Richard Olson says Pakistan has moved away with from strategic depth policy
Wednesday, August 1st, 2012 9:33:12 by Faisal Farooq
Richard Olson, who is nominated by President Barack Obama to replace with Cameron Munter, said that Islamabad has moved away from the old strategic thinking of finding strategic depth in Afghanistan.
Giving his confirmation hearing to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Olson avoided usual criticism on Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan. He was of the opinion that the positive development in Islamabad needs to be encouraged wide and large.
He cited Islamabad’s action as well as the policy statements made by its leaders that their country has no plans to use Afghanistan as strategic patch.
He observed, “On the question of, this has been a doctrine that Pakistanis over the years have talked about strategic depth. One of the ideas is that Afghanistan represents strategic depth against a potential conflict with India. My sense is that the Pakistani military and Pakistani government has moved away from that”.
These remarks by the diplomat came days after Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman strongly advocated to a major security forum that Pakistan has no desire to treat Afghanistan as its strategic backyard.
Richard Olson also stated that Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had made some public comments about moving away from the doctrine of strategic policy.
While replying to a query, the ambassador-designate also referred to Pakistan army’s steps toward that end.
He noted, “Chief of the Army Staff Gen (Ashfaq Parvez) Kayani has redeployed his forces internally to deal with the internal threat, and heavily towards the border (with Afghanistan) to deal with the threats emanating from that region”.
In his view, there are bases a strategic level for some further discussion with the people in Islamabad and these are honestly positive advances that they would like to support.
He also remarked, “It is important that discussion take place against the context of some predictability in the overall (US-Pakistan) relationship”.”
He expressed hope to bring to the relationship some sense that Washington wants to replace a transitional relationship with a long-term ties with Islamabad.
The US assistance for Pakistan helps show that their ties were not short-term but long-term, he added.
Tags: Afghanistan, Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Islamabad, Kabul, Pakistan, Richard Olson, United States, WashingtonShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=30094
Posted by Faisal Farooq
on Aug 1 2012. Filed under Pakistan, USA.
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Richard Olson is talking some sense not like the asshole others American christians swines
I have a question regarding the mutual relationship and understandings between the high end officials.
I am a normal person in Pakistan and to be true i dont need US AID its not helping me or any one here.
Pakistan has given enough of sacrifices since 1979 first to deploy millions of immigrants in Pakistan secondly our economy was badly affected due to our friendship with USA while the USA enjoys good economy taking oil from arab states and trying to make stories and enter countries
No one has the bals to ask them why are they killing millions of civillians
Iraq, Palestine, kashmir indian occupied, Bahrain, Afghanistan and now Pakistan
If ahuge military active country like US cant control afghans how can Pakistan support them ?
You bomb us and our children and we look at you smilingly ?
Let me tell you just for 9/11 how many muslims did you kill till today ?
who is the real terrosit now ?
and even after giving so much of sacrifices pakistan isnt co-operating ?
I suggest shove your funds into your ass we Pakistani public dont need it and please dont enter Pakistan we are not Palestinis we dont hit by stones
well put ali ……
I agree with you. they should get out of our country…what they want from us? We are a poor nation..we like to be like that. we don’t need your funds…
Dear Mr Richard Olson
Only one question. Please visit our tribal Areas with translators and see what u did in this country.
I agree with my brothers. I remember the words of Meraj khaled. He was care taker prime minister at one time. He said that A nation that has been eating grass for the last 60 years. would,nt make any difference to them if they eat more. I mean to say that American aid is meaningless for this nation. If we get aid or not. we will be eating grass.
They fool.
Pakistan never give up this policy.
USAID and other funding agencies are working for specific areas. The specific areas are Education, Health and social reforms. Funding agency is working for betterment. USAID is not here to put money in pocket of individuals. kindly make your thoughts positive.
and if you will come at terrorism. thn you must look at the Government policy, you will be able to understand the whole story.
Shahrukh Malik
Ex. Project Director
LCW University, Lahore PK
Its true with friendship of US we only get corruption, violence and bad economy. They still want from us to do more. Their civilian casualties in this war of terror (yes, its a war of terror where each side doing its best to spread terror across the globe) is almost zero. While we have daily bomb blasts across Pakistan.
We are really happy that Richard Olson has spoken some realities & wishes good & ever lasting relations with Pakistan. And avoid criticising Pakistan all the time.
He has also made it clear that Pakisatan has no intensions to use Afghanistan as its strategic
background. Well the whole world has phyically seen. That Afghanistan is a country that can’t be invaded or captured even by the whole world. So Pakistan has no fear that India can use them for their purposes.
I think if USA takes Pakistan Nation favors & sympathy the things will rapidlly improve. So the honesty & sincerity is highly needed at this point for peace & security in this region
I tottally agree with Ali.Pess of United States.It is weakness of our leaders that States creating difficulties for us.
You must leave us in peace.I know US is the biggest terrorist not poor people in Afghanistan or Iraq.
This is all due to oil and killing inocent muslims.
America has never been a good friend of Pakistan.All the past evidences of history advocate this.America wants to weak Pakistan harrying and involving Pak army from one point to another instructing them to “do more”. and then once Pak is weak or disintegrated it will be revolving round India,like, bangladesh and srilanka.And now why we have reached at this point because our leaders have sold our honor,dignity and self respect in lieu of dollars.Because we have selected these thieves to trade our honor.Isn’t it a fact that we select the rappers, murderers,robbers from the same clan and gloat on our selection.are we blind.are we so dimwitted . How shameful. we havn’t yet woken up from the illusion that America is our “friend”.Why cant we maintain our dignity like other south east asian countries, like malayesia and indonesia.We need leaders like Mahathir Mohammad who could talk to these Americans looking in the eyes directly.If you dont defend your honor people will assume you have none.We need to stand our own ground.
they have to talk some sence now after pakistan took two brave actions of cutting the nato supply and making them leave the shamsi air base. now all their toks will be to please pak.
Pakistan will remain a by-state of USA .. It is a US by-state since 1956… HEnce, it will remain same unless the regime change.. Doesn’t matter which party is in the government.. … REGIME OF Punjabi Military + Sindhi Feudal Lords… If US collapsed then the anti US superpowers like Russia and China will never forgive US puppet regimes of Pakistan, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar and South Korea… However, Pakistan still come out of this US led alliance, by following the examples of Malaysia, India, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and many other… But the REGIME is the hurdle.. The regime who killed the own founding members of Pakistan Movement.. The regime seperated East Pakistan to rule the REMAINING PAKISTAN for 100 years under US UMBRELLA
This is true to some extent that the general public either does not know or has not been informed about all the friendly deeds by united states. Lot of work has been done and major contributions made by the US but the channels controlling the funding have either not used it properly or failed to ensure its proper use resulting in fraud.Common man in the street has no knowledge abour US concerns about many projects still on going by USAID.Most of the critics of US policy do it so for political convenience only ie to promote their own objectives.These people know it for sure that US always helped pakistan in one form or the other. those who know and matter must acknowlege The US policy about Pakistan which is based on pricples of mutual respect.Just consider how many Pakistanese are working here and supporting their families in Pakistan. tHe details of foreighn exchange remittances from uS speak it out.One may disagree or may like to express personal views but by no means may resort to use of insulting and gerrogatory language.Those who are critical of US policy regarding Pakistan are requested to please find some time and visit US embassy in Islamabad and watch how many Pakistanes line up for US visas.
I think its time for us to introduce the term “Christian, Jew, Hindu and Buddist Terrorists” in international media. From now onwards we should always call them by this name. They call us terrorists because they think we killed almost 1300 people in 9/11, but they have killed more than a million innocent muslims since then. Our media is a traitor especially Geo channel. They are not doing their job right. After 9/11 Christians entire media started using terms like Islamic Terrorists. But our media never ever used such terms against them.
We don’t have to be sentimental about it. The leaders we have is selected/elected by us then why to blame others. First we correct ourself then only we can show stubbern reply to others. We at every corner at every street and in every village are only thinking of ourself. we have become selfish if we start thinking for country and for collectivity I think we can improve. Only then we will get rid of present leaders. Leaders come from wi8thin if we are not good so will be our leaders.
Well Mr.Richard Olson, all your diplomacy and sugar coated diplomatic statements can be well received by “FOOLS of ISLAMABAD” headed by the Master Fool “Zardari” whom you people have now probably given a life threat, as no other threat with this much illegal wealth is now applicable as per rule of the game.
There is a war going on between you & China, for the Jewel in The Crown ” GAWADAR”, & Pakistan is only a battle field.
However we will side China for our National Interests & future. We have to fight against YOU as we had fought against USSR, the difference probably will be that then we use to go to Afghanistan to fight against USSR, Now with your deep routed posts in every sphere of our society (kind courtesy of your Dollars & our Traitors)we have to fight you in the streets of PAKISTAN.
Mr. Colson this the fact , Mr. Zardari & you may like it or not.
i totally agreed wd Mr Ali & other one, we common men of pakistan neither get any benefit from US aid or help particularly. rather US brings unstability in our lives and country. US openly killing muslims across the world and just want to capture economis resources of mmuslims countries, which he is almost successfully done by weighting the muslim government officials in dollars. we people of pakistan dont need any aid from america not even a single peny. we also want from US to go back to his own country leave pakistan.
we again request our characterless leaders to feel some shame as u have to answer ALLAH of wht u have with ur people.plus history always curse the dishonest leaders.
In international politics no one is sincer and every country try for thier interset and if US statements comes like this it s thier own interset from us. But we also need to develop our own strategy to how face other countries for our own interest. If we look in to our setup every body working seperatly for example Pak Army and politicans etc. They all need to set togather and develop and road map for our country and it is not correct to crticize other but we need to change ourself to develop our country. If we look to energy crisis who is responsible US CHina or We, and we all know energy is the backbone for development of a country but here day day energy crisis is increasing and we are responsible for it that we dont have any palning to solve it. So kindly i request to all that dint critize other but think and plan to change ourself for the development of our statment. And i request that dont critsize other and it depends upon the nature and approach of a person that who they think a issue.
Wisdom is neither inheritance nor a legacy! Likewise, dignity cannot be manufactured or purchased. It’s a reward for those who labor with diligence. Millions are still alive who saw the American documentary (Film) on the advent of Pakistani President’s “Ayub Khan’s” eight days historic visit to USA in 1961.
America Welcomes President Ayub Khan of Pakistan 1961. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2cF72JeKtI
In July 1961, President Mohammad Ayub Khan of Pakistan, accompanied by his daughter Begum Nasir Akhtar Aurangzeb, paid a state visit to the United States. “This film was digitized as part of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image’s mission to provide digital access to Texas-related films. We really appreciate them for letting use this link and making this video public. This video will show the events of President Ayub’s trip. Highlights include a state dinner at Mt. Vernon, a visit to the Islamic Center of Washington, and a ticker tape parade in New York City. President Ayub’s visit also included a trip to San Antonio where he toured and laid a wreath at The Alamo, followed by a barbecue at Vice President Johnson’s ranch in Stonewall, TX.
Did another USA President, like “John F. Kennedy” & the First Lady “Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy” ever waited at the tarmac to receive their distinguished guests looking for the special Plane’s Landing, carrying Pakistan Precedent Ayub Khan and his entourage again in US History?
Today, leaderships both in America and Pakistan are meager having shallow and hollow insight.
The policy of strategic was irrelevant after 1998 nuke test. However, the main concer for Pakistan is that it has limited resources to check cross border infiltraton from Afghanistan and there are serious risk of destablizing those areas of Pakistan by a third country using the teritory of Afghanistan.
Kabul and US has to address this issue, if they really want to have Pakistan on board for any long term solution for Afghan problem.
Oslon you and your bosses know that there can never be a better BUY than Zardari,But sometimes Hitler also takes birth
Both are at fullest peace ,except for internal insecurity of Pakistan is not in control. The law and order however needs opposite of increasing political controls because with democratisation we ousted a military dictator regime in 2008.and with democratisation we can make regional peace…
The question is that if Pak leaders have face to meet with clean crowns / mathaw …
My lover speaks turkish and i dont know two words…
Another untrusted American Diplomat.He is just being little concerned coz he must have some next covert evil plan to sign against Pakistan along with SOB President Evil Zardari.They are not here for hunting Alkaida or shit , infact they give least concern to those goat f**kers Alkaida & Taliban. The real purpose is to deprive nuclear facility of Pakistan & then left us to get rape by India every single hour.
Better Late Than Never, Thanks God. At last our political & military leadership realized that the idea of Strategic depth was a non sense.
The cunning compainian MUST think about slogen raised by him in world “he does not interfer in soveranty of any state.”I BEING LAYMAN ADVISE YOU TO REMAIN IN YOUR FORIGHHN AFFAIR DOMAIN,This will help us to establish hate free feelings for USA.
Welcome to the confession on the part of Mr. Olson that USA is there in Afganistan to get Pakistan moved away with stratigic depth in Afganistan.
First time there is someone who is not criticizing Pakistan .
If it is true than very sad news for POOR Pakistanis because their leaders and establishment left no choice to servive as done same in the past in Spain.
Since 1978 Pakistanis are fighting side by side with our Afghan Muslims brothers, they fight together and die together just to stop the apprising of the western ideologies. It is true Islamic Jihad. Do any one think that Shaitan(Satan)would allow you to practice Islam just like that? would he allow you to be good in the eyes of Allah? Never.. that is the reason he (Satan)jump into it supplying arms and ammunition and firing dollars in it so the fire go bad mankind gets into situation of humanity and to Islam gets the blame. The wicked satanic mind just killing Muslims in the name WMD, Alqaida, Chemical ali,nuclear Iran, some times in yamen, some times in Syria. But they are blind when you asked them where are three millions Muslims of Iraq? Where are 3.2 Muslims of Afghanistan? why over 120000 Muslims and soldiers were killed in Pakistan? There eyes don’t see, Palestine, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt, Siria, Iraq, Bosnia and now the latest Burma? Whether there is US aid or not whether to Pakistan Inshallah there will be Pakistan and Pakistan is not that 0.5 who is in the government benches.. Pakistan is the 99.5% who are innocent but sensible,who are human beings and the best thing among them 98% are Muslims, and the best of all as Quran said the true believers will be the victorious (Ja al haq o wa zahkal batil innal batel la kana zahooka).
its not the question of oil or money anymore, but regional superemacy and power in indopak… nobody wants another superpower as a neighbor, russia nor china, not even india or saudia or iran…
if the US doesnt agree to leave Afghanistan with honour, it ll be ousted like in vietnam….
OR……Be ready for … IIIrd WORLD WAR…
First, nice to see Pakistanis venting their views mixed with a bit of heat.
Second, anyone who has opened the history books and scanned the past 1000 years of this region will know the answer to the above question. The affinity between these regions is not just religious or cultural but economic. Pakistan is the gateway for Afghanistan and it is in their interest to have a open border.
Pakistan too profits from this union with access to Central Europe markets.
p.s. lets us not label American citizen, who hold as diverse opinions as us Pakistanis, with abusive names. US and PK have a lot in common in the makeup of their states: a bunch of different people brough together by an idea on a piece of land.
pakistan should be care full in relations with us,
the us has record to forget after there missions are coplete. not once but many many times they did that, its there nature.
WATCH OUT PAKISTAN……..
I FULLY AGREE WITH MR SECULAR THAT THE US IS NOT HERE AT OUR BORDERS IN FACT INFILTRATED OUR COUNTRY IN PERSUIT OF ALKAIDA OR TALIBAN……. THEY R NO THREAT TO THEM IN ANY WAYY…… AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY R HERE WITH SERIOUS MALAFIDE INTENTIONS … THAT IS TO DESTROY PAKISTANS NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES….. PAKISTAN BEING A NUCLEAR POWER HAS NEVER BEEN ACCEPTED BY THE WEST, INDIA OR ISRAIL…… THEREFORE THEIR MAIN MISSION IS TO WIPE OUT OUR NUCLEAR CAPABILITY,, DESTROY OUR NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS THEREBY RENDERING PAKISTAN AN EASY TARGET FOR INDIAN, ISRAILI AND WESTERN AGGRESSIVE DESIGNS…. WE CUD THEN B AT THEIR MERCY ……. THATS THEIR MISSION AT THE END OF THE DAY……
SOOO WAKE UP PAKISTAN,,,, PAKISANI PPL N OUR LEADERSHIP ….. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID IN KUWAIT,,, IRAQ ,, LIBYAAAA …. OCCUPY THEIR OIL RESOURCES ON VARIOUS EXCUSES AND PRETEXT AND THEY SUCCEEDED….. BUT HERE IN PAKISTAN THERES IS NO OIL…… THEIR EVIL DESIGNS R FOCUSSED ON PAKISTANS NUCLEAR CAPABILITYY OR THE HOT SEA PORTS OF GWADAR
In my point of view pakistan and afghanistan his very close culture, religous and historical relationships. The main problem is that proxy war which is playing and supporting from different countries between afghanistan and pakistan should be stop. In addition to that, there are some parties in afghanistan and pakistan who do not let to build trust between these two countries. We are both muslims countries and we can solve our problem by our self but if these third party countires leave us alone.
Actually, Our Govt. has become habitual of receiving aid for themselves, not for the people and development. Unfortunately!! to be precise, they are playing the role of a pimp by receiving aid and allowing them to hit Drones and do more policy. QUOTE “Saaman so baras ka, pal ki khabar nahi” best fits Mr.Zardari & Co.
well put ali!…
just wake up!pakistanis….its time the NATION makes decisions and not let the politicians drive us any more…its now or never!
US just wants to give a soothing jesture by removing an ambassador n putting another in place but the stratgy will no change…they even after ambassadors will continue to give best damage to pak.
oh!..lets forget no..US is the biggest supporter of WORLD PEACE!…so presently where is its support for BURMESE!
ahhhh…..again they r muslims….so let them BURN!… this the the real face of US and its DUAL POLICIES!
Whether Pakistan reconciles with the notion of Strategic Depth in Afghanistan or otherwise, it does have to worry about who all have made it a camping ground. Contiguity of Afghanistan has already bleed Pakistan a lot an it would continue to do so till establishment of complete peace. I think USA should also understand the vulnerability of Pakistan and should help country overcome threats emerging from Afghanistan every now and then. USA though has a long history of betrayals still is expected to take action against Terrorist bases along the Pakistani borders inside Afghanistan. Pakistan has already paid enough of price and asking for more is like cornering the cat. Besides, USA is also not morally justified while asking Pakistan to take action against Haqqani Network in North Waziristan once there are no of terrorist groups operating against Pakistani Security Forces from inside Afghanistan.
We have left the Quran abondoned the quran and submitted to the dime a dozen piece of shit Mullahs. This is the price for this great error…!!!
Sometimes we are pushed in shame, it’s one of em. Ridiculous..
We must wake up otherwise it is too late .We have a country no body has given us in silver plate.Only nationalist leadership can save the country and the people.Fabric of our society and the new generation must know that now it is time to make change with a leadership who must be an honest ,clean and very tough law abiding citizen.Establish institutions on a solid grounds, equalize the rights for everyone, try to learn self sufficiency.Always blame game not right I think if US is working for their benefit , we must have people sitting on the table, work for benefit of the nation.
WELCOME TO PAKISTAN
Mr. Richard Olson is obiviously a new entry in US office in Pakistan, yet his declaration that “Pakistan has moved away with from strategic depth policy”has worth not more than Arrival Salutation to his office…
Being a well wishing neighbor it is regional as well as religious duty of Pakistan to share Afghanistan in a secure future,which USA, India or behind them Israel can never deal with because they need of their transporting bread here…
It is also a fact that none forgets a place where a scorpion stings him once!