President Too Soft On Some and Too Hard On Many
While applauding the effort, President Obama's words missed the mark. With the best of intentions and in pursuit of an important goal, I think that he was too hard on many and too soft on some in the Muslim world.
Is there really a clash of civilizations, as President Obama's words indicate? If there is not, then there would be no need to reach out to the entire Muslim world as he did in his inaugural address. If there is no civilizational clash, then he should have addressed no specific religious group, but all people who are opposed to America and that for which it stands.
And if there is a genuine clash between two civilizations, what is the source of the clash? Is it intrinsic to Islam? And if it is not, and it is not, then why approach it that way? Could it be that the president was playing to those who see America's policies as a war against Muslims? And if he was, is that approach likely to bear fruit? I think not.
We ought not to favor any conceptual model which pits two distinct civilizations against each other. Not because it isn't nice, but because it artificially simplifies the challenges we face, and incorrectly presumes a monolithic Muslim world which is against "us". But who is "us"? Does it mean Americans? If so, where do six million American Muslims fit into this equation? And that's just for starters.
There is no single Muslim world, and any intimation that there is, will either work against addressing the serious threats we face from some Muslims, or cause us to miss the genuine opportunities that will be found by working more constructively with many more.
Where President Obama got it right was in using the word "mutual" to define the new way forward which he seeks. Right or wrong in terms of specific policies, unilateralism is doomed as a guiding principle in a globalized world. Without backing down from those principles we hold most dearly, principles including openness, inclusivity, and religious tolerance, we must not simply rest in the rightness of that which we believe.
We must reach out and meet people, even those with whom we may disagree, where they are. We must not wait for them to be where we want them to be. On the other hand, we must not shy away from taking on nations who threaten the world's ability to sustain those values we hold most dearly either.
We have to be willing to confront the real challenges posed by the hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world who according to recent research, report genuine hostility to America and our approach to personal freedom. Ultimately, it is our willingness to be extremely tough on those who pose a genuine threat to us and to our way of life that creates the foundation upon which to build better relationships with those who differ from us but are not hostile to us.
Frankly, I would have preferred no overt outreach to any specific community. I would have preferred the President reach out to all communities, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity, who are ready to work with our country on the basis of shared values and commitments. We will not always agree, but anyone who comes to the table with honesty and a willingness to work in light of those values, even if we disagree about certain specific policies, should be welcomed.
By
Brad Hirschfield
|
January 30, 2009; 8:21 AM ET
| Category:
Religious Conflict
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Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:36 AM
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after Her speech near the photo of Netanyahu as "we shall repair".
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:27 AM
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Sarah Nathan is Tzippi Livni.
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:26 AM
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"Seyid Usul" is "the practise couriered by grandsons of Ahmet prophet". it is a center in Bursa for Union of Authors in Turkey. sinagogue is nearby this center.
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:24 AM
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in summary, "people in Islam have forgotten the sources, dictionaries, practises which are originally from Israel. let them remember, recollect. "
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:16 AM
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the message to Simon Peres after His Kind Approve to Davos Meeting Offer by Recep TAyyip Erdogan. this message was before the mail to SArah NAthan, Foreign Minister.
"Israil Cumhurbaskani, Buyuk Sirlara VAkif, Sinagog'da Evraki Gormus, sayin simon Peres
Seyid Usul Merkezinin yaninda Sinagog varken Size sesleniyorum, dediginiz uzere, surekli saldiri tehdidi altinda olmak, hem de buyuk ve hakli iken, ve etrafinizda sizinle yetismis olanlar, sizinle iletisimi ve kaynaklari ve baglantilari kaybetmis, unutmus ve kacirmisken
"Nevfel'den Olan Evraklar KAtibi" Varaka bin Nevfel'in yuzu suyu hurmetine, bildikleri ve aktardiklari ilmi ve nuru hurmetine, lutfen dilinizi bilmek ve hatirlamak icin imkan taniyiniz"
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:15 AM
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this message is after the news on Haaretz Newspaper in Israel about the sinagogue in Bursa fired.
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 4:00 AM
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the sinagogue in Bursa, the city i live, is "active", has been "fired".
Posted by: congratulations | February 3, 2009 3:58 AM
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mailto: sarah.nathan@yahoo.co.il
dear Mrs NAthan,
the Kind Address from Rabbi through Your Serious Words has been the Enlightment for Awakening Will to talk to Whom re-pares. and this Address has been Soul Feeding and Rejuvenating Our FAmily Relations.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 2:08 PM
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i thank to DAvid Ignatius and beloved panelists on PostGlobal and OnFaith.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 10:10 AM
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i thank to Queen Elizabeth for Her Grants, to King and Their Son.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 10:09 AM
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http://sites.google.com/site/vsrvst/textfile/vsrvst.txt
i thank for this loaf of bread and i offer to You a piece of.
and i thank Willaims Bush for the education at Crimson Circle Geoffrey Hoppe for Tobias and Kryon Lee CArrol for Chalk MArk and Lightworker Steve Rother for Light House. i thank to Russia, to Israel, to France, to VAtican, to JApan, to Canada, to Portugal, to Finland.
this has been more than seven years.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 10:08 AM
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Caring for My Husband and His Wife
i loved this article, too.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 9:41 AM
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greetings to Brad Hirschfield, from "Beth Lekhem - House of Bread". or is President so hard on sons of MAry?
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 9:34 AM
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president_too_soft_on_some_and_so_hard_on_many
so soft on sons of SAmuel and so hard on sons of MAn?
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 9:31 AM
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http://www.milliyet.com.tr/Dunya/SonDakika.aspx?aType=SonDakika&Kategori=dunya&ArticleID=1054560
ABD’nin en saygin gazetesi Washington Post, dunyadaki 50’den fazla Musluman ulke arasinda Turkiye’nin Bati acisindan ozel bir konumu bulundugunu belirterek, AKP doneminde Turkiye’nin bu ozelligini kaybetmekte oldugunu ve “Muhtemelen yeni Baskan Obama’nin gozde Musluman ulkesi” olmayacagini yazdi. Washington Enstitusu Yakin Dogu Arastirmalari Kidemli Uzmani Soner cagatay’in imzasiyla yayinlanan yazida, Turkiye’nin bir NATO muttefiki, Avrupa Birligi uyeligine aday bir ulke, liberal bir demokrasi ve İsrail ile iliskileri olan Musluman bir ulke oldugu hatirlatilarak, AKP doneminde ulkenin bu ozelliklerini kaybetmekte oldugu ileri surulerek soyle devam edildi: “Liberal politikalar bir bir kayboluyor. AB uyelik gorusmeleri durmus durumda. İran gibi Bati karsiti devletlerle baglar guclenirken, İsrail ile iliskiler zayifliyor. Basbakan Erdogan son olarak da İsrail Devlet Baskanini insanlari oldurmekle suclayip toplanti terk etti. Turkiye boyle giderse Baska Obama’nin gozde Musluman ulkesi olamayacak.” AB yolunda Fransa gibi ulkelerin engellemesinin dogru olmasi ragmen, sorunun bir o kadar da AKP’nin liberal degerlerden uzaklasmasi oldugu savunulan yazida, AKP’nin alti yillik bir iktidar doneminden sonra Turkiye’yi artik daha az ozgur, daha az esit bir ulke yaptigi ve medyadaki engelleme girisimleri ile kadin-erkek esitliginde yasananlarin bunun gostergesi oldugu one suruldu. AKP’nin 2007 yilindaki cikardigi internet yasasina dayanarak YouTube adli siteyi kapatan tek Avrupa ulkesi oldugu belirtilen yazida, BM Kalkinma Programi’nin yaptigi bir arastirmaya gore kadin-erkek esitliginde Turkiye’nin 2002’de 63. sirada iken bugun 90. siraya dustugu vurgulandi. Yazida, Turkiye’nin, kadinlarin siyasi, ekonomik ve toplumsal olarak Suudi Arabistan’in bile gerisine dustugu belirtildi. Turkiye toplumunun geleneginde anti-semitizmin fazla bir kok salmadigi hatirlatila yaziya gore, bugun yasanmakta olan anti-semitik gelismeler siyasi iktidar tarafindan cesaretlendiriliyor. AKP doneminde giderek Bati’dan uzaklasan Turkiye, kendini İslamci rejim veya davalarin yaninda konumlandirdigi iddia edilen Washington Post’taki yazi soyle devam ediyor: “Turkiye bu tavirlariyla sadece Avrupa’dan degil, ABD’den de uzaklasiyor. Eger Erdogan’in AKP’si liberalizm karsitligina hizmet etmeye devam eder dis politikasinda dini esas almakta israr ederse artik ozel olmayacak. Dahasi Turkiye’ye yazik olacak.”
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 9:30 AM
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are the verses funny? or should divorces be handled by nuns?
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:40 AM
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"cstlcklmlr", also "gunlukhaberler", "opitipiti", "lvntlkn" and "ph.universal".
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:37 AM
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this is "cstlcklmlr" in indigodergisi.editboard.com
http://indigodergisi.editboard.com/gundem-f1/osho-www-world-of-wonders-show-t565.htm
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:34 AM
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Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:08 AM
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Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:07 AM
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Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 8:05 AM
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She had rung, Inger Christensen really had rung.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 7:55 AM
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i know about Brasil and Portugal, second Vatican and Phalestine. in case You worry about two of them in Anadolu, may i assure You that pie and tea shall be available for five oclock.
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 7:52 AM
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ee + liberalism = liebe realism
ee + Christ = Cheerist
ee + Advanced Forces US = Advanced For Jesus : )
liebe re-ally-ism!
Posted by: congratulations | February 2, 2009 6:47 AM
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India poses no threat to Pakistan so there is no need to make India a bogeyman. After WW II all civilized nations gave up war as a means to achieve its goals. The Balkan butchery and other butcheries in Africa notwithstanding.
Pakistan and India could have lived at peace as neighbors like the EU and US/Canada. But no, Pakistan had to be engaged in constant under the radar war. It can't think otherwise. Or can it?
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 31, 2009 12:12 PM
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Pakistan has had a ruthless aggressive policy towards India in all of its 62 years of existence. It is a thousand times worse than any other country. No other country has engaged in constant war for 62 years. But Pakistan has and continues to do.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 31, 2009 12:07 PM
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DMZ1:
I was not a fan of Communist Soviet Union in its worst days either. But Pakistan is a million times worse than former Soviet Union. Pakistan produces terrorists for export. It seems to be Pakistan's main source of income. That is not meant to inspire and create fans for a country.
Or do you think I should be a fan of such a country?
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 31, 2009 11:56 AM
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politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1:
OK, you're not a fan of Pakistan, fine, but what was the reference to Fokker aircraft? Fokker hasn't built a military aircraft in its own name for many years. It did build F-104s and, later, F-16s for Nato allies in Europe (Netherlands, Norway, etc), but these did not carry the Fokker name. The only aircraft carrying the name Fokker have been passenger jets (Fokker 50, 70 and 100), and there has been no production of these since the early 90s. Fokker went bankrupt in 1996 and no longer produces new aircraft.
Posted by: DMZ1 | January 31, 2009 11:04 AM
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i remember, during me international Smuggling Days, when visiting Poshto/Hindu Karachi & Peshawer, Boluchistan-Pakistanian, and how i was acosted by Beggers Everywhere screaming saying, BOKSHEESH" (Charity)etc.. And of which , as a begger Nation , i never dreamed they would end-up possesing & later boldly (sneakly) claiming to the World to be the "VANGUARDS OF ISLAM" via a SUNNi-Atom-BOMB!
This was during the 1970's when Ali Bhutto was alive before Zial Al Haq killed him & then Mushariff killed Al Haq, and also early 1980's.]
Note: Please World, Do not Let the IRANian/Persians get hold of the SHARiA-Islamic-Bomb; even though Israel, Christians & Musloms too should be greatfull to CYRUS The GREAT for Immancipating Jacob from BABYLON captivity +/-200 BCE.
Note: These Stone Age AYATOLLAHs marry 9-Year old Girls, like it's O.K. because their (not OUR) Mr. Muhammad did. This includes Talibanny, Alkadas, Hamazianz & hezbellys.
hence: The World Citizenary should Protest against Religio PEDphileia & Womans Sufferage, instead of blaming self defending SECULAR-Isralites against Pre-Apocalyptic Religio Finatics!
-- Talking bout CHiLD ABUSE: WORLD, Please
Tell HAMAStan & Hezbelly's et al that they need to stop marrying 9 Years Old Kids. And stop Abusing Women! OR
please HAMA-iran & Hezbelly-iran, move to IRAN, an Ex Zoroastrian Nation! Note: The True Religion for Iran is & Was Zoroastrian, until they HOLOCAUSTED Millions & or Converted via Islamization or Cleansing! As INDiA, Whom Protected Judeo Jews & Judeo Zoaroastrians via Iran & Saudi & Co, Holocausts & unspeakablke Atrocity's against ISLAMic finatics!
Please See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism
Posted by: InterfaithNation | January 30, 2009 4:45 PM
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How is it that we allow Pakistan to harbor the Taliban, al-Qeada and Bush family friend Bin Laden and still send this so called "ally" billions?
Why aren't more people asking this same question?
Posted by: coloradodog | January 30, 2009 1:41 PM
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This is the Pakistan that is constantly begging for money from the US and other countries while constantly fighting under the radar war with India.
As long as the US offers unconditional support to Pakistan and arms it to its teeth, Pakistan will remain a serious threat to India.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 30, 2009 4:19 AM
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Gleaned from Indian media 30 Jan 2009:
Karachi, Jan 30
The Pakistan Navy is to acquire drones and spy planes, as also submarines as force multipliers to augment its capabilities, a top military commander has said.
Speaking Thursday at a ceremony here to induct a Fokker aircraft and commission the T-56 Engine Test Bench at the Pakistan Navy Aviation Base PNS Mehran, Admiral Noman Bashir described the induction of Z-9 helicopters, airborne early warning systems (AEWs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as force multipliers for the navy's fleet of aircraft.
The T-56 engine powers the navy's P-3C Orion maritime reconnaissance aircraft.
To enhance the navy's "subsurface defence capabilities", Bashir said a contract would soon be signed for the German-designed HDW Type-214 submarines.
Commander of Naval Aviation, Commodore Adnan Nazir, said the Fokker, being a versatile aircraft, would serve to augment the operational capabilities of the fleet.
The setting up of the T-56 Engine Test Bench was a step towards self-reliance as it would be used for overhauling and maintaining the P-3C aircraft, Dawn Friday quoted Nazir as saying.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 30, 2009 4:16 AM
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BRAD HIRSCHFIELD
You wrote, "And if there is a genuine clash between two civilizations, what is the source of the clash? Is it intrinsic to Islam? And if it is not, and it is not, then why approach it that way?"
Have you ever heard of sharia law?
Do you think that some Muslims think that sharia law should be imposed world-wide?
Do you think that all of the Muslims that think that sharia law should be imposed world-wide are extremists?
Just because you think and/or wish for something to be does not necessarily make it so.
Reality has a way of being real, look around.
Take care, be ready.
Sincerely, Thomas Paul Moses Baum.
Posted by: ThomasBaum | January 29, 2009 11:38 AM
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Correction: Nobody has dared to question PAKISTAN on its claim of Kashmir based on religion alone.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 29, 2009 1:23 AM
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Pakistan makes no secret of its claim that it must have Kashmir, otherwise they will continue to create trouble for India. Nobody has dared to question Kashmir on its claim of Kashmir based on religion alone.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 29, 2009 1:22 AM
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The unconditional support of US for Pakistan has had nothing to do with shared values. Pakistan has been a military dictatorship for most of its 62 years of existence as a nation. It has part of Kashmir on the grounds Muslims live there, although the ruler of Kashmir wanted to be a part of India. Pakistan continues to claim that Kashmir is their land because Muslims live there. Hindus have been killed or driven out in large numbers out of Kashmir. Pakistan claims to want to "liberate" Kashmir from India, another word for annexe it. The motive is clear, Kashmir is a tourist attraction and it holds potential to bring in big money. Religion is just an excuse. All separatists in Kashmir are backed by Pakistan. Pakistan has gone to war three times with India in an attempt to annexe Kashmir. It has been engaged in a constant under the radar war with India according to the official policy of one of their military dictators that India should be bled to death with a thousand small cuts. The most recent of those "small cuts" was the terrorist attack in Mumbai on 26 November.
They have mastered the skill of talking the victim while being the aggressor. The US supports them unconditionally for US interests. With the help of aid and donations received from US and other countries Pakistan has managed to become an international terror threat with many terrorist factories that export out of state actors. India suffers most from the Pakistan threat. But Pakistan fears no consequences because it has the US and other NATO allies firmly under its blackmailing thumb. "Do as we say and give us more money or will create trouble for you in Afghanistan," is the openly veiled threat. Recruitment to fight the Soviets was done on the cheap by opening madrassas and training a brand of virulent Jihadis. Now Jihadists have their own agendas. A whole generation of fanatic Islamists who have been brainwashed by a virulent ideology of hate for non-Muslims, especially India, have been let loose. Hating India has never been a problem because the very birth of their nation had to be portrayed with India as the villain, not with the truth of an ambitious Indian Muslim who wanted to be ruler and thus demanded a separate country based on religion. The greatest displacement of people took place - 20 million - and about one million were killed in the absolute mayhem that followed such a massive transfer of peoples.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 29, 2009 1:14 AM
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From The Times of India, 29 January 2009
Past records show US aid cut unlikely to hit Pakistan - Subodh Varma
...
The US is also Pakistan's biggest trade partner, with over $3.6 billion worth of Pakistani exports — a quarter of total exports — headed to US shores. US exports to Pakistan stood at around $2 billion, armaments being the biggest item. Pakistan also receives funds from the US in the form of foreign military financing for buying US armaments. Between 2002 and 2008, Pakistan has received $1.6 billion for this purpose.
Apart from the US, Pakistan has also been receiving aid from China and some Islamic countries, notably Saudi Arabia. After being elected, PM Aziz visited China and signed 27 agreements geared towards defense, space technology and trade. With a teetering economy and an incendiary security situation, Pakistan needs all the aid available to survive — but its closest allies too need Pakistan for their respective geopolitical needs. So, aid to Pakistan will continue, despite hiccups.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 28, 2009 9:55 PM
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From The Times of India, 29 January 2009
Past records show US aid cut unlikely to hit Pakistan - Subodh Varma
Last November, the IMF announced a loan of $7.6 billion to Pakistan, which was on the brink of defaulting on debt repayments. Nothing surprising
in that, since IMF doled out emergency funding to a host of countries affected by the unfolding economic crisis. But Pakistan’s case had a bizarre touch.
In an unheard of move, Gen David Petraeus, leader of US military’s Central Command, met the IMF mandarins to impress upon them the need to bail out Pakistan. While this indicates Pakistan’s importance to US strategic interests, it also shows the extent to which it is propped up by foreign aid and loans.
Since 1952, Pakistan has received over $73 billion as foreign aid of different types, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan. The bulk of this enormous amount — nearly 60% — has been given for specific projects, including security, infrastructure, education and health.
Has this aid made Pakistan economy healthier? Not quite, if you look at its basic physical and social indicators. Adult literacy rate is just about 50%, with only 36% of women being literate. About 1.7% of GDP is spent on education, one of the lowest in the world, and just 0.4% of GDP on health. Nearly 74% of the population lives on less than $2 per day.
The recent IMF loan is not something Pakistan’s newly elected government was looking forward to. Although it was in desperate trouble — its foreign reserves had crashed by almost 75% to just $3.5 billion and its debt stood at $46 billion — Pakistan wanted a soft loan, without harsh conditions.
But the Paris Club refused to comply. They felt that the economic, military and social crisis engulfing Pakistan posed a very great risk. So, Pakistan was forced to go to IMF and accept such as hiking power tariffs and tax rates.
The biggest donor for Pakistan has traditionally been the US. Between 1947 and 2007, US has given direct, overt aid worth $16.5 billion to Pakistan. There were long periods when the flow of US funds became a trickle, as during the 1990s, after the US Congress prohibited transfer of funds following concerns about nuclear proliferation in the light of revelations about A Q Khan’s activities.
Since 2001, when the US launched its ‘Global War on Terror’, the biggest and most unregulated flow of funds began to Pakistan — a total of $11.3 billion have been given to Pakistan between 2002 and 2008. Of this, about $8.1 billion was for various security-related activities, primarily spent by Pakistan’s all-powerful military establishment.
Posted by: politicallyincorrectworldcitizen1 | January 28, 2009 9:51 PM
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Rabbi is Simon Peres. He is an Elder, He knows the Documents "varaka". in His visit to Istanbul, the PApers had been presented to Simon Peres.
Varaka bin Nevfel "papers from nevfel" is Son of Uncle of Wife of Ahmet prophet. Varaka bin Nevfel was teacher of Ahmet prophet, He was with Bible and Torah.
"for the sake of Varaka bin Nevfel, let them recollect and remember".