Reading the news heading in The Nation (August 4) Balochistan is very important for US: Munter, I could not agree more. After all, the US wants Balochistan severed from Pakistan and developed as an independent Balochistan, under US influence. Doing so will give the US full control over all the mineral resources of the region plus a sea outlet for Greater Pashtonistan, for which it will need our tribal areas and all the mineral resources over there. At least for once, Cameron Munter has spoken the truth. Balochistan is indeed very important for the United States. I also note the changed US strategy. Instead of giving economic aid like before, the US is now disbursing it through Cameron Munter, who gives a bit here and a bit there, and every time round, he makes a big speech, assuring us what a great friend of our the US is. This is his way of branding the US aid, and to get recognition for it. On a recent trip to Quetta, during which he met the Speaker of Balochistan Assembly Aslam Bhootani and offered him all help for the province. He also visited SOS village and donated $100,000 for orphaned and helpless children. I wish people would write $ 100,000 exactly as that, and not as $ 0.1 million which misleads ignorant people like me to believe that the amount is much nearer to a million whereas it is only one-tenth of that figure. I suppose after this advance payment for the upkeep of orphaned children, he will be entitled to turn some more children into orphans through drone attacks for which Munter also gives clearance according to recent news reports though on occasions, he is over-ruled by the thug and scoundrel, former CIA director Leon Panetta, now promoted to the rank of US Defence Secretary. Then there is the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Admiral Mike Mullen, who just admitted to being impatient. And of course, there is the most decorated soldier Gen. David Petraeus, now retired, who became a warrior without fighting a real war and is now the Director of CIA and who specializes in seeing and claiming victory even in defeat. Surely, his choice of lieutenants gives a clear indication of President Barack Obamas nature. By the way, I had thought the movement of US diplomats is being severely restricted but it looks like Munter is free to hop around at will. While commenting on the recent restrictions, US officials had claimed that under Vienna Convention, diplomats are allowed free movements between embassy and consulates and vice versa but to the best of my knowledge and belief, the US does not have a consulate in Balochistan, so how come Munter went there, unless he had a no-objection-certificate for the journey. Now that the government is being firm with the US staff, it had better keep it up, instead of relaxing the terms every now and then, or allowing the Americans to trample these under their feet. American officials in and out of uniform, their lawmakers and the media have all declared a full-scale war on us and are trying every possible way to embarrass, humiliate and hurt us, apart from suspending meager aid and withholding even essential supplies like body-armour and night-vision goggles for soldiers and helicopter parts. Strangely, reaction from some of us is to offer them broad smiles and warm hand-shakes in return for some small charity. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has already declared he wont accept any aid from the US. Others also ought to show at least some self-respect and if we cant do it, how can we expect Americans to respect us and treat us like human beings and not just as 'collateral which can be damaged any time. S.R.H. HASHMI, Karachi, August 5.