The Gropers

President Zardari's trip is under scrutiny, and "glamorous" is now a word that is entering the diplomatic lexicon as a no-no. It would seem that our media instead of projection of the substantial issues around the trip have picked up on a very frivolous aspect of the discussions. This seriously diminishes the high value of the meeting (to both) parties.

To Governor Palin, meeting a newly elected president of a seriously embattled country, a cornerstone of US policy at a critical juncture of the efficacy of this very policy, when all options are being re-examined. To Pakistan, Governor Palin is not a hockey Mom, but the elected governor of a state and the running mate of a presidential hopeful of the Republican Party. She deserved the special protocol due to a head of state.

For she is 'almost' one. Sherry Rahman should not have made the inappropriate "how do you look so good" remark - certainly not within earshot of the reporters. Flattery is all very well in the Pakistani style, even so, as a Cabinet member she is not entitled to such liberties in public especially when outranked. The rank and protocol at such times is to be followed very strictly, and in a carefully laid out form.

We are a third world country, and President Zardari has just been elected. It is even more important that we observe the niceties of diplomacy with extreme care. It does seem that the handlers should have been more attentive, to avoid such incidents.