- Jul 27, 2003
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Some background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran–Pakistan–India_gas_pipeline
Last week Zardari visited Iran and vowed to expedite the pipeline with Iran's help.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/246023/...ng-to-build-pakistan-section-of-gas-pipeline/
Now one local newspaper says the Americans are threatening Pakistani companies with sanctions if they go ahead with the project.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/251902/...don-iran-gas-pipeline-project/#comment-339489
So realistically, what is Pakistan supposed to do? We have a severe energy crisis. The Americans refuse to sign an atomic energy agreement with us and refuse to let us build a gas pipeline with Iran. WTF?
(2)
I also see a major change in Pakistan's foreign policy. Iran just offered us $100 million for helping our flood victims. That eclipses even China's $5 million in help. What do Americans think of Iran's growing influence in the region. Is America's AF-PAK policy failing?
I also don't think Pakistan is going to back out of this project no matter what. If they were going to back out, it would have been before the president visited Iran. This is a strategic multi-billion dollar project and the USA doesn't have anything to offer that could better this deal. While the USA has signed an energy deal with India, they have snubbed us. They managed to convince India to stay out of this deal but their double standards regarding the nuclear agreement has convinced Pakistan that the USA will not serve their interests in the long term.
Besides, I'm pretty convinced that the USA is an unreliable ally and may slap sanctions upon us at any time. No reason to trust them. It is a much better option to strengthen our relations with the growing powers in our region: China, India and Iran rather than rely on an unpredictable and dying superpower.
Last week Zardari visited Iran and vowed to expedite the pipeline with Iran's help.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/246023/...ng-to-build-pakistan-section-of-gas-pipeline/
Now one local newspaper says the Americans are threatening Pakistani companies with sanctions if they go ahead with the project.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/251902/...don-iran-gas-pipeline-project/#comment-339489
So realistically, what is Pakistan supposed to do? We have a severe energy crisis. The Americans refuse to sign an atomic energy agreement with us and refuse to let us build a gas pipeline with Iran. WTF?
(2)
I also see a major change in Pakistan's foreign policy. Iran just offered us $100 million for helping our flood victims. That eclipses even China's $5 million in help. What do Americans think of Iran's growing influence in the region. Is America's AF-PAK policy failing?
I also don't think Pakistan is going to back out of this project no matter what. If they were going to back out, it would have been before the president visited Iran. This is a strategic multi-billion dollar project and the USA doesn't have anything to offer that could better this deal. While the USA has signed an energy deal with India, they have snubbed us. They managed to convince India to stay out of this deal but their double standards regarding the nuclear agreement has convinced Pakistan that the USA will not serve their interests in the long term.
Besides, I'm pretty convinced that the USA is an unreliable ally and may slap sanctions upon us at any time. No reason to trust them. It is a much better option to strengthen our relations with the growing powers in our region: China, India and Iran rather than rely on an unpredictable and dying superpower.
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