McCaul Discusses Trade, Not Aid, with Pakistan President
November 8, 2011
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari discussed the idea of increased trade between the two countries as the key to a long-term trust that is needed to advance their mutual interest of dismantling terrorists in the volatile region.
Both leaders described U.S.-Pakistani relations as a "bad marriage where divorce is not an option" because of the shared threat of extremism both nations face. However, Rep. McCaul was clear that the terms of the relationship moving forward must change after it was revealed Osama Bin Laden had been living in close proximity to Pakistan's military academy before he was killed by U.S. forces. "I tried to make it clear to him that foreign aide from the United States is in jeopardy, especially in the House," Congressman McCaul said. "This directly reflects the sentiment of the American people."
Congressman McCaul, who chairs Homeland Security Oversight & Investigations in the U.S. House and serves on the Foreign Affairs Middle East Subcommittee, led the only U.S. Congressional delegation to meet with President Zardari in Karachi. Rep. McCaul expressed that a trade agreement would boost Pakistan's economy, so reliance on American aid would be much less significant.
Under President Zardari, Congressman McCaul noted, Pakistan has shown a move toward normalizing relations with neighboring India, which will allow Pakistan to divert more resources away from the Kashmir to fight the terrorists in the Federally Administrated Tribal Area (FATA). Those resources are needed to prevent terrorist organizations such as the Taliban and Haqqani network, the insurgency group fighting against U.S. forces in Afghanistan, from taking over Pakistan, and potentially gaining control of that country's nuclear arsenal.
"I sense a willingness to work with the United States against a common enemy and I think it is in our nation's best interest to pursue strengthening our relationship," McCaul said. "The question is 'how much control does Zardari have over his own military and the ISI?'"
Accompanying Rep. McCaul in the delegation were Congressmen Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Henry Cuellar (D–TX) and Gene Green (D-TX).
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