PAKISTAN’S RELATIONS WITH UNITED STATES

Pakistan's relationship with the West, particularly the United States, was of major
importance. Geographically the USA is not a neighbour of Pakistan, but interests of
politician, Bureaucracy and Generals have brought both the countries close together.
The United States and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947.

Liaquat Ali Khan's Visit 1950

In 1949, the US Secretary of State extended invitation to the Prime Minister Liaquat Ali
Khan for a visit to the United States. The Prime Minister visited USA at the end of 1950.
During his visit he tried to identify Pakistan as more near to the West and Islam more
near to Christianity than to Communism and begged for economic and military aid.

SEATO and CENTO 1954-55

Pakistan's relations with the United States developed against the backdrop of the Cold
War. Pakistan's strategic geographic position made it a valuable partner in Western
alliance systems to contain the spread of communism. In 1954 Pakistan signed a Mutual
Defence Agreement with the United States and subsequently became a member of
SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization).
The U.S. agreement to provide economic and military assistance to Pakistan and the
latter's partnership in the Baghdad Pact CENTO and SEATO strengthened relations
between the two nations.

Pakistan as Washington's Closest Ally

Pakistan also used as a base for United States military reconnaissance flights over Soviet
territory. During the cold War years, Pakistan was considered one of Washington's
closest allies in Asia. Pakistan, in return, received large amounts of economic and
military assistance.

1965 and 1971 Wars and United States

The United States suspended military assistance to both the countries involved in the
conflict of 1965. However, the U.S. suspension of military assistance during the 1965
Indo-Pakistan was generated a widespread feeling in Pakistan that the United States
was not a reliable ally. The United States embargo on arms shipments to Pakistan
remained in place during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and was not lifted until 1975.
Gradually, relations improved and arms sales were renewed in 1975. United States-
Pakistani relations preceding the 1971 was were characterized by poor communication
and much confusion.

Withdraw from SEATO and CENTO

Following the lost of East Wing, Pakistan withdrew from SEATO. Pakistan's military links
with the West continued to decline throughout Bhutto's tenure in power and into the
first years of the Zia regime. CENTO was disbanded following the fall of the Shah of Iran
in March 1979, and Pakistan then joined the Nonaligned Movement. Zia also continued
Bhutto's policy of developing Pakistan's nuclear capability.

Cease of Economic Assistance

Developing Pakistan's nuclear capability policy had originated as a defensive measure in
reaction to India's explosion of a nuclear device in 1974. In April 1979, President Jimmy
Carter cut off economic assistance to Pakistan, except for food assistance, as required
under the Symington Amendment to the Foreign Assistance act of 1961. This
amendment called for ceasing economic assistance to those countries that had
imported uranium-enrichment technology. Relations between the United States and
Pakistan were further strained in November 1979 when protesters sacked the United
States embassy i Islamabad, resulting in the death of four persons. The violence had
been sparked by a false report that the United States was involved in a fire at the Grand
Masjid in Macca.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan and American's Changed Policy

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 revived the close relationship
between Pakistan and the United States. Initially, however the President Carter lifted
the ban on aid to Pakistan and in January 1980, offered a package of US$ 400 million
economic and military aid to Pakistan which was rejected by General Zia-ul-Haq, who
termed it"peanuts". Under President Ronald Reagan, the United States agreed in 1981
to provide US$ 3.2 billion to Pakistan aimed at helping Pakistan deal with the
heightened threat to security in the region and its economic development needs.
However, although the Symington Amendment was waived, the amount was subject to
the annual appropriation process. A second economic and military assistance program
was announced in April 1986, this time for over US$ 4.0 billion, with 57 percent for
economic assistance. With U.S, assistance in the largest covert operation in history -
Pakistan armed and supplied anti-Soviet fighters in Afghanistan, eventually defeating
the Soviets, who withdrew in 1988.

Pressler Amendment 1985

On October 01, 1990 however, the United States suspended all military assistance and
new economic aid to Pakistan under the Pressler Amendment, which required that the
President certify annually that Pakistan "does not possess a nuclear explosive device".
For several years, the United States president, with Pakistan's assurances that its
nuclear program was for peaceful uses, was able to make this certification. However,
with the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the Cold War, the United
States took a harder position on the nuclear weapons issue and President George Bush
refused to make the certification required under the Pressler Amendment, and
assistance to Pakistan was subsequently terminated. Further, the supply of F-16 jet
fighters was also stopped for which Pakistan had already paid $650 million to the US.

Sanctions on alleged transfer of M-11 missiles

Pakistan's retention of the nuclear option became a defining issue in its relations with
the United States. USA another action in regard of the nuclear issue occurred in
September 1993 when the US imposed sanctions against China and Pakistan on alleged
transfer of M-11 missiles to Pakistan labeling it a violation of the MTCR (Missile
Technology Control Regime).

Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's Visit to US 1995

In the background of the number of unresolved issues including nuclear non-
proliferation, delivery of F-16s, alleged supply of M-11 missiles by China, Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto paid an official visit to Washington in April 1995. The joint statement
failed to mention any solution to these issues. Pakistan and US signed in Washington
Memoranda of Unterstanding providing for $6 million of investment by American
companies in Pakistan.

Brown Amendment 1995

According to US officials the Pressler Amendment was a hurdle in the normalization of
Pak-US relations. As a result, on 21st September 1995, the US Senate under Clinton
Administration passed the Brown Amendment to lessen its negative impact. The
amendment opened the way for 28 undelivered F-16s to be sold to a third country and
the money refunded to Pakistan, release of $368 million worth defense equipment,
restoration of corporation in such areas as narcotics control, international terrorism,
peace keeping and the availability of US insurance cover for investment made in
Pakistan.

Nuclear Weapon Tests 1998

India's decision to conduct nuclear tests in May 1998 and Pakistan's matching response
set back U.S. relations in the region. President Clinton's visit to Pakistan scheduled for
the first quarter of 1998 was postponed and under the Glenn Amendment, sanctions
restricted the provisions of credits, military sales, economic assistance and loans to the
government. An intensive dialogue on nuclear nonproliferation and security issues was
initiated with discussion focusing on CTBT (Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty) signature
and ratification. Pakistan declared that it would sign the treaty only when India did so
first.

Nawaz Sharif's Meeting with President Clinton 1998

The relations improved a little after the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's meeting
with President Clinton in Washington in December 1998. As a consequence, the
economic sanctions imposed by the US after the Nuclear Test were eased. A notable
achievement was a resolution of the F-16s issue and accordingly US released $436.7
million to Pakistan as a claim in connection with the F-16 aircrafts. But the October 1999
overthrow of the democratically elected Sharif government triggered an additional layer
of sanctions with include restrictions on foreign military financing and economic
assistance. U.S. Government assistance to Pakistan was limited mainly to refugee and
counter-narcotics assistance.

September 11 attacks and Pakistan-US relationship

History changed its course on September 11, 2001 when deadly terrorists attacks
destroyed World Trade Centre at New York and severally damaged the Pentagon in
Washington. More than 5,000 people were killed in this attack. The 9/11 incidence gave
a new direction to the global politics.
The Pakistan-US relationship changed significantly when Pakistan moved decisively to
ally itself with the United States in its war against Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. It
gave the U.S. a number of military airports and bases for its attack on Afghanistan. It has
arrested over five hundred Al-Qaeda members and handed them over to the United
States. In response the United States stepped up its economic assistance to Pakistan
providing debt relief.

President Musharraf's Visit to US 2003

President Musharraf visited United States in June 2003 and both Presidents negotiated
on 24th June 2003 at Camp David. Afterwards President Bush announced to provide
Pakistan $3 billion economic and military aid and plainly refused about the delivery of F-
16s.
The Bush Administration expressed its desire that "an enhanced and enduring
relationship" with Pakistan would continue to thrive in the years ahead. Continuing
interest of President Bush and personal diplomacy of Secretary Powell to defuse border
tension between Pakistan and India also reflected the US desire for enhanced
constructive engagement in the region.

Pakistan as major Non-NATO ally

In March, 2004 the United States designated Pakistan as a "major Non-NATO ally". This
move will significantly enhance military cooperation between the two countries and
enable Pakistan to purchase modern military equipment, satellite technology, depleted
uranium ammunition and enhance cooperation in defense sector, research and
development with US.