Subcontinental Drift: Second Chance

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Wednesday, November 14, 2001

Since the United States asked Gen. Pervez Musharraf for help in the War on Terrorism, the dictator and his officials have wasted no opportunity to remind Washington (and the world) that the last time Pakistan lent a hand it was abandoned by the Americans as soon as their objective had been met. After helping the U.S. fight a proxy war against the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, Pakistan had hoped to remain Washington's special friend: instead, it was treated like a pariah, with the added humiliation of seeing the Americans chummy up with India. Musharraf has refered to that slight in almost all his press conferences, and his officials have weighed in as well, using expressions like "ditched" and "jilted."

The no-so-subtle objective of these repeated reminders is to prevent history repeating itself. The Pakistanis hope that a suitably abashed America will be more sensitive to their feelings this time round, and will remain friendly long after the current campaign in Afghanistan has ended. Expect this chorus to rise to a cresendo over the next few weeks as the Taliban is pushed into a corner.

MORE STORIES Kabul: Eking out an Existence Baghran: Into Taliban Country Taliban: Why the bad guys get away More Stories >>> PHOTO ESSAYS Burden of Sanctuary Afghanistan's Women A Country Divided More Photos >>> CNN.com Asia Latest news on the War on Terror IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE Inside Tora Bora Jan. 14, 2002 Past Issues Person of the Year Dec. 31, 2001 ----------------- Inside Tora Bora Dec. 24, 2001 ----------------- The Manhunt Dec. 17, 2001 ----------------- Qala-i-Jangi Dec. 10, 2001 ----------------- Unveiled at Last Dec. 3, 2001 ----------------- Hunting bin Laden Nov. 26, 2001 ----------------- First Blood Nov. 19, 2001 ----------------- Al-Qaeda's Reach Nov. 12, 2001 ----------------- War On   Two Fronts Nov. 5, 2001 ----------------- The Fear Factor Oct. 29, 2001 ----------------- The War   on Terror Oct. 22, 2001 ----------------- Facing the Fury Oct. 15, 2001 ----------------- Preparing   for Battle Oct. 8, 2001 ----------------- Target: Bin Laden Oct. 1, 2001 ----------------- America United Sept. 24, 2001 ----------------- Day of Infamy Sept. 14, 2001   INTERACTIVE GRAPHICS The World of Al-Qaeda Ramping Up the Ground War Mission Into Afghanistan More Graphics Workplace Safety Afghan Targets Anthrax Pathogen A Ground War An Uneasy Ally Targets Hit Search & Destroy Firepower & Food Frozen Assets Safety Guide Middle East Leaders Agents of Death Afghanistan Military Buildup Terrorist Cells Our Weapons Paths of Destruction Twin Terrors

But emotional blackmail is an unreliable diplomatic tool: Musharraf and his officials would do well to look more closely into the reasons why Pakistan was "ditched" before in order to prevent it from happening again. America didn't dump a good friend, it simply ended a temporary arrangement. What it had with Pakistan was not really a relationship, it was more like a one-night stand. Like people, countries can only build long-term relationships when they share common values. And secular, democratic America had little in common with the Islamic dictatorship that helped win the first Afghan War. (When democracy did come to Pakistan, it was deeply flawed, with the military still calling the shots.) That is why the U.S. turned away.

It's like doing business with somebody you suspect is a slightly shady character: you don't want to socialize with him when the deal is done.

This is not to say America (or any other nation, for that matter) doesn't forge ties with shady characters -- countries that don't share its values. The U.S. has at one time or another been in bed with tinpot dictators in Africa, fundamentalist Islamic kingdoms in the Persian Gulf and the communist regime in China. But all of these ties were and are based on specific objectives -- the Cold War, oil or massive markets for American companies. Never mind what American politicians say, Saudi Arabia and China are not America's "friends," they are no more than partners of convenience.

America's real friends are countries like Britain and France and Canada, with which it shares the values of secularism and liberal democracy. Like all friends, they occasionally bicker -- about tarrif barriers, say, or environmental protection -- but you know that the underlying friendship will endure.

This has nothing to do with race. For a test, ask an African-American cab driver in New York, a Hispanic barman in LA or a white delivery boy in Boston whether they think of China as a friendly country. I think you already know the answer.

Lacking rich oil reserves or a billion-man market, Pakistan cannot hope to hold on to America's interest for very long after the campaign against the Taliban. What must Islamabad do to be one of Washington's enduring friends? For a start, it must quickly return to democracy -- and a real one this time, please, with the military staying out of it. Sadly, Musharraf has made it plain he has no intentions of giving up power. For all the assurances coming out of Washington, Pakistan is doomed to be "ditched" again.