Pakistani Ambassador Husain Haqqani Discusses Security Concerns

Feb. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- Ambassador Husain Haqqani spoke at the Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) Ambassadors Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and InsurgenciesFebruary 6, 2009. Ambassado Haqqani began his remarks by acknowledging that when terrorism is discussed, Pakistan is often cited as both part of the problem and part of the solution. To understand why such is the case, Haqqani made clear the importance of historical context. He reviewed how past events left Pakistan feeling threatened and weak. Haqqani posited that from this sense of weakness developed a perceived need to leverage Islamic elements as a means for enhancing national security. However, Ambassador Haqqani also highlighted that the return to civilian rule and the outcome of recent elections demonstrate that Pakistani society is undergoing a conceptual shift. According to Haqqani, Pakistan’s elected government and an increasing number of Pakistanis now view terrorism, rather than India, as the greatest threat to national security. A point he illustrated by noting that the Pakistani army has done more in the last seven months to fight terrorism than it did in the preceding seven years.

HSPI Director Frank Cilluffo opened up the roundtable discussion by posing questions regarding potential ties between Lashkar-e-Taiba [LeT] and al Qaeda [the group believed responsible for last November’s terrorist attacks in Mumbai], the release of AQ Khan, and Islamabad’s efforts to increase Pakistani perceptions that terrorism does indeed pose a grave threat to Pakistan. In reference to LeT, the ambassador stated that several groups viewed as local by Pakistan have developed connections with global jihad movements. Regarding general perceptions of terrorism, Haqqani argued that if one focuses on the terrorists’ actions rather than their ideology any ambiguity concerning how governments ought to react goes away. In response to Cilluffo’s question regarding Khan, Ambassador Haqqani stated “I see no reason for anyone to worry about proliferation from Pakistan. That is not something someone should worry about. Pakistan’s nuclear materials are not toys just lying around.”

During much of the discussion, Haqqani stressed the need for comprehensive engagement and the use of America’s soft power. He argued that such was needed not just at the leadership level, but the societal level as well. Haqqani stated that as a child he spent time reading in the American library and that prior uses of American soft power had created a generation of people “in love with America.”

The Ambassadors Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past two years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.  For more information, including a full audio recording of the event, please visit the HSPI website: http://www.homelandsecurity.gwu.edu

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The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) is a nonpartisan “think and do” tank whose mission is to build bridges between theory and practice to advance homeland security through an interdisciplinary approach.