wants to keep the non-proliferation issue separate.

"I think it's entirely appropriate to declare Pakistan a major non-NATO ally for reasons unrelated to this issue," said US Under Secretary of State John Bolton

Those reasons include the Bush administration's need for Pakistani help in the war against al-Qaeda and its allies.

Doug Bandow of the Cato Institute explained: "Obviously, the US is attempting to reward Pakistan for what it perceives to be as cooperation in the war on terrorism. And I suspect also that part of that is trying to bolster the Musharraf government."

But Congressional Democrats are not convinced President Pervez Musharraf deserves a reward when so many of their questions about Dr Khan and his activities remain unanswered.

Congressman Bill Delahunt asked Mr Bolton: "Have we had access to Mr Khan? We have not asked for access to Mr Khan and nor do we think we should."

The Bush administration maintains that it has been plain with President Musharraf that the White House needs full cooperation on the nuclear issue.

US policy watchers say Washington is in a tricky position.

Mr Bandow said: "I see this as part of a very difficult administration strategy of, how do you keep Pakistan close, get as much cooperation out of them, while recognising there're going to be limits? I mean, the whole problem on proliferation.

"My guess is that Pakistan made it very clear, 'We'll punish Khan to some degree, but don't expect anything real out of this.'"

The designation as a major non-NATO ally would give Pakistan access to US military technology, but analysts say exactly what it receives will depend on the level of cooperation.

Mr Bandow revealed: "There's obviously a lot of argument in Washington about how helpful they are. You know, the recent battles where they claimed they were going to get these high ranking al-Qaeda operatives and of course, they never turned up to be high-ranking al Qaeda operatives. This is something that will be determined in the future, it's not something that's been set yet."

Once the new status is formally announced, Pakistan will join countries like Kuwait whose Defence and Foreign Ministers were greeted here with full honours.

Beyond that, it is unclear exactly how useful the upgraded designation will be for Pakistan.

The US Secretary of State Colin Powell admitted - shortly after announcing the step - that, sometimes, the designation is more symbolic than practical. - CNA

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/americas/view/78305/1/.html