Dashing hopes

ONE should have expected that US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher would be making a farewell call in the last days of the Bush administration of which he is a functionary and appreciating Pakistan's role in the US-sponsored War on Terror. But he chose to administer warnings against talks with the Taliban even those who would lay down their arms, ignoring that Pakistan had already done more than it could. Mr Boucher who is believed to have been on a fact-finding mission to assess the outcome of President Asif Ali Zardari's recent visit to China rounded off his three-day visit to Islamabad by telling the media at a briefing at the US Embassy that, "there is no money on the table (from the Friends of Pakistan)".
There is hardly any reason to get carried away with rhetorics like the United States is satisfied with Pakistan's military action against terrorists when Mr Boucher was seen dishing out 'tough talk' on various issues in his meetings with Pakistani leaders. It was also indicated that he minced no words in conveying to President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani US administration's serious reservations against any talks with Taliban. The message comes at a time when Islamabad is planning to negotiate with militants who are prepared to lay down their arms. The idea resonates with what Centcom Chief General David Petraeus believes that there are 'reconcilable' insurgents who can be persuaded to abandon militancy. If the news reports are to be believed the American diplomat also warned that any action contrary to his administration's desire would expose Islamabad to aid cut-off from the United States. Mr Boucher should have behaved like a diplomat.
It will however be a test for our elected leadership to deal with such threats without compromising the national interest. Mian Nawaz Sharif who now seems to be gradually evolving his view about fighting militants would be advised to extend support to the government in its effort to devise a strategy to meet the grave challenges facing the country.