Economy, Energy Replace Extremism as Top US Concerns, DAWN, 4 March 2010
EXCERPT: "US special envoy Richard Holbrooke has told a briefing in Washington that he sees positive developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan, to the point that his chief concern in Pakistan is not extremism. Last week, Mr Holbrooke wrapped up his second trip to South Asia this year, and his first visit to Central Asia since President Barack Obama appointed him to his post. On Tuesday, he briefed the media at the State Department about his visit, saying: 'I think that in Pakistan and in Afghanistan, but particularly in Pakistan, there has been a movement, a shift in sentiment here. In Pakistan right now, my greatest concern is to help the Pakistanis with their economic and energy problems.' Assessing Pakistan’s recent efforts to combat terrorism, he said: 'I think they’re on the right track in this other area.' Washington felt the need to now focus on Pakistan’s economic and energy issues, said Mr Holbrooke, adding that the Obama administration had set up a water resources task force at the State Department to help Pakistan deal with a looming water crisis. The US envoy, who also visited Dushanbe during this trip, said that Tajikistan’s vast water resources could ease water shortages in Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Read the full story.
Related articles:
"We will have to look beyond the Indus Water Treaty", DAWN, 3 March 2010
US mediating between Pakistan, India to resolve water crisis, Daily Times, 20 February 2010
Energy crisis and Pakistan's dilemma [op-ed], DAWN, 7 February 2010
Related reports:
Briefing by Special Representative Holbrooke on his recent trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, Georgia and Germany, US Department of State, 2 March 2010
Promoting security through diplomacy and development: The fiscal year 2011 international affairs budget, US Department of State, 25 February 2010
Running on empty: Pakistan's water crisis, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, 15 September 2009
Related posts:
Distrust over shared rivers complicates India-Pakistan talks, 24 February 2010
Militants try to cash in on farmer's water woes, 28 January 2010
Water challenges a "crucial" issue in Central-South Asia, 19 January 2010
Energy shortfall greater concern than Taliban, 18 December 2009
