The new course of American ties with countries in South Asia

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, The Daily Star, Asia News Network, Dhaka

President Bush's announcement to sale F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan has caused wide speculation in America's media about the shift of policy on South Asia region. This announcement was, however, communicated to Indian Prime Minister by President Bush over telephone.

It was a good gesture, but it was not received with positive note, which has been reflected in the comments of the spokesman of the Prime Minister's office, who reportedly said," the prime Minister expressed India's great disappointment at this decision which could have negative consequences for India's security environment". This offer to Pakistan can be seen against the backdrop of Pakistan's steadfast support to the actions by Bush administration to drive out Taliban regime from Afghanistan and war on terrorism.

America barred sale of weapons to Pakistan in 1990 when Pakistan carried out undeclared nuclear weapons test program. But on attacking Afghanistan Bush administration had already awarded Pakistan by opening up financial assistance, which was suspended following the latter's test of nuclear bomb. Pakistan was granted $ 700 million aid in 2004. Bush administration has written off Pakistani debt and promised to offer $3 billion over five years.

Over and above, Bush administration declared that Pakistan was symbolically 'a major non-NATO ally.'This announcement by former Secretary of State in Islamabad in March, 2004 after his visit to India might have contributed to the fall of BJP government of Vajpayee, according to some analysts because BJP government had reportedly been competing against Pakistan to draw sympathetic attention of Bush administration.BJP government signed an immunity agreement with America not to accuse latter's army to the International Criminal Court if it committed crime on India's land, which in a way undermines the importance of the International Criminal Court.

I am not blaming President Bush for siding with Pakistan's undemocratic military regime as the trend of America's alignment with military regime in Pakistan is not a new phenomenon. All the Republican governments, somehow or other, maintained excellent relations with Pakistan's military regimes in particular.

During President Eisenhower's time American administration had developed relationship with Pakistan through SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization). Thus Pakistan became eligible for arms aid. America also signed a bilateral agreement with Pakistan during Eisenhower's regime when military junta of Gen. Ayub Khan was in power.

Another secret aide memoirs sent to Pakistan in 1962 by Democratic government of President Kennedy was on to come to Pakistan's aid against Indian aggression. During the liberation war of Bangladesh the Republican administration of Nixon sided with Pakistan's military regime of Yahya Khan ignoring America's values and democratic principles.

Nixon administration made it clear that American administration would honor its commitments by informing the Soviet Union (by Henry Kissinger on Dec. 10, 1970) referring to the aide memoirs of Nov. 5, 1962 in which America promised to assist Pakistan in case of Indian aggression.

By Dec. 16, India accomplished its goals of liberating East Pakistan in collaboration with Mukti Bahini(Freedom Fighters). America had ordered dispatch of fleet Enterprise to the Bay of Bengal where the Soviet union already stationed a SAM-equipped destroyer and a second mine sweeper.

Therefore, the entering of America's seventh fleet in the Bay of Bengal during our war of liberation remained a myth. In other words, American administration betrayed the desire of President Yahya Khan. What America did was that Soviet Union was urged to restrain India from spreading the war to Kashmir or western front.

America also sought Security Council approval on Dec. 4, 1971 for a cease -fire, but Soviet Union vetoed the resolution. Soviet Union sided with India and exercised veto power in the Security Council to block America's resolution for cease-fire until India completed its task. It was not until Dec. 21, that the Soviet Union allowed passage of a Security Council resolution demanding withdrawal of Indian forces.

Subsequent governments in Pakistan acted in collaboration with America to build up resistance groups in Afghanistan against the occupation of the Soviet Union in 1979. Following the terrorist attacks on America on Sept. 11, 2001 Bush administration developed excellent relations with Pakistan's military ruler. Bush administration considers Gen. Musharaff's help crucial in the battle against terrorist groups of al-Qaeda. Exchanges of intelligence information and stationing of American troops in Pakistan are indicative of the amount of increasing relations.

This growing relation with Pakistan, however, does not mean America is abandoning India from its strategic alignment. President Bush's announcement was followed by intimation of intent to sell fighter planes to India simultaneously. It said that it 'would allow US firms the right to provide India the next generation of sophisticated, multirole combat aircraft.'

Given the growth of economy of China and India, both countries are considered by policy makers in Washington as growing giants in Asia which will be dominating balance of power in the region in near future. American administration has established and intensified military cooperation with India. India soon would become a permanent member of the Security Council along with Japan.

In spite of the US administration's hobnobbing with Pakistan, the latter had never found the sympathy in America that India enjoyed, at least among opinion-making groups. It did not represent principles with which Americans could identify as readily as with those of the world's largest democracy.

In today's America the media have been advocating against giving leverage to Pakistan. For example, the Washington Post of April 2, 2005 commented harshly on President Bush's policy towards Pakistan President Musharraf and said that the Bush administration needs a policy for Pakistan that is designed to outlast Pervez Musharraf.

The fact remains that supply of F-16 fighter planes to Pakistan means militarily strengthening Pakistan at a time when both India and Pakistan are advancing towards peaceful resolution of their disputes through dialogue and agreements.

One cannot rule out the possibility of deteriorating the climate of peaceful negotiations between the nuclear arch rivals if the balance of power is lost. It is imperative that goodwill and political sagacity prevail among neighbors in South Asia.

Mohammad Amjad Hossain, a former Bangladesh diplomat, now resides in Virginia