US-Pakistan
disarray
Just how grim[1] is the state of the US-Pakistan relationship was made
clear by comments from America’s highest-ranking military officer in Washington
on Friday. In the words of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen Martin
Dempsey, the relationship is “a mess”[2]. His words were blunt,[3] but should come as no surprise. The Pakistan military is
clearly convinced that its soldiers were intentionally attacked, a stance Gen
Dempsey called “incomprehensible”. The head of Pakistan’s military operations,
in briefings to lawmakers[4] on Thursday, apparently made no bones about[5] this belief that the Nato strike was deliberate and
perhaps even pre-planned. Theoretically such an idea would imply the end of any
alliance there may have been.
But
while the militaries continue to talk at[6]
each other, the governments finally seem to be talking to each other. After its
initial uproar,[7]
the Pakistani administration appears to have decided it is time to dial the
tension down a notch.[8]
Reports emerging from Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar’s meeting with the
American ambassador indicate that the Pakistan government has signalled a
desire to move on from the incident, even if that involves reshaping the terms
of cooperation. And while there was some tough talk from the prime minister
during his meeting with Gen Kayani on Friday, in recent days he too has toned
down[9]
his rhetoric[10]
and acknowledged the reality that the relationship is an important one.
(Adapted from Dawn, 10 December 2011)
[1] unpleasant and depressing
[2] a difficult situation with a lot of problems
[3] very direct; saying exactly what you think without trying
to be polite
[4] a person in government who makes the laws of a country;
legislator
[5] was honest and open about
[6] speak to somebody without listening to what they say in
reply
[8] calm down, or decrease in intensity;
reduce
[9] soften; moderate; make less extreme or offensive
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