US, Pakistan exchange 'do more, 'give more mantras

ISLAMABAD - United States of America and Pakistan on Thursday once again exchanged the same old mantras of 'do more and 'give more, respectively, as the Obama Administrations economic wizard visiting here called on President and Prime Minister separately. Contrary to the tall claims of deepening and cementing the long-term partnership through the much trumpeted strategic dialogue, the authorities in Washington and Islamabad seem stuck where they were a year back if not more. It is on record that Pakistan has been seeking release of money from the KLB Act funds and that of the Coalition Support Fund arrears. At the same time, the US kept on seeking more and more intervention in and monitoring of Pakistans financial management mechanism. Seeking enhanced access to and direct audit of the economic disbursements in public sector was an American demand in addition to the do more mantra in the war on terror, a senior government official said requesting not to be named. Indicating continuity of a sort of status quo of the bilateral relations, President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday again stressed the need for expediting the American legislation required for setting up of ROZs (reconstruction opportunity zones). The ROZs project is yet another lollypop Washington had given Islamabad ever since the strategic dialogue started during the regime of former military dictator General Retired Pervez Musharraf. The setting up of ROZs in the conflict-hit areas in Pakistan requires a US legislation that was nowhere in sight so far. The President emphasized the need for early adoption of ROZ legislation and reimbursement of Coalition Support Fund arrears, said Farhatullah Babar, the Presidents spokesman, after Lipton had called on the President. According to the spokesman, the President made it clear that Pakistan wants a long-term strategic partnership with the United States but based on mutual trust and respect. The strategic dialogue between the two countries has been instrumental in redefining a multi-dimensional, institutionalised and long-term partnership, the President said and added that it was important that the dialogue starts yielding visible results positively impacting the lives of ordinary Pakistanis. He said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price in terms of both human and material losses in fighting militancy and that it looked forward to international assistance in meeting the challenges faced by it. He said that Pakistan needed trade and market access for its product to revive the war and flood-hit economy. The President appreciated the US commitment to contribute $190 million for Citizens Damage Compensation Fund (CDCF) for the flood affectees and $66 million for Gomal Zam and Satpara dams. David Lipton told the President that US was aware of the need for creating economic opportunity for the Pakistani people in their fight against militancy. He expressed a determination to strengthen the ties between the two countries in all areas including trade, economic growth, and development. The President said that the government and people of Pakistan look forward to the forthcoming visit of President Obama to Pakistan this year, which, he said, will open a new chapter in the Pak-US relations by further boosting the long-term strategic partnership between the two counties. When Lipton called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, he also appreciated the US Administrations confidence in the Pakistans economic system and hoped that other donor countries would the suit. The Prime Minister said that his government was committed to introduce and implement economic reforms. The RGST and flood tax measures had already been introduced and passed through the Senate and intensive consultations were now being held with the major political parties of the country to build the national consensus for their passage through the National Assembly. The Prime Minister said that the political dialogue has been initiated over other national challenges like governance, institution building and security situation of the country. The Prime Minister underlined that despite Pakistans current economic difficulties, his government will remain steadfast in its commitment to war against terror. The Prime Minister highlighted the positive trend in the national economy as a result of steps taken by his government like substantial increase in exports, record home remittances and all time high foreign exchange reserves, which he said, were reflective of the sound economic fundamentals of the country.