Angry Pakistanis: U.S. cozying up to new leaders

I.
Angry Pakistanis: U.S. cozying up to new leaders
CNN Pakistan
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/27/pakistan.complaints/index.html
March 27, 2008

II.
Upon hearing of the swearing in of Pakistan’s new prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, and his cabinet, U.S. officials sent two convoys into the country to meet the new leaders. This has started conflict on whether their trip was about possible hostility with the new leadership and the U.S. or just a periodic visit. The United States believe to have an alliance in Pakistan, which is close to some known al Qaeda bases, and has used this in order to bomb these northern areas. But, Pakistanis have despised these attacks as much as the al Qaeda forces being attacked because Pakistani citizens are being killed as well. This convoy trip has also struck suspicion into Pakistani citizens who believe the trip was for America to make sure under Pakistan’s new leadership that they would still have peace with the area like the had under former president Pervez Musharraf. The new leaders of Pakistan have already issued statements regarding how they will no longer be a “one man show” and policies will differ from Musharraf’s. Another problem stemming from this conflict is the Pakistan constant fight with extremists in their area and how the new leaders will affect the aid being given from the U.S.. The Bush administration maintains it’s aid will not differ, but if there is strain in the alliance amongst the new leadership and America, this kind gesture may not last. The United States of America government will continue to move along with peaceful negotiation but will not move the nuclear weapon containing country from their radar.

III.
a. This article relates to the AP world history theme impact of interaction among and within major societies because the United States and Pakistan are major world powers and their hasty interactions as described in this article involving a change of power could effect the entire world if their conflict gets out of hand in the future.
b. During the last administration of Pakistan, the U.S. government allied with the country which aided them in their war on terror. After the recent change of power, American officials needed to make sure that their alliance was still in order with a trip to Pakistan, which started the conflict between the nations. People of Pakistan don’t like the presence of Americans on their soil, especially since the attacks on al Qaeda that killed many citizens in the past.
c. CNN Pakistan reporters Patricia Escobedo and Saeed Ahmed, both American, one male , one female, with Ahmed being a Muslim, contributed to this article in the area of where the story took place near Islamabad, Pakistan, making them both insiders.
d. One may want to approach this article with caution because both authors are Americans who have been compiling information for their story and others stories they may write in Pakistan. Throughout the article there are quotes chosen that seem to be victimizing the Pakistanis and making the Americans seem cruel after the very recent changing of leadership in Pakistan.
e. I would like to hear from President Bush himself in this article because only he has the true answer about why he sent the convoys into Pakistan and it would be helpful to interpret the article if you knew that fact.
f. I believe that our relationship with a nuclear weapon containing country so close to our greatest enemies is very important to our safety mostly because we don’t have to worry about an attack and it would certainly help to have an ally so close to the fighting. Also I hope obviously that we can have a healthy relationship with Pakistan’s new leaders for the sake of our own country.