Kerry: Administration lacks 'real strategy' for handling Pakistan

[Karmadillo]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-04-21-kerry_N.htm

WASHINGTON — Just back from a visit to Pakistan, Sen. John Kerry says the Obama administration's plan for that volatile country, rolled out last month with great fanfare, "is not a real strategy."

"Pakistan is in a moment of peril," Kerry, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said during a session with USA TODAY reporters and editors. "And I believe there is not in place yet an adequate policy or plan to deal with it."

In an interview after the session, Kerry advised the Obama administration to stop using the term "Af-Pak," to describe a unified strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, because "I think it does a disservice to both countries and to the policy. The two governments, he said, are "very sensitive to it" and "don't see the linkage."

<edit>

Kerry's comments amounted to one of the sharpest appraisals by a Democrat of one of Obama's signature foreign policies. They marked a change from his initial reaction to Obama's announcement of his plan for the region in a speech March 27, when Kerry issued a statement calling it "realistic and bold."

"Obviously the president disagrees with the chairman on this, and the issues he raised are being aggressively worked in the president's new strategy," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said in an e-mail.

more...

[EFerrari]

1. Two smart people having a policy debate.

I could die happy NOW.

lol

[BeFree]

8. It is a change, eh? n/t

[EFerrari]

10. Media dummies want people to freak but I'm just happy

the moran is outta there and Kerry is chairman now. :)

[rucky]

9. No way. Kerry's a hater, and Obama's an -er- Obamabot?

:P

[karynnj]

13. Nice imitation

:)

The strange thing is that the video, where Kerry says Kerry has done a great job in Afghanistan, where Bush did nothing to prepare for elections that had been scheduled this month. This is the writer trying to create confrontation where it didn't exist. All Kerry was saying on Pakistan is that their plans aren't complete and they are coming for meetings with both his committee and teh state department.

[ShortnFiery]

2. There are NO good answers to this situation. Anyone UP for invading Pakistan?

Didn't think so. :(

Best case scenario = humanitarian support to the people and encourage human rights with the leaders.

[EFerrari]

4. Invading Pakistan would be a horrible idea even if someone

were up to it.

I'm sure the admin is burning up some phone lines right now. Thank gawd we have adults back in office.

[TayTay]

3. Except I don't think John Kerry said this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5514709&mesg_id=5514709

Ahm, the media is spinning conflict again over truth.

[karynnj]

14. I agree - I went back and listened to the entire interview again

It is 30 minutes long and very good - so it wasn't a hardship. :) Nothing Kerry said suggested this - to me he was saying that the Pakistanis do not have complete economic or military plans - and they will by the time they come to DC.

It would be nice had the media chosen to highlight the trip Kerry (and Teresa) just took to Sudan, where he got agreement to both get humanitarian aid back to the level it was before 13 aid organizations were thrown out and that the government, the rebels and Obama's envoy all agreed to peace talks. Either of these would be a significant achievement for a 3 day trip. They likely will safe at least some lives.

[Olney Blue]

5. I am surprised Kerry didn't talk to Obama about this directly first.

Or maybe he did.... it is just surprising to see this.

[karynnj]

12. Listen to the actual interview - it's on video at the link

The writer sensationalizes comments that were not attacking Obama's policy. Here, at least the actual video is there.

Kerry has the right to disagree, but I would be surprised if he did in the way described. It is clear the writer wanted a controversial title.

[MarjorieG]

6. Kerry went on Ed's show to say less disagreement than media portrayed from drive-by interview.

Not surprised.

[BeFree]

7. Hey John

If Pakistan didn't have nukes, they wouldn't be such a problem, eh?

So what do you say we buy their nukes?

That way we can kinda not have to worry so much?

[karynnj]

15. You think they will sell them?

The fact is that Kerry has always been for buying up stray nukes - as Nunn/Luger did. That focused on the former USSR's, but it is not a bad idea.

In Pakistan's case, I doubt they would.

(BCCI funded their bomb that AQ Khan developed.)

[karynnj]

11. The article distorts the actual interview - that can be heard at the link

Kerry was not attacking Obama. On Afghanistan he gives Obama very high praise for what he has done so far. On Pakistan, he was simply saying that the plan is still being worked out.

listen to the interview.