Pakistan and India - Lets Compromise

The US Embassy in Pakistan: fortress against terror threats
Protective measures include daily car searches and ramparts reinforced with steel.

By Gretchen Peters | Special to The Christian Science Monitor

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Standing in the leafy courtyard of the US Embassy here, it is hard to imagine this country may be the most dangerous posting in the world for American diplomats.

The government compound looks more like a country club. Lush gardens surround an Olympic-sized swimming pool, tennis courts, a restaurant, and a softball field. Then a siren rings, and embassy staff pour out of the building. ``Secure all classified materials. Close all windows,`` blares the voice of a Marine guard over the loudspeaker. ``At this time you are advised to evacuate.``

Staff pile into armored vans, guided by agents from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, the State Department agency that oversees America`s embassies and diplomats. ``Squeeze in! Squeeze in!`` shouts one agent.

The cars prepare to drive off, when another bell sounds. The drill is over. Regional Security Officer Michael Evanoff checks his watch: It took less than six minutes to empty the compound.

The US-led war in Afghanistan may have toppled the Taliban and ousted Al Qaeda terrorists from their long-time sanctuary. But it also flushed the problem into neighboring Pakistan, where homegrown extremist groups are now working alongside Al Qaeda, putting US installations and the small American community here under constant threat of attack.

``This is now the epicenter of terrorism,`` says Mr. Evanoff, who oversees security for the embassy and its consulates here. ``It really is. This is the only country I know in the world that has so many groups that are against the US or Western ideals.``

Last year alone, these groups pulled off seven strikes against the US community here, including a March church bombing in Islamabad that killed five - among them an American woman from the embassy and her daughter - and a June truck bomb at the Karachi consulate that killed 14 Pakistanis.

Last month, the Karachi outpost avoided another major attack when local police arrested Yemeni national Waleed bin Attash and five other alleged Al Qaeda members with 300 pounds of explosives. It`s believed that Mr. Attash, suspected of playing a leading role in the USS Cole attack, planned to bomb the consulate.

The routine attacks and constant threats - intelligence officials and diplomatic security staff often analyze as many as five a day - have turned the US installations here into virtual fortresses. The sprawling compound in Islamabad is surrounded by thick brick ramparts, topped with razor wire, and reinforced by steel pillars to keep a vehicle from smashing through.

Staff members have been trained to check their cars for bombs and their residences for suspicious behavior. In 2001, two diplomats found small explosive devices had been attached to their cars using magnets.

The embassy staff here drills routinely, practicing scenarios that range from car bombs to a sudden attack by an angry mob. In 1979, Pakistani students, enraged by a false radio report which claimed the US had bombed Islam`s holy site at Mecca, stormed the embassy and burned much of it to the ground, endangering dozens of diplomats holed up in a reinforced area. Hence, explains Evanoff, the current plan to evacuate.

Ambassador Nancy Powell travels through town in an armored car, with two diplomatic security agents always at her side. When she visits consulates in Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi, she is trailed by pickup trucks packed with elite, US-trained Pakistani forces. To deter would-be attackers, few of her movements are ever announced in advance. ``I do a lot of things at the last minute,`` says Ambassador Powell. ``My official events have not been hampered by this. I go where I need to go.``

Yet employees here say the overall stress of the environment, coupled with daily practices like checking one`s car for bombs, do take a toll. ``It`s always in the back of your mind,`` says Angie Bryan, the embassy`s refugee coordinator. ``You don`t go out in town and feel overt hostility, but you know that the ... people here who don`t like us are willing to do something about it.``

Diplomatic security agents do more than just guard diplomatic staff - they also review a daily flood of threats. And they`ve had some success averting tragedy. A bomb attack planned for another Protestant church on Christmas Eve never took place, after Evanoff and his staff got wind of the scheme and contacted local officials.

``It was the best Christmas present we could have had,`` Evanoff says. Yet the constant threats have affected the US Embassy`s effectiveness in other ways.

The State Department has dramatically reduced staff in Pakistan, even though President Pervez Musharraf has became a valued ally in the US war on terror. That means temporary personnel often make up the bulk of the staff. More than 7,000 temporary staffers have come through Pakistan since Sept. 11, a State Department record.

US Ambassador Nancy Powell admits the constant turnover puts a strain on contacts in a country where personal relationships with local officials are crucial. ``For those working on economic assistance, or on our law-enforcement programs, making the contacts and getting up to speed on the political situation in Pakistan is absolutely key,`` she says. ``And [turnover] is a detriment.``

Employees also grumble about the fact that Pakistan has been a singles-only posting since Sept. 11, meaning partners and children must stay home. Coping with loneliness is a common theme at the American Club bar, though most diplomats say they would make the same decision to come if they had it to do over.

``I think it is a question virtually everyone asks themselves,`` says Deputy Chief of Mission William Monroe, who left his family behind when he came to work in Pakistan. ``You feel you are doing something so important that it is hard to say, gee, I wish I hadn`t done this.``

Were Pakistanis even aware that a ban existed

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Kuwait lifts ban on work visa for Pakistanis

By Asim Yasin

ISLAMABAD: Kuwait has lifted ban on work visa from Pakistani workforce after seven years. Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Abdul Sattar Lalika told a press conference here on Monday that ``Kuwait government officially informed the Pakistan government about its decision to remove all kind of visa restriction on Pakistani workforce``.

He said the Kuwaiti team would arrive here during the month of July for recruitment of workforce. Giving the details of his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi, he said he had pledged the case for Pakistan and also remained successful in recognising the FCPS degree from Kuwaiti authorities.

``Earlier this post graduate degree was not recognised by the Kuwaiti authorities that proved to be a major hindrance on way to Pakistani doctors getting jobs there,`` he added.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, he said the Saudi government agreed to extend the tenure of Pakistani cab drivers to 26 months from six months. ``These 20,000 cab drivers, had to leave Saudi Arabia within next six months, but now it has been agreed to extend their tenure of stay for another 20 months,`` he added.

He said the Saudi government has also promised to provide five x-ray machines to control drug smuggling. ``These machines would be fixed on five Pakistani airports for screening and checking drug smuggling,`` he added.

He said during his meeting with the authorities of Saudi Arab, Qatar, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi they hailed the role of President General Pervez Musharraf against terrorism. ``They also praised the policies of Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali for the continuation of economic policies for strengthen the economic condition of Pakistan,`` he added.

He said the government would ensure that no foreigner could avail visa on Pakistani passport in these countries. He asked Pakistanis working in these countries not to indulge any kind of political activities. ``If any complaints received in this regard the government will call back those Pakistan who were found involved in political activities in violation of laws of these countries,`` he added.

Tipu #194

`` Not all indians EXPOSED to Brutish language and cuklturebecame victim to there design of turning us into thee unamed AGENTS ...

When they dismiss Arabic & Sanskrit (so this you cant deny yourself) as equivalent to self of his private book collection against british ...``

I am not dissing out any language. Do you have any idea how much knowledge is created in the English language. Even advanced societies like France, Germany, Japan have trouble keeping with English publications and translating them into native languages.

`` AT LEAST MUSLIM WHO PRESVED EVERYHING FROMMEDICINE TOMATHEMATICS ..Like an honest return back to the rennaisence ..1400 which arrogant British start calleng WEST ?????????????????``

Please save this crap for yourself. Name one major disease Muslims found a cure for.

Arab, Chinese, Maya, Indian knowledge of science and medicine is extremely primitive compared to even 19th century Western science and medicine.

Get over it. The West has created a highly advanced system (it has a lot of flaws). Beat them at their own game. Otherwise shut up.

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Tipu #190

`` Blacks (afro Americans ) BUIT America
THEY are 30 millins over i usa ``

I wonder why they could not build Haiti, Brazil, Domincian Republic and Africa.

`` Ahmedis are Macauleys child like English infected Rabies ``

Huh ??

Most of Pakistani elite study under Maculay system of education. So do most of the Indian elite and code coolies.

#185 by ahmadzai on May 17, 2003 8:23am PT

[I hope that you will now let go of this issue, otherwise the discussion may unintentionally take a turn on other religions and may injure lot of feelings due to nastiness that may come along with it. ]

This is a discussion forum, and when we talk, we try to put forward constructive opinions that may not change the world, but can at least change the way we think. I don`t think letting go of an issue that points to the nadir of human depravity is going to solve it. I understand that my own country/religion has quite a few faults, and I`m willing to discuss them without getting hurt, so what`s the problem?

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Could nt help but agree whole heartedly with this article.
Lets hope we get rid ( economically, socially, and if possible, physically ) of the warp-headed muslim fanatics quickly.
That, is the only way forwards.

I got a chuckle at this

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White Lies
It is generally believed that when Washington wants things done, it sends in the remorseless Richard Armitage, a daily 200-benchpresser to deliver its wish list. Last week the barrelchested wrestler, who can bloody anybody`s nose, was in Islamabad for another bout, this time on Kashmir.
A story has it that after an audience with the top brass, Armitage had, what he thought would be a freestyle encounter with prominent parliamentarians from all parties to gauge any resistance. He need not have practised his moves because the match was a walkover. The parliamentarians that gathered had but one request. Could Armitage assist in solving problems faced by their sons and daughters, working or studying in the US.

Reportedly the meeting developed into an INS helpline with people seeking his intervention. Parliamentarians slipped him their telephone, fax and e-mail details and the US heavyweight flew out of Islamabad feeling he knew who would receive his calls, should the occasion so demand.

ahmadzai #185

``Ahmedism is a religious issue. I don`t want to get into this, because it may hurt some feelings on this site. ``

I am sure the treatment of Blacks was a sensitive issue in Southern USA in the 1960`s. I hope you get the drift.

Reply ahmadzai #185

ahmadzai, of course you can believe what you want about whether ahmadias are muslims or not, but what does this personal belief of yours logically have to do with the gop handing out passports to its citizens, and what does any belief about islam have to do with passport applications?

harish_hyd at # 183:

Ahmedism is a religious issue. I don`t want to get into this, because it may hurt some feelings on this site.

Suffice is to say that in all the religions there are certain injunctions that cannot be challenged from human rights point of view. I can give you examples from Hinduism and Christianity if the participants on this site allow me do so.

But let me assure you that in Pakistan, Ahmedis are enjoying very good positions in for example in the bureaucracy, education and army (not in for example, sports, airforce and navy though).

I hope that you will now let go of this issue, otherwise the discussion may unintentionally take a turn on other religions and may injure lot of feelings due to nastiness that may come along with it.

I sincerely hope you understand.

#171 by rsridhar on May 14, 2003 6:34am PT
Let Pakistani’s give it any name. We are just talking about elected representatives of the people of Kashmir. The extremist know they have a very small electoral base at best. That is why they look for an excuse not to fight elections.
AGP in assam also made tall claims. Made a deal with the central govt. fought an election and actually won. But soon realized that it was easier pointing fingers. They lost the next election.

Regards,

Faruk

#181 by HisExcellency on May 14, 2003 2:32pm PT

Thank you for your post. You given an elaborate explanation why Pakistanis have sacrificed politicall freedom for economic benefits. I have nothing against this choice, its for Pakistanis
to decide what’s in their best interest. The Chinese have done something similar.

My question to you is still the same. Why don’t you wish the same thing for the Kashmir’s. Were they not better of economically in the pre insurgency days ? They even had more political freedom than Pakistani’s have today.


Regards,

Faruk