In Young Kim SN2213 How has the United States impacted Pakistan’s democratic political development? 1. Overview phase 1 Pakistan confronted the USSR on the American side and received economic and military assistance in return. ● SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) ● CENTO (Central Treaty Organization or Baghdad Pact) ● $ 2 billion from the US between 1953 and 1961 Pakistan was “America’s most allied ally in Asia" but later in 1971, Bhutto, actually, maintained a nonaligned position. phase 2 In 1981, the US offered another round of foreign assistance to Pakistan to limit Soviet influences in Afghanistan. ● A five year $3.2 billion aid package along with military hardware and training ● Pakistan became a key transit country for arms and supplies to the Afghan resistance and home to Afghan refugees Disapproval of Pakistan's nuclear program was clear. ● 1985 Pressler Amendment required Pakistan an annual certification that Pakistan does not possess a nuclear explosive device phase 3 America declares the “War on Terror” after 9.11. ● In this phase, Pakistan was put on “the frontline” ● US insisted that Pakistan “was with us, or against us” ● US chased the Taliban and Osama bin Laden through military operations across Pakistan ● A "non-NATO" ally 2. US’s perspective US never made any commitments to defend Pakistan if it were to be involved in a clash with India. ● 1954 Mutual Defense Agreement: “the Government of Pakistan will use this assistance exclusively to maintain its internal security. Pakistan will not undertake any act of aggression against any other nation.” ● 1959 bilateral Agreement of Cooperation: US will “assist Pakistan if she became the victim of aggression” but "specific assurance" Nehru India was treated as the biggest non-communist country in Asia. ● 1974, the US responded with measures that meant the US aid to Pakistan would be cut off ● 1998, Pakistan’s nuclear tests made Clinton say “lost a truly priceless opportunity to strengthen its own security, to improve its political standing in the eyes of the world.” 3. Pakistan’s perspective Pakistan wanted to gain leverage against India. In Young Kim SN2213 ● ● ● Virtually, Pakistan is a defensive shield for India India thought that “Pakistan had brought the Cold War to the subcontinent” 1965’s Indo-Pakistan conflict, the Pakistani leadership tried to exert pressure on the US 4. Significance The international pressures were so high that domestic politics could not be strengthened. ● Pakistan’s political development was encouraged by Pakistan’s Western Allies who cared more about their own interests. ● Similar results arise from China-Pakistan relations. The US aid eventually contributed to Pakistan’s growth of its military regime. ● Excluding the General Ayub era, since 1982, the US provided Pakistan $17 billion in military assistance and $13.5 billion in economic assistance
