POREG VIEW: The apology and the Dulles airport incident on Sunday (Aug 29) that necessitated the apology are a sad reflection on the US-Pak relations that were forged five decades ago in a mutuality of interests, and on the Post- 9/11 frontline status conferred on Pakistan. Obama’s America has security paranoia. It is neo-McCarthyism.
Yet, the security check and detention of the nine-member Pakistan military delegation, led by a two-star general which was going to attend the annual conference of US-Pakistan Military Consultative Committee at Tampa, was uncalled for. So was the denial of permission to call the Pakistan embassy or the host, namely Centcom chief, in Tampa.
Either there was a complete breakdown of military protocol or there was a rank arrogance of a bruised supercop on display. Well, it could be both.
As the WikiLeaks show, Washington finds itself helpless vis-à-vis Pakistan army’s terrorism enterprise.
The way out is tough speak.
Not Dulles posturing, which only helps army chief Gen Kayani to cement his position as the new darling of the Pakistani masses at a time the calls for army rule are becoming louder in the flood –ravaged country to the dismay of the inept Zardari executive..
