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Ken Russo, Henderson, NV
(11/8):
Mr. Pero has a tremendous job on his hands. Trying to put
a presentable face to a country that increasingly is known
as the "Terrorism Central" of the world and a leading
nuclear proliferator to boot will be an uphill task. To an
ordinary American, Pakistan evokes a picture of bearded Islamic
radicals burning the U.S. flag and holding pro bin Laden rallies.
The recent election of Islamic Taliban friendly hardliners
has busted the "silent majority" myth as well.
All in all, a very difficult job.
Good luck Mr.Pero. I hope the Pakistanis don't make your
job more difficult by enabling another 9-11!
Arthur Sheffield, Kennesaw,
GA (11/5):
Pakistan needs more than just PR stunts to improve its image
honestly.
1. They elected a bin Laden ally recently. Not good.
2. Their intelligence service has close ties with Islamic
terrorists active in India, Kashmir and elsewhere.
3. Their country is ruled by a corrupt dictator who inveigles,
obfuscates and lies all the time.
4. They transfer nukes to axis of evil members.
My suggestion - Please clean up your country, move to the
21st century and then we'll talk PR.
Until then - No dice - ally or not.
Not fooled by PR spins
(10/25):
Shahrukh: The only blood that Pakistan
has spilled is that of Americans, not to mention Indians,
Russians, Afghans and others. See this (http://prohosters.com/pearl/)
to understand. See also poster Chris' comments about how every
terrorist has a Pakistan link.
As for your State Dept. figures comment, please provide a
link or proof as to how the USSR or India killed Pakistanis
between 1980 and 1987. If you are talking about the Afghan
conflict, then see my previous post. Moreover, I don't see
how India came into the picture there.
The whole world agrees that Pakistan is neck deep in terrorism,
exporting it to countries as near as India and to countries
as far as the USA, including Afghanistan, Russia, the CAR
states, and China's Xinjiang province to name a few. Musharraf
has twice gone on your TV to say (to lie) that he will stop
sending terrorists into India. If this is not an admission
of Pakistan's complicity, I don't know what else is. Yeah,
yeah, you say they are freedom fighters. Then you will also
say that Mohammed Atta and his 19 goons were holy warriors.
You will also say that if we had only restrained Israel, if
we had only not set up bases in Saudi, if we had only not
gone to the moon, if we had only not been this rich, then
those poor blokes wouldn't have had to hurt us. Look what
we did!
This is what UPI hears..
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021024-124527-4670r
"... For $600,000 a year, Islamabad hopes that the Sterling
International Consulting Corporation can make Americans feel
warm and friendly to the country that bred and supported the
Taliban, harbors al Qaeda (and possibly Osama bin Laden himself),
and sold North Korea the equipment to enter the nuclear race..."
Pakistan's hostile actions towards us far far outnumber the
few good things that it has done to us during the past. It
has deceived us once before by posing as a ally. We shall
be deceived no longer.
Indian American (10/25):
After reading some of the postings here, I'm like.. Whoa Whoa
Whoa. Wait a minute here. It's Pakistan's image that has taken
a beating here in the U.S., in spite of all the free positive
publicity that it got from Christian Amanpour on CNN and Pamela
Constable at the Washington Post.
Pakistan now has hired a PR firm to refurbish it's image
sullied with the terrorist tag. Why drag India into it? Don't
tell me the Indians have that kind of an influence on the
American public!
Arvinder (10/25):
Pakistan needs help with PR; but at home and not in the United
States.
Shahrukh
(10/25):
It is ingratitude and shameless lies such as those posted
here that breeds anti-Americanism in Pakistan and elsewhere.
The Soviet Union was no danger to Pakistan, all Pakistan
had to do was to accept its supremacy in the region, as its
neighbor India did, and it would have faced no hostility from
USSR. However Pakistan did not do so, rather it stood with
the U.S. and helped it become the sole superpower that it
is today.
As per State Department figures, over a thousand Pakistanis
were killed between 1980 and 1987 as a direct result of the
Soviet Union and its client state India's terrorist acts in
Pakistan. How many Americans have died for Pakistan's battles?
The answer is zero. In fact America has always pulled a disappearing
act when Pakistan needed help.
Dishing out money is not the help Pakistan needs (most of
this money is returned by Pakistan with interest). Pakistan
needs help with its security environment which has been under
constant attack from the day Pakistan came into existence,
and Pakistan deserves this help from America because Pakistanis
have contributed with their blood to help America become the
strongest power today.
Pakistan's help to the U.S. predates the Soviet invasion
of Afghanistan. Pakistan has consistently followed a strong
pro-western foreign policy since its independence. Pakistan
joined American led security systems designed to contain Soviet
communism as far back as the 1950s and 1960s, which all contributed
towards American victory in the cold war.
American presidents continually take pride in America's superior
moral values; let America prove them right by securing a country
that has literally spilled its blood to guarantee American
security and supremacy. America indeed has a moral obligation
to ensure Pakistan enjoys the same security that it has helped
America achieve for its self. It is time for the U.S. to honor
its IOUs to Pakistan.
Sukhdev (10/24):
Why is everyone saying India is OK? Please check out the facts
before spewing the Bharty Janta Party's fascist policies.
http://www.dalitstan.org/holocaust/index.html
http://www.dalitstan.org/christian/
http://indianterrorism.mybravenet.com/index.htm
Sandeep Khurana (10/24):
Here is a country:
- Which has attacked its big neighbor 3 times (4 times if
you include Kargil).
- Realizing that it will never be able to win direct war
with India it started a proxy war by training and arming
terrorists in Punjab and then in Kashmir.
- While India exports river water to Pakistan, which is
the lifeline of the Pakistani economy, Pakistan exports
terrorism to India.
- While Indian politics are based on secularism, Pakistani
politics are based on hatred towards India and non-Muslims.
- When Indians were debating the issues related to their
economy and were training people in computer software and
biosciences and liberalizing their markets, Pakistanis were
busy fostering the Taliban and bin Ladens.
- While Muslim population in India has increased exponentially,
Hindu population in Pakistan has decreased 90%.
- India has a Muslim president, while in Pakistan it's beyond
imagination to think of any Hindu even becoming a minister.
- The Muslim language Urdu is prospering in India, while
the Hindu language Hindi is dead in Pakistan.
In spite of all this, India is still willing to talk to
Pakistan if they stop cross border terrorism. Is this a big
thing to ask?
I don't think this useless PR exercise will achieve any result.
Chris K (10/24):
What's interesting to note is that almost every single terrorist
accounted for has a Pakistani connection. And this is true
right from the days of Ramzi Yousef who first bombed the WTC
in 1994.
Then there is Omar Sheikh involved with Daniel Pearle's beheading.
And that Khalid Muhammed guy who the FBI says is the number
2 in Al-Qaeda. This Kuwaiti citizen of Pakistani descent was
disowned by both the countries. But there is no denying the
fact that he received training in Pakistan.
The 6 men of a terror cell arrested in Buffalo, NY had all
been to Pakistan.
Johnny Walker Lindh went to Pakistan, had a homosexual relationship
with a mullah there and then went to join the Taliban. Nothing
wrong with having a homosexual relationship with the mullah
but joining the Taliban???
So the bottom line is that people left to themselves in their
home environs are fine and dandy. They set one foot in Pakistan
and boom! they become brainwashed zombies.
This PR firm sure has one herculean task ahead and $600K
is a pittance for the job.
Not fooled by PR spins
(10/24):
No country does anything without its self-interests being
met. The same is more than true with respect to Pakistan during
it's much touted days as an American cold-war ally.
Pakistan needed us more than we needed them. It was in Pakistan's
interests to pretend to be our friend in order to save itself
from the USSR on the west (in Afghanistan) and India on the
east. And for all the refugees that Pakistan took during the
USSR war in Afghanistan, it gained a lot more than it could
ask for. It gained a lot of our financial assistance, it funneled
arms and ammunitions meant for the Afghan mujahideens, it
funneled aid resources and money meant for Afghan refugees
and it gained strategic depth after the Soviets left. So harping
on, "we were your friend" shouldn't fool us anymore.
In an article titled, "On the Frontier of Apocalypse"
(http://terror-threats.netfirms.com/article5.htm)
Christopher Hitchens writes, "In the 1980s, Pakistan
got a blank check from the U.S. to combat the Russians, and
spent much of the check in building up the Taliban. Now it
is getting another check and a brand-new interest-free mortgage
in order to pretend that the Taliban are its enemy. It just
doesn't get any better than this. I think the roots of the
all-pervasive anti-Americanism spring exactly from this mendicant's-begging-bowl
arrangement. Pakistanis know that they are bought and paid
for, and so the way to assert pride is to spit in the face
of those who have owned and used them. "
And as for the current on going war against terrorism, the
less said about this front-line ally (nice name, "al-lie"),
the better. In his TV address to the Pakistanis, Musharraf
reminded them of Muhammed having to make truce with the Jews
of Mecca until he found a more favorable time to defeat them.
He said he had to do the same and thus was forced to join
the front.
Next, Pakistan had no choice, especially after one of our
Senators threatened to bomb it back to the stone-age.
And even after joining the war, Pakistan has only put a lot
of impediments in the way. The 3 missions that Musharraf sent
to supposedly negotiate a surrender with the Taliban actually
discussed shoring up the Taliban defenses and retreat strategies.
These missions were by ISI officials who actually created
the Taliban in the first place.
For this show of sham friendship, Pakistan got its debt rescheduled,
undisclosed amounts of aid money and we literally pulled it
out of a debt trap.
And finally, only the army and the military dictatorship
in Pakistan wants us as their friend. Why? Because it pays
them by means of sophisticated defense technology (they almost
got the F-16s), renewed military exercises and thus a greater
hold on the people of their country.
There is no friendship here and definitely no altruism. The
common man there, barring a handful of educated elites, hates
us. So with a friend like this, who needs enemies?
Arnold Beichman (10/24):
Pakistan, like Saudi Arabia, needs more than just good PR.
They are nuclear armed and just elected a bin Laden ally to
power. First, they should bring themselves into the 21st century,
then they should cull their spy agency and stop sponsoring
Islamic terrorists.
Then the PR will take care of itself.
Thinker (10/24):
'Devils Advocate' is what comes to mind.
Al Goldman (10/24):
Once more Pakistan is out to fool the American public. The
difference this time is that they have the help of an American
PR firm.
S. Davis (10/24):
It goes to show that money talks...everyone has a price. That
goes for Pakistan (our 'al-lie') and Sterling International
Consulting Corp.
Chris Osborne (10/24):
Pakistan, its policies and its dictatorial and hypocritical
leaders suck. Pakistan is directly responsible for 9/11 on
our soil. This is the conclusion I have come to after reading
newspapers worldwide.
Ahmed (10/23):
Jeff Goldman has a selective view of
South Asian issues. India has an issue with all its neighbors
and this is precisely the reason why Pakistan, Sri Lanka &
Bangladesh have formed such a cooperative relationship.
Secondly, it is not only the Kashmir issue, were they is
"militancy" or "freedom" struggles, whatever
you may call it, but 12 or more states within Indian are involve
in armed rebellion.
As for India being a liberal democracy, it was only this
year that 2,000 Muslims were killed and Christian missionaries
from Australia were burned alive.
Finally, Mr. Goldman and others state Pakistan has not been
a "recent" ally of the USA. Which country was is
that Gary Powell flew out of on his ill fated mission over
the USSR? Which country became a staging ground for the USA's
battle against the USSR in Afghanistan? Which country was
it that facilitated Henry Kissenger's meeting with the Chinese?
Need I go on, for those not too sure, it ISN'T INDIA.
Jeff Goldman
(10/23):
To Malik Khan: The biggest problem Pakistanis
have is that they start pointing fingers at India for all
their woes instead of accepting the truth. I have a graduate
degree in South Asian Studies. I have been following the events
in South Asia for the last forty years and have visited all
of the countries in that region except Bhutan and Maldives.
It is easy for you to fool fellow Americans who may be unaware
of the facts, not me.
Calling India as "Epicenter of Terrorism" is a
big joke. India has been suffering for the last 20 years because
of the cross-border terrorism by Pakistan. They have lost
close to 100,000 lives, most of them civilians. Not even a
single Indian has been found to be associated with Taliban
or Al-Qaeda and the world knows very well what goes on in
Pakistan. When Pakistan gained independence, it had large
number of minorities. They have been persecuted and forcibly
converted to Islam and their number dwindled to few thousands
only. India has more Muslims than the population of Pakistan
and their numbers have increased since 1947.
A book published in 1981, The Islamic Bomb by Steve
Weissman (Time Books) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/081290978X/qid=1035382315/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/104-9703882-6407951?v=glance
clearly states the Nuclear program of Pakistan is being financed
by Saudi Arabia, Libya and Iraq. Gen Zia-ul-Haq, the military
dictator in the 1970s went to these countries flush with oil
money after the oil shock (1973) and Yom Kippur war asking
for funding for the N-Bomb to counter Israel, whereas in reality
it was aimed at India.
Pakistan supported the U.S. only after India had offered
unconditional support and military bases to United States.
If you recollect, Bush and Powell threatened Gen. Musharraf,
"Either you are with us or with them (Taliban)."
Only then did Pakistan become a U.S. ally. Even after 9/11,
Pakistani army regulars were in Afghanistan training Al-Qaeda
and Taliban fighting U.S. troops and had to be evacuated from
Mazar-i-Sharif.
It is not my assessment that Pakistan traded N-technology
for missiles with North Korea but that of The New York
Times and State Department officials.
Even during the recent stand-off between Indian and Pakistan,
it was Gen. Musharraf who was threatening the use of N-weapons
not India.
Pakistan should come out clean by giving up terrorism, handing
over all criminals and making peace with India.
Indian-American (10/23):
To Malik Khan: Why should India should
be labeled as terrorist state? It is Pakistan who supported
and breed al Qaeda. It is Pakistan who is supporting and breeding
terrorism in Kashmir and other parts of India. BJP is a democratically
elected government.
Muslims and Christians are living a 1,000 times safer life
in India than minorities in Pakistan. Show me any country
in the world where the majority is not trying to suppress
the minority. I know there are isolated incidents, but the
Indian Constitution has several provisions to protect minorities.
Does Pakistan offer any security for minorities?
Deep (10/23):
To Malik Khan: Whatever help Pakistan
is providing to America, is only to save its own skin. Everybody
knows which country is the "Epicenter of Terrorism."
If you don't know, let me enlighten you, it is "PAKISTAN."
It was Pakistan's terror chief whom you call "President"
that was the architect of the "Kargil War" with
India. It is this same person who controlled the terror organization
during that time and was the director of one of the trusts
that collected money to export terror to other countries.
Name any terrorist activity in the world and you will find
Pakistan involved in some way or the other. India is being
forced to defend itself because of your country's endless
supply of terrorists.
Lawman (10/23):
This is a good step in the right direction. Pakistan has consistently
helped America in its struggles, from opposing the Soviet
Union, to fighting fanatic muslims. It was Pakistan's crucial
help in liberating Afghanistan from Soviet occupation that
contributed to the disintegration of the Soviet empire. Had
Pakistan not helped, the Soviets would probably be controlling
the Middle East oil supplies; imagine what that would have
done for America's freedom.
Even when America has been hostile to Pakistan, Pakistani
governments have bent over backwards to help America. For
example, in Somalia, Pakistani troops died rescuing American
troops from Somali warlords, at a time when U.S. had imposed
multiple layers of sanctions damaging Pakistan's security
and economy.
Additionally, Pakistan has been helping America bring to
justice militant's long before the horrors of 9/11. Pakistan's
help was critical in the capture of Yousuf Ramzi, who tried
to blow up the Trade Centers in in 1993. This help was extended
again at a time when Pakistan was suffering under U.S. sanctions.
No other country would have lifted a finger to help America,
had they received treatment similar to Pakistan's. Yet Pakistan,
time and again, stood with the U.S. America has no better
example of a loyal friend than Pakistan, and it's time Pakistan's
contribution to preservation of American values and freedom
is recognized and rewarded.
Gary Elbein (10/22):
Time and again Pakistan has shown to be abetting terrorists
who threaten peace loving nations all over the world. However
Pakistan has managed to survive and escape American wrath.
The web and media around the world prove this.
It is time that America cut off the main supply line for
islamic terrorism, which is based in Pakistan and has been
consistently supported by respective Pakistani governments.
Analyst (10/22):
It's great that Pakistan is finally paying attention to the
media, and I hope Dan Pero and Sterling International Consulting
Corp. all the best with this.
Malik
Khan (10/22):
Mr. Crusader: Pakistan has played
a huge role in the "War on Terror" by providing
air force bases and protecting American troops in Afghanistan
by providing logistics support.
Mr. Jeff Goldman: I beg to differ
with you. The North Korea nuclear weapons program is much
older than Pakistan and probably more sophisticated. I disagree
with your assessment that Pakistan provided North Korea with
nuclear technology.
The American government knew about Iraq's nuclear program
throughout the 70s and 80s. The American government even knew
that Saudi Arabia was financing the Iraq nuclear program and
that Brazil was helping Iraq in acquiring equipment to build/test
nuclear devices, but kept quiet.
During the Iraq-Iran war the American government not only
provided both chemical/biological weapons but also helped
Iraq use chemical weapons against Iranian troops.
I agree that Pakistan has supported the Taliban (mainly
ISI, Inter-Service Intelligence). I am critical of many governments
that foster the radical Taliban.
India is no ally to any country. India should be labeled
as the "Epicenter of Terrorism." The racist Bharatiya
Janatha Party (BJP) is the Hindu nationalist coalition government.
Since the group came to power there has been an increase in
persecution and opposition of minorities, especially Christians
and Muslims.
An observer (10/21):
In spite of various propaganda to hoodwink the U.S. and the
western world, the truth is coming out that Pakistan is assisting
North Korea in building nuclear weapons in return for ICBMs.
However, certain propaganda prevents Pakistan from being called
a terrorist state as they have supported the Taliban and al
Qaeda for a decade.
Crusader
(10/21):
Time and again the paki's have betrayed us, whether it is
terrorism against us through Osama or supporting North Korea!!!
Only Israel and India are our allies against these terrorists!!
Jeff
Goldman (10/21):
Pakistan has emerged as the epicenter of terrorism. It exports
terrorists not only to India to harm civilians, disrupt democratic
processes with intentions of grabbing Kashmir but also trains
and shelters terrorists e.g. Richard Reid, bin Laden, bin-Saleih,
Jose Padelia, John Walker Lindh. Now we know that Pakistan
traded nuclear technology with missile technology with North
Korea. Throughout the 1980s & 90s, it kept stealing N-technology
and developing bombs while successive U.S. administrations
kept mum and acted as a dumb person. Today's U.S. administration
labels Iraq as a heretic state whereas it glosses over Pakistan.
It should attack Pakistan for our safety not Iraq. As of today,
we have no Richard Reids or John Walker Lindhs from Iraq.
Tony Medrano (10/20):
With so many terrorist lovers in our nation, no wonder we
are making no headway on the war on terror. It seems we have
already been paying Pakistan billions for what - sheltering
al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The war on terror needs to first
start in Pakistan, rather than Iraq.
Anti-bigot (10/20):
To Ashamed and American
PR: Did you two read the part where it says "Pakistan
is a vital ally in war against terror" Pakistan has been
an American ally for close to fifty years now.
Ashamed
To Be In Same Room With Some Folks (10/14):
I agree with American PR... Why don't
you just don your Keffiyah (with your corporate logo, of course),
and leave the US! There are a LOT of "friends" of
yours in other countries.
American
PR! (10/13):
Sell your soul buddy -- along with selling the rest of America
out. We don't need an APR in this industry. We need people
with ethics and morals. Duty, honor, country. I hear the Bin
Ladin account is up for bid, too.
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