Most Pakistanis View U.S. as Enemy, Want War Over, Survey Finds

[bemildred]

Source: Bloomberg

July 29 (Bloomberg) -- Two-thirds of Pakistanis oppose the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and roughly six in 10 think the U.S. is an enemy, according to a new survey.

The data, released today by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center in Washington, underscores the challenges facing the Obama administration, which has made Pakistan a key ally in its fight to rout Afghanistan-based Taliban and al-Qaeda militants.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited Pakistan this month to announce aid of $1.5 billion a year for five years that is meant to build Pakistani support for the U.S. war strategy. By the end of fiscal 2010, the U.S. will have given Pakistan about $6 billion in development and humanitarian aid since 2001, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service.

“You cannot succeed in Afghanistan without Pakistan’s involvement,” Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan told senators who question the level and effectiveness of that aid on July 13. “There’s a direct correlation between Afghanistan, Pakistan and our homeland security.”

Read more: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-29/most-pakistanis-view-u-s-as-enemy-want-war-over-survey-finds.html

[ronnie624]

1. That's not surprising.

Any foreign power that had invaded a country neighboring mine, and then proceeded to launch missiles into my country, would be regarded as an enemy by me.

[provis99]

11. they've hated us long before the Afghanistan war.

The Pakistani people have always hated the US and western culture.

[ixion]

2. If the roles were reversed

I'm sure we'd feel the same way.

It's not surprising that a nation doesn't like to have larger nation running rough shod across the country inflicting death at will.

[unhappycamper]

3. D'oh.

Spreading Democracy, one missile at time.

[saigon68]

4. Never Happen

There is too much money to be made

And too many Islamics to Kill

[closeupready]

5. As I posted yesterday, we've done a very good job encouraging that view, haven't we?

And as others here say, if another state invaded the US and dropped missiles, we'd feel likewise.

[Roland99]

6. $1.5 billion in pro-war propaganda in Pakistan.

American hegemony at work folks. Doesn't matter who's in the WH, The Beast must be fed.

[progressoid]

7. Gee wiz, imagine that.

[L0oniX]

8. Duh!

[cosmicone]

9. Most of that money will be used by the Pakistani army and ISI

to create wars and terrorist acts in India and Afghanistan.

We are paying money to Pakistan to kill our own soldiers. It is really like the twilight zone.

[No Elephants]

10. 1.5 billion a year for 5 years to your corrupt government doesn't trump your dead family. Who knew?

[The Magistrate]

12. There Is A Certain reciprocity Here, My Friend

Great portions of Pakistan's government and population have been conducting themselves as enemies of the United States....

[bemildred]

18. Politics is always so morally ambiguous, isn't it Sir? nt

[BolivarianHero]

13. Can you blame them?

If I were Pakistani, I would want American blood for having to live under American-sponsored tyrants like the Islamist military dictator Mohamed Zia ul-Haq and the more recent Pervez Musharaff. At least Muslim republics in the Soviet Union had a literate populace (some have a higher literacy rate than Canada!) and a female population with rights.

[varun]

14. Yet, they never tire of asking for money

more than $7 billion of US Taxpayer's money - used to fight American soldiers

:eyes:

[Kringle]

15. Obama the Peaceful, doesn't seem to get the message .nt

[EmeraldCityGrl]

16. Silly people. We have to save them from themselves.n/t

[JCMach1]

17. They are actually more sophisticated than that... who they really see is the CIA and US Military

as an enemy...

Pew doesn't usually do BS polls, but this one is well... let's just say neo-con in its scope.