Secretary Clinton Gets a Taste of Pakistani Anti-Americanism
EmailABC News’ Nick Schifrin reports:
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — If you have access to Pakistani television and you want to get a taste of how anti-Americanism has risen here, watch the roundtable that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton subjected herself to tonight with Pakistan’s most popular Urdu-language talk show hosts.
While Clinton did occasionally seem like she was having fun, mostly she faced questions that she wouldn’t hear from her traveling press party but reflect Pakistani public opinion — if only because this group of anchors so strongly influences that opinion.
One of them, Hamid Mir, is nearly as popular for Pakistanis as Walter Cronkite once was for Americans.
There wasn’t too much news made in the roundtable, at least half of which focused on deep mistrust over the Kerry-Lugar bill, a foreign aide bill offered by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Dick Lugar, R-Ind., that Pakistanis perceived as an infringement on their sovereignty.
The anchors complained about drone strikes; a perceived lack of understanding by the U.S. of Pakistan; secret motives; and poor policy in the region. They also discussed private, heavily armed security guards hired by the U.S. embassy driving around Islamabad at 3am “breaking the law” – a charge not completely true; and 1,000 marines brought in to guard the embassy – which is not true at all.
At one point, slightly exasperated, Clinton seemed to surrender during the long debate over the Kerry-Lugar bill, saying, “You don’t have to believe it! You don’t have to take the money!”
Perhaps the best sound from Clinton that came during the roundtable and best represents what she’s trying to do here: “That’s why I’m here. I want to clear the air.”
–Nick Schifrin
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was she ducking bullets and saving children all at the same time?
Posted by: mickey maoist | October 28, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Don’t these people get that we are trying to spread democracy in their countries?
Posted by: Huh | October 28, 2009, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm
Grinding through these kinds of outreach is critical to America’s success. It takes more than electing a guy with the middle name of Hussein to connect with the Muslim world, and I’m glad that Mrs. Clinton is in the trenches doing the work.
Those who hate America out of ignorance should be engaged in this manner – it’s far cheaper than bombs.
Posted by: jhw539 | October 28, 2009, 3:29 pm 3:29 pm
Can’t wait to see how she spins this near miss.
On a serious note, I’m glad she was 3 hours away from the bomb site. Stay safe.
Posted by: Axey | October 28, 2009, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
jhw539 – I agree. To bad we use the bombs so readily. I am all for talking. These people just really get mad when they see there relatives and people they identify with dying in an environment that we helped to foster.
Posted by: Huh | October 28, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
When I went there for earthquake relief ops, their army officers (who were in charge of our security) complained about the same thing, but I think they are mostly mad that we dont support them against India, where there is still alot of hard feelings for.
Posted by: Bill | October 28, 2009, 3:38 pm 3:38 pm
Hillary good luck trying to reason with some folks.
Posted by: rachel | October 28, 2009, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
“UNITED NATIONS — US drone strikes against suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan could be breaking international laws against summary executions, the UN’s top investigator of such crimes said.
‘The problem with the United States is that it is making an increased use of drones/Predators (which are) particularly prominently used now in relation to Pakistan and Afghanistan,’ UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions Philip Alston told a press conference.
“‘My concern is that drones/Predators are being operated in a framework which may well violate international humanitarian law and international human rights law,’ he said.”
Over to you, Messrs. Holder and Obama. We must always reach out to the International Community.
Posted by: Fascist Hyena | October 28, 2009, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
US should realise that Pakistan is suffering only because of US wrong policies. Pakistan has sacrificed more than any other country in this war which was never been Pakistan’s war. Now they are trying to shift it to Pakistan with Pakistan’s corrupt govt.(1st musharraf and now zardari)
Pakistan’s schools and universities are closed. businessmen are running and exttremists are paying alot to young people. I as a Pakistani don’t understand who is paying dollars and providing meterials to be used against Pakistani people?????????
More than hundred innoccent died yesterday. we want PEACE not pieces…
Posted by: revolution | October 29, 2009, 12:25 am 12:25 am
She is ready to take the credit for how many dollars the previous US regime gave to Pakistan, but she is not willing to take the heat for them supporting a dictator and undermining the sovereignty of Pakistan. How hypocritical is that?
And if only she knew how many schools their drones have destroyed, she wouldn’t have made the comment about how committed USA is in providing education to the people of Pakistan.
Anyway, I don’t utterly blame USA for the situation Pakistan is in right now, because it’s also that our politicians have presented themselves to be bought for a few bucks. And believe me no Pakistani wants US aid, and the recent polls back my claim, and even the USA administration knows that, but they are just paying their mercenaries in the guise of aid to Pakistan.
To make a long thing short: Arrogance and the denial of plain facts will not “clear the air”.
Posted by: Umer | October 29, 2009, 12:38 am 12:38 am
if Pakistan wasn’t nuclear capable, we should take our troops and our money and let them fend for themselves. The biggest mistake the US has ever made was getting involved in other countries affairs, financial and otherwise. They don’t seek our help in any way but monetary, now they can just go to China for that like we do !
Posted by: halfmn | October 29, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am
Hillary Clinton, with the rest of her American gang, should stay away from Pakistan. We don’t want your aid and we don’t want your ‘democracy’. Americans are in this region only for their oil and pipelines. Enough drama about ‘terrorism’ and ‘Al Qaeda’. Americans may still fall for that droll, but the rest of the world is a lot smarter.
Stop supporting dictators in the region just to succeed in your geopolitic plans. USA is losing in Afghanistan and it is losing bad. Leave now. You’ll save your troops and a lot of innocent civilians who are dying daily in Afghanistan and Pakistan just because of you.
Go back home, and come back when you learn how to ‘negotiate’ in order to gain strategic objectives, not by bombing countries into submission. That will never work.
I came back to my home country just recently after spending 8 years in USA for higher studies. I know Americans themselves are not bad. They are just ignorant. They actually believe their govt is spreading ‘democracy’ by bombing countries. Either they don’t want to see the reality or they don’t think it is important enough. I’m sure it will become much more important in a year or two when American economy tanks and Americans start questioning the reason and wisdom behind these wars that cost billions of dollars monthly, as well as make enemies left and right for America. That’s the only way that self-absorbed society drowning in consumerism will wake up to reality – when they’ll have no money to spend.
Posted by: Mahwish Abbasi | October 29, 2009, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm
Again my friend,Its not anti Americanism but the policy of American administration that is being implemented in this region. Recent resignation of American forigen official Should be an eye opening for Obama administration and for rest of it allies.
Either leave afganistan or face wreath of Pakutoons not Talibans
Posted by: ALi | October 29, 2009, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
If pakistanis are such peace loving people…why are they always on the verge of a nucleor war with india? Why don’t the citizens of pakistan stand up against their government and demand they get rid of their nucleor weapons??/If you want to be ruled by the taliban and Al Queda..you are quite welcome to them…but first dismantle your nucleor weapons so you are not a threat to the rest of the world…we don’t want oil from you or poppies, but we also do not want terrorist training camps in a lawless country that has nucleor bombs
Posted by: cowgirl | October 29, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
Pakistan is a paranoid state where an offer for an olive branch is seen with deep suspicion. Thanks to the secret service agency in Pakistan, everthing is seen in the light of a conspiracy by the US, India or Israel. If Pakistan refuses the US aid, highly unlikely, China will fill Pakistan’s gap.
Posted by: Nikhil | October 29, 2009, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
I can guarantee Pak/Afghans and others in the world are not as stupid as American public to believe every sugar-coating and PR that is presented to them. This ia AMERICAn Imperilaism war and poor AFPAk people are paying a very heavy price. No afghans want foreign boots on their soil. It has become a “face saving” and delaying defeat in Afghan. The Satand demanded more bllood in Pakistan area, and now they want drone attacks in Quetta, Baluchistan. Does anyone not see that the Satan has a ceaseless quest for an enemy to destroy? The ill-perceived enemy that just does not exist or is simp-y invisible.
The nuclear arms are now the political ploy to perpetuate a war more blood!
The satan will leave Afghan eventually or they will keep letting you bleed to death.
To the Satan! look no further for an enemy to destroy! You will find it in the mirror.
To Pakistanis ! Do not buy into that PR and some sugar offering like this lady is doing. Stand up for your dignity; they cant do anything to you if you stay united against the satan !
Posted by: The Mentalist | October 30, 2009, 8:10 am 8:10 am
For the world to trust pakistanis, they simply have to denounce terrorism and dismantle the terror camps.. is it such a big deal to ask? every country is for themselves in this world just like america.. but what is unacceptable is the way some support terrorisom as a state policy. I don’t know why the United Nations plays such a negligible role in destroying terrorism.
Posted by: Jayanthi | October 30, 2009, 9:48 am 9:48 am
Pakistan is paying a terrible price for bad American policies. How come there were no bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Pakistan before US got into Afghanistan? About the aid, Pakistan is spending billions from its own pockets to guard Afghan-Pak borders, Pakistan is letting US use its air space and ports for US troops in Afghanistan. Pakistan is paying a terrible price for bad American policies. How come there were no bomb blasts and suicide attacks in Pakistan before US got into Afghanistan? About the aid, Pakistan is spending billions from its own pockets to guard Afghan-Pak borders, Pakistan is letting US use its air space and ports for US troops in Afghanistan. Pakistan is losing its civilians and troops in this war to defend the US. Is this how we thank them? Who is going pay for all that? If US is giving few billions then they are not doing any favors. US should be thankful because things could be very difficult if Pakistan stops helping. Instead, what I see is arrogance from of our Sec. of State on this visit. Shame!
Posted by: Roger Mathew | October 30, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Hillary does have the ability to annoy me sometimes.
But when our own economy is in turmoil, US unemployment is hovering at around 10%, one out of every 10 Americans qualifies for food assistance, banks are rushing to screw their credit card customers before the new law against that goes into effect, and when foreclosures still seem to be the name of the game in real estate here….
when faced with a Pakistani ignoramus that wanted to claim that it was “insulting” that US foreign aid to Pakistan comes with the provision that Pakistan stop supporting terrorists, I’m GLAD Hillary didn’t back down and just told that money-grubbing idiot that he “didn’t have to take the money.”
I’m thrilled that Obama has a more mature idea of foreign policy then “If we don’t like you, we’ll invade your country and bomb you.” There is much to be said for diplomacy and negotiation. But, by the same token, at some point in time other countries (like Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan) need to start taking some responsibility for their own country. I am sick to death of other countries thinking the US is nothing more than a free hand-out.
You don’t like the conditions we put on our foreign aid? Fine, do without. We have good (better) uses for that money right here at home.
Posted by: Jaylah | October 30, 2009, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Pakistan is bearing the brunt of something which they were never really a part of. US should be thankful to Pakistan/Pakistanis for fighting their war and sacrificing their lives. We need to see first who created Al-Qaeda and who is funding the Talibans? US should also investigate India’s role in the terrorism as well.
Posted by: hihi | October 30, 2009, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm
One fundamental fact that escapes all pundits is what can be an answer to Hillary’s ” you do not have to take the money”. Madam, people of Pakistan were never the recepients of American money. They never took your money; your agents, lobbyists and puppets took your money and directly deposited in the like of Swiss accounts. You already have access to some of those accounts and you know them well.
Posted by: Prof Zubairi | October 31, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am
Actually, Pakastanis should realize there is as much if not more paranoia and suspicion of the US government in America as there is the rest of the world. Conspiricy theorists live in every country.
The first problem with conspiricy theories is that they are never proved. It is easier to believe the worst than to really study history and current events to arrive at educated conclusions.
The second problem with conspiricy theories is that conspiricies of the magnitude being discussed here are impossible to carry out, even by Bush. There would be too many people involved, all would never agree on everything and leaks would be rampant.
The truth, therefore, is that there are no conspiricies and Clinton has the right approach. Hammer away at the truth and put it all out on the table. Perhaps if there was more trust we could solve the majority of the problems.
Posted by: Rob | October 31, 2009, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
Good work helry in Pak, But the pakis need long education to come closer to us people, Its not the paki people who hate us people,,, but paki govt who always anti with us govt and us govt anti with paki govt.
hope peace comes through
paki
Posted by: lov us | October 31, 2009, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm
This is so simple, it boggles the mind. Americans were killed on 9/11 by terrorists in Afghanistan and by proxy Pakistan. Pakistan could have had the foresight to see the implication for their country and done something about it.
Now you are paying for the consequence, maybe this will wake you all up to the presence of the terrorists in your country that have no respect for their own people.
I see the dubiousness of the Pakistanis who instead of turning against the talibans that bombed innocent Pakistanis, they are turning against the military and the Americans! You want the drones attacks to stop? then stop the talibans and our soldiers can come home from your God forsaken badlands!
Posted by: Rotimi | November 1, 2009, 10:13 am 10:13 am
One thing to notice from the comments is that most Pakistanis keep saying it is not their war. The fact remains that the militants are in Pakistan. By saying it is not their war, Pakistanis are saying they will allow their territory to be used by these militants to attack other countries as long as they don’t attack Pakistan. Seems a lot of soul searching is still required.
Posted by: Kalyan | November 3, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm