Biden for abiding ties

DESPITE the popular belief that the Democrats were 'natural allies' of India in the election of Barack Obama as the 44th US president, the people of Pakistan see the possibility of an even-handed American behaviour in South Asia. Of course, there is no precise reason for such optimism - and some of the Obama moves do tend to undermine that feeling, but a hope has risen for better and productive relationship with America. It is no surprise then that during his recent visit here, Senator Joseph Biden was warmly received and decorated with the country's highest civil award. An unmistakably futuristic tone underscored his statement that the Obama government would help Pakistan strengthen democracy, fight terrorism and meet its socio-economic and capacity-building requirements. The US administration, he said, believes in a "long, real and broad" relationship with Pakistan and the US would like to start with "the present, rather than past". This is something different from the 'do-more' mantra relentlessly dinned into our ears. His contribution as the main sponsor of Biden-Lugar bill and his behind the scenes role, and at times frank and open criticism of ex-president Pervez Musharraf, for not reviving democratic process in Pakistan is on record. His remark at the presidency that he felt the spirit of Benazir Bhutto around the place bespeaks of the senator's life-long commitment to democracy. To an average reader of American constitution, Senator Joseph Biden's worldview, as we came across during his recent visit here, may appear to be exotic, perhaps unrealistic. Some may say as vice-president he would have a very limited role, much less important than as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee which had placed him in a pivotal position with regard to US foreign policy. Generally speaking, yes. But that is not applicable in case of every vice-president.
For instance, Dick Cheney's role in firming up foreign policy for the Bush administration was far more substantial than any of the two secretaries of state in George W. Bush's administration. The fact is that both Barack Obama and his nominee for the office of secretary of state, Senator Hilary Clinton, lack the expertise that Senator Biden has. This guru of international diplomacy and foreign relations is bound to acquire the linchpin position in making and executing foreign policy for the Obama administration. The Biden-Lugar bill is essentially development-oriented. By pledging to triple the non-military assistance, the bill reflects the Vice-President-elect's vision that ongoing insurgency in Pakistan's tribal region is primarily rooted in the backwardness and poverty of the people. Until that is taken care of, the Pakistan government must be fully prepared and equipped to fight terrorism - that is what the senior American politician has tried to convey to his Pakistani interlocutors. Indeed his commitment to upgrade the guerrilla-fighting capacity of Pakistani forces is part of that vision. He seems to be rightly cognizant of the fact that President Obama's promise to win in Afghanistan would be fulfilled only when Pakistan is treated as a friend and ally, a departure from the Bush times which Pakistan believes is coming.

Helping high seas stay safe

IT is a relief that all 23 crewmembers of the Saudi-owned Sirius Star, the largest ship ever hijacked by pirates, are safe, in good health and are returning home following a nearly two-month standoff in the Gulf of Aden. Anytime a ship is released, especially one as big as the Sirius, which was carrying two million barrels of crude oil worth about $100 million, it is positive news. However, the piracy problem does not end with the release of the Sirius Star. More than a dozen ships with about 300 crewmembers are still being held by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Internationally, steps have been taken other than throwing money at the pirates, most notably an increasing assemblage of naval forces that has thwarted several seajacking attempts. The result is that while the number of attacks may have gone up in recent months, the number of successful hijackings has gone down, attributed mainly to the increased naval presence in the at-risk areas. However, global navies rushing to protect important ships and shipping lanes do not provide a permanent solution. The Law of the Sea Convention places limitations on daring action; warships cannot just open fire. And arming crews is a move opposed by ship owners and maritime organizations alike. You cannot suddenly convert a commercial ship into a kind of warship. Almost all agree that piracy is a problem that starts on the shore. The international community needs to address the situation in Somalia proper, a huge task given the country’s dire circumstances. Somalia is an impoverished and war-ravaged country that has been without an effective central government since President Siad Barre was overthrown in 1991. It is a clan-based society where tribal chieftains and warlords hold sway, just like in Afghanistan. Fighting between warlords and the failure of international intervention has left Somalia in a permanent state of civil war.
The country is effectively divided. Neither President Abdallah Youssef nor his Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein dares set foot in Mogadishu, and sit twiddling their thumbs in Nairobi. Helping Somalia get back on its feet is crucial to combating piracy off its shores. This would require surgical and legally sanctioned military intervention against piracy combined with a firm diplomatic initiative that brings together regional and concerned international players to turn Somalia from a failed state to a state that has a strong — or at least acting — central government. All this must be accomplished without opening the door to opportunistic international intervention in the Arab-African state. It would have been disastrous had the pirates aboard the Sirius Star fired guns aboard the ship, turned the ship into a weapon, or if foreign navies had attempted to release it by force. With so much oil aboard — a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s daily output — a conflagration could have been the tragic outcome. A human and environmental disaster has been averted but action must be taken on the ground in Somalia for the high seas to stay safe.

—Arab News