From Daily Planet Staff Reports

The ramifications of a United States pullout from Pakistan was among the issues fielded by William B. Milam, a former U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, during a question-and-answer session following his Dec. 7 speech at UNC Asheville’s Owen Conference Center.

Earlier, Milam had addressed “Pakistan: The Political Version of the Frankenstein Legend.”

In opening the Q&A, a man said, “The current ambassador of Afghanistan suggested we not send 30,000 troops there. Please address this and how it will affect Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Milam replied by rephrasing his understanding of the ambassador assertion as: “Don’t send the 30,000 troops, unless (Afghani President) Hamid Karzai cleans up his policies.”

However, Milam warned, “If we lose Afghanistan, we’ll also lose in Pakistan. There’s no question in my mind about that.”

“In other words, if we were to leave, Pakistan would be in serious trouble within months ... No responsible person on the national scene (in the U.S.) thought we should pull out of Afghanistan ... I think the president (Barack Obama) did what he had to.:

Milam said this strategy “has a chance of success ­ — that’s what I think.”

A woman asked how Pakistanis deal with terrorists, such as the Taliban.

“Pakistanis are not particularly happy with the possibility of a Taliban state. Why do they cooperate? Fear,” Milam said, noting that tribal leaders that oppose them are often murdered ... They (the Taliban) have guns — and most other Pakistanis don’t have guns.”

A man asked about U.S. policy in mediating the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India — and if it included making sure nuclear weapons in Pakistan are secure if the government is toppled.

The U.S. has endeavored to play “a thoughtful role in Kashmir, but India didn’t want us to,” Milam said. “The U.S. government has not failed to realize that we’ve got to get something done in Kashmir. On the nuclear (issue), I’m not too worred about” it. “I think they’re secure. I suspect we’ve got some plans on the books. If we think the (Pakistani) military would fail, we could get those weapons out.”

A man asked, “Is there some action or person” that could move the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan “in the right or wrong direction?”

“That’s a very tough question,” Milam replied. “I don’t think there’s any one person who’d make a different right now.

If Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in December 2007, had instead lived, “she would have made a difference,” he said.

Regarding the continued terrorism incidents, Milam asserted, “If these attacks don’t trail off after a while, I think Pakistan is in real trouble because the army may just throw up its hands and say they can’t deal with this.”

As for the suicide bombers, most of whom have little or no education, “these guys are recruited by a pack of lies” with a reward offered in an afterlife, Milam said.

“What we’ve got to do. We’ve got to hang in there for a long time. First, we have to prove to Pakistan that we’re in it for the long haul. I think that’s what the president (Barack Obama) was trying to do” in assurances expressed in a recent speech on the matter.

The U.S. has committed to spending $1.5 billion annually for five years in foreign aid to Pakistan.

“We should have been providing money for Pakistani education for years ... We need to provide more stability in the relationship. The Pakistani people — there’s nothing inherently anti-American in their view. We (just) really need to win them over.

“We need to work better at public diplomacy ... This is not easy because most of the people are illiterate. They are the tools of the local imams. The literacy rate is around 50 percent. Most of the suicide bombers are 16 or 17 years old. It’s very sad, but that’s the way it is.”

A man noted that the U.S. is “relatively small (population-wise) and we’re a debtor nation,” so why can’t India and China take America’s place in dealing with the situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan?” The man added, “It’s almost like the ‘White Man’s Burden.’”

“Well, India has it’s own fish to fry,” Milam replied, citing it’s long-term conflicts with Pakistan. He also said, “The Indians are rather parochial” in their approach to foreign affairs.

“If the Taliban were to take over Pakistan and Afghanistan,” the entire Middle East likely would ignite in violence, threatening the rest of the world.

“It’s not the ‘White Man’s Burden,’” Milam insisted.

“Secondly, we’re the only country in the world that can project force. China can’t, despite it’s one and a half billion population, (massive quantity of) American dollars in reserves. India can, but it has problems” that keep it from entering the fray.

A woman asked if the U.S. aid will help the Pakistani schools.

“Gosh, I hope so,” Milam said. “Maybe they’ll get it right. They need schools with infrastructure and many more teachers.”

A woman asked if it is possible to put “pressure” on the Taliban.

Milam repeated earlier remarks that the Taliban is armed and trained, while the Pakistani civilians are not, so they fear the terrorists, knowing there would be no hesistation in killing those who stand up to the Tailban.
The way for the U.S. to pressure the Taliban would be to “rain” drone missiles down on the Taliban, but Milam wondered “if it would be wise” policy.

“If we play it right and ignore the (public) uproar, and try to minimize collateral damage to (Pakistani) civilians,” it could be effective, Milam said.