US seeking to reclaim image through flood-relief aid in Pakistan: Holbrooke
August 15th, 2010 - 1:41 pm ICT by ANI
Washington, Aug 15(ANI): US Special Envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard C. Holbrooke, has admitted that the Obama administration is seeking to use the continuous aid package for flood-stricken Pakistan to burnish its dismal image in the country.
“If we do the right thing, it will be good not only for the people whose lives we save, but for the U.S. image in Pakistan,” The New York Times quoted Holbrooke, as saying.
“The people of Pakistan will see that when the crisis hits, it’s not the Chinese. It’s not the Iranians. It’s not other countries. It’s not the E.U. It’s the U.S. that always leads,” he added.
According to a survey conducted last month by the Pew Global Attitudes Project, 68 percent of Pakistanis have an unfavorable view of the US.
The survey also suggested that Pakistanis have next to no confidence in US President Barack Obama, as his favorability rating was just eight per cent.
Meanwhile, American officials hope that images of Navy and Marine Corps helicopters ferrying supplies and plucking people from rain-swollen rivers will at least begin to counteract the bad will generated by US drone strikes against militants in Pakistan. “This is a country where we have an enormous interest in their going after the Taliban and other extremist jihadi groups,” said Mark L. Schneider, a senior vice president at the International Crisis Group, a nonprofit organization that focuses on conflict resolution.
“If this kind of activity supports the Pakistani government and people supporting the Pakistani government, it’s all to the good,” he added.
The US has already pledged 76 million dollars as initial humanitarian assistance for the flood-affected country.
Apart from the money, the US has so far sent hundreds of marines, 33 helicopters and 18 boats to support its rescue and relief efforts.
A US Embassy Spokesman in Islamabad confirmed that all the US troops and assets were put at the disposal of the Pakistani Armed Forces to tackle the unprecedented disaster.
“Our response has been consistent with our humanitarian values and our deep commitment to Pakistan,” the spokesman said. (ANI)
- US sends choppers to bolster aid efforts in flood-hit Pak - Aug 14, 2010
- Pak gets two more US army choppers for flood relief operations - Sep 02, 2010
- US to send additional 18 helicopters for Pak flood relief - Aug 29, 2010
- Holbrooke justifies drone strikes in Pakistan - Sep 17, 2010
- US vows to continue supporting Pak amid devastating floods - Aug 29, 2010
- US supports emergency humanitarian aid to North Korea - Aug 06, 2011
- Two U.S. Navy helicopters arrive in Pakistan to provide aid to flood relief efforts - Aug 15, 2010
- US will only support a democratically elected Pak government: Holbrooke - Sep 16, 2010
- Angelina Jolie Issues a plea for Pakistan - Sep 02, 2010
- Pak flood relief: China offers additional 30mn dollars, more troops and choppers - Sep 07, 2010
- US frustrated with Zardari's political free-fall following poor flood relief response - Aug 18, 2010
- West has little option other than to support 'fragile' Zardari govt in Pak: WP - Jan 07, 2011
- Latino voters sticking with Obama, Democrats: Poll - Dec 29, 2011
- US, Pak will try to improve diplomatic ties during strategic dialogue - Oct 19, 2010
- 'Pak Army 'plotting overthrow' of PPP-led government over lack of governance' - Aug 14, 2010
Tags: american officials, barack obama, conflict resolution, embassy spokesman, enormous interest, flood relief, holbrooke, humanitarian assistance, international crisis group, marine corps helicopters, new york times, pakistani government, pakistanis, pew global attitudes, pew global attitudes project, relief efforts, richard c, senior vice president, swollen rivers, unfavorable view