The Pakistani Spectator

US and Israel miserably failed in gaining success in their Middle Eastern and South Asian policies. The murder of Hariri in Lebanon and strengthening of Muslim nationalism led US and Israel to involve third party in fulfilling their objectives. However, they could not find a better partner than India to play as a front man. In the same regard, US is also utilising the services of most trusted former Middle East peace envoy under President Bill Clinton, Dennis Ross, to deal with Middle East and South Asia, primarily focusing on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ross is already in contact with Indian Intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and Indian MI (Military Intelligence) as well as Israeli Mossad to evolve in regional issues related to the peace process to legitimize US secret objectives in the region. Dennis, who served State Department as special advisor for the Gulf and South Asia, has recently been assigned to serve as special assistant to US President Barack Hussain Obama on Middle East and South Asia mainly focusing on Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Ross has been ousted from his position as envoy to Iran on account of Iran’s unwillingness to accept him as envoy.

Some of the critics are of the view that it is because of ethnic hatred Iran possesses against the Jews. But it is not the case as Ross’s rejection is associated with Palestine policy. Frustrated with failure of US game plan in Iran, Washington, in a recent move, imposed Dennis Ross on Pakistan. The appointment of a Jew in Pakistan on any official position is directly in clash with Pakistan’s foreign policy, especially the Palestine policy. It would be surprising if Islamabad silently accepts Ross as it would amount to giving up unified stance of Muslim world on Palestine issue. As a matter of fact, Pakistan cannot come in close contact with Israel or any of its agents unless the Palestine issue is resolved and all Israeli illegal settlements from West Bank and other locations are removed. Ross’s Jewish background as well as his pro-Israel tilt is a source of irritation for the Muslim world.

It is on record that Ross has deep links with Israeli intelligence agency Mossad as well as maintains contacts with numerous senior officials in Israel’s defence establishment and the government. Dennis Ross is also Chairmanship of Israeli government funded think tank, the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute (JPPPI) in Jerusalem, established by the Jewish Agency in 2002. Ross’ recently released book, “Myths, Illusions, and Peace - Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East” is a matter of concern for the Muslims around the world. Ross, who co-wrote the book with David Makovsky, a former journalist who is a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, argued against a linkage between the Palestinian issue and the West’s policy against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Ross and Makovsky also raised the possibility of military action against Iran.

The writers believe that “Tougher policies - either militarily or meaningful containment - will be easier to sell internationally and domestically if we have diplomatically tried to resolve our differences with Iran in a serious and credible fashion,” Dennis Ross, who is Counselor and Ziegler distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and author of Statecraft is author of “How to Restore America’s Standing in the World.” After the political demise of General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf, people of Pakistan showed a negative reaction to the arrival of senior US envoys, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher. Their prime mission was to convince the new Pakistani Prime Minister by hook or crook to preserve President Musharraf’s policies of playing a secret role in US war on terror. They had in fact come to remind Islamabad Senator Barack Hussain Obama’s last summer statement: “If we get actionable intelligence about terror acts being prepared in these provinces of Pakistan and the Pakistanis won’t act, we will.” US pretends to be friend of Pakistan but the ground facts lead us to some other theory.

The greed and lust for power has led US to behave as if it is above all laws. Surprisingly, US views Russian incursion into Georgia as something very serious but when US own forces carried out incursion into Pakistan, it felt that US is justified to attack and intrude Pakistan. Can anyone point out what the difference is between Russian incursions into Georgia and American incursions into Pakistan? In both the cases large power moved into territory controlled by a democratic ally of the United States? An honest opinion, that it is not only Iranian Foreign Policy on Palestine which bars from accepting Dennis Ross but also Pakistan holds the same view and would definitely object to his appointment to deal with Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Even if the government refrains from lodging any protest against appointment of Ross due to international pressure, the Pakistani public in general would definitely not like the appointment to last for a very long time. US must understand that a democratic government symbolizes the people it represents, then why to impose a person with blemished track record for such an important and politically volatile region. Unless the question of Palestine and Israeli anti-Islam sentiments are not addressed, no one in Pakistan is going to accept envoy like Dennis Ross. This also goes with anyone even maintaining links with Israel.

By Afshain Afzal