Weird stuff.
Its pretty obvious that this relationship will end in tears.
US foreign policy was always pretty weird anyway.
Saddam used to be your pal too of course.
It actually makes a lot more sense if you look at it from that kind of perspective.
------------------------------------
Bush names Pakistan 'major ally'
By Rob Watson
BBC correspondent, Washington
Pakistani forces often co-ordinate attacks with US troops in Afghanistan
President George W Bush has upgraded relations with Pakistan by formally naming it as a major non-Nato ally.
The move was first announced by the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, during a visit to Pakistan in March.
This is a reward - Washington's way of thanking Pakistan for its co-operation in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan now joins the small club of nations to enjoy the status of being what is known as a major non-Nato ally of the US.
Such status means Pakistan is now eligible for a series of benefits in the area of foreign aid and defence co-operation, including priority delivery of defence items.
Symbolic
But the symbolism is more important than the substance.
Only six years ago, Pakistan was under US sanctions after conducting nuclear tests.
Now it is in the same exclusive club as such close American friends as Israel and South Korea.
In a strange irony of timing though, the president's announcement of Pakistan's new status coincided with a report from the commission investigating the 11 September 2001 attacks which accused Islamabad of helping the Taleban to shelter Osama Bin Laden - but then that was before the US and Pakistan became friends again.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3814013.stm
Its pretty obvious that this relationship will end in tears.
US foreign policy was always pretty weird anyway.
Saddam used to be your pal too of course.
It actually makes a lot more sense if you look at it from that kind of perspective.
------------------------------------
Bush names Pakistan 'major ally'
By Rob Watson
BBC correspondent, Washington
Pakistani forces often co-ordinate attacks with US troops in Afghanistan
President George W Bush has upgraded relations with Pakistan by formally naming it as a major non-Nato ally.
The move was first announced by the US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, during a visit to Pakistan in March.
This is a reward - Washington's way of thanking Pakistan for its co-operation in the war against terrorism.
Pakistan now joins the small club of nations to enjoy the status of being what is known as a major non-Nato ally of the US.
Such status means Pakistan is now eligible for a series of benefits in the area of foreign aid and defence co-operation, including priority delivery of defence items.
Symbolic
But the symbolism is more important than the substance.
Only six years ago, Pakistan was under US sanctions after conducting nuclear tests.
Now it is in the same exclusive club as such close American friends as Israel and South Korea.
In a strange irony of timing though, the president's announcement of Pakistan's new status coincided with a report from the commission investigating the 11 September 2001 attacks which accused Islamabad of helping the Taleban to shelter Osama Bin Laden - but then that was before the US and Pakistan became friends again.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3814013.stm
