Obama Admin. Serious About "Af-Pak" Issues

Analysis: Obama, Clinton Mount Full Court Press On Leaders Of Unstable Mideast Nations

(CBS)  Background and analysis by CBS News State Department reporter Charles Wolfson.

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Leave it to the basketball fan-in-chief to mount a full court diplomatic press against a mounting set of problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

This week President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave full attention and then some to getting a handle on what are now known as "Af-Pak" issues. They, along with their Special Envoy, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, headed up a slew of administration officials who played host to Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Afghanistan’s President, Hamid Karzai.

In some ways, it was as much a move to press the two visiting leaders to act as it was an effort to coordinate policy and action against militants from Al-Qaeda and the Taliban who constitute a threat against the U.S. and the leaders of the two South Asian nations.

Clinton recently convened a three-way meeting at the State Department, but this week’s program was much more intense and at the highest levels. Not only did Mr. Obama meet separately with each leader in the Oval Office, he also met with them together. The message: let there be no misunderstandings leaving Washington. Each of the participants has work to do, each knows what is expected of the other and much of the task at hand needs to be coordinated.

Washington and others in the international community will handle the coordinating and keep on top of the daily effort to make certain Pakistan takes the militants’ threats as seriously as the Obama administration does. Holbrooke will monitor that but he’ll have help from General David Petraeus on security issues and from other senior officials like Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, CIA Director Leon Panetta and FBI Director Robert Muller on issues related to other aspects of bolstering the two governments.

One area which will get more attention from this administration than it did in the previous one is an emphasis on agricultural reform. Washington may finally be getting serious about finding a way to get Afghan farmers out of the very profitable business of growing opium poppy, which ends up being the source of 90 percent of the world’s heroin. Hundreds and hundreds of millions have already been spent - some say wasted - trying to achieve this goal, to little or no avail.

Now, Clinton’s remarks on Afghanistan are peppered with references to the country’s successful past as a productive, agriculturally oriented economy which once grew fruit trees, nuts and other commodities. American agricultural experts will be sent to Afghan provinces to give farmers alternative crop choices. It's not that similar ideas haven’t been tried before. Perhaps this time there will be enough staying power and resources behind what is clearly a long term solution to overcome the Taliban and local drug lords’ influence over Afghan farmers.

While they were in Washington Karzai and Zardari not only got an earful from Mr. Obama but they also heard from the people who hold the purse strings. Each had meetings with the most powerful members of Congress, many of whom are skeptical when it comes to statements about what the two leaders are willing to do when they get back home. More aid may be voted for the administration’s efforts now but it is clear there is not an endless supply of cash if expectations are not met.

It should be noted the messages didn’t flow in one direction only. Karzai was not at all shy about opposing attacks from U.S. drones on targets in his country which have resulted in many civilian casualties. As a politician running for reelection, the Afghan leader made his complaints known in public and behind closed doors and both Obama and Clinton acknowledged their regret over the loss of innocent lives.

Washington has put a high priority on these two countries because it has no other choice. The Taliban and al Qaeda operate with far too much impunity from safe havens in the border provinces of Pakistan and even Islamabad now sees that a deal it struck with the Taliban was worthless. But there is more to this problem than the normal activities of militants. Because Pakistan has nuclear weapons it is an imperative that Washington goes the extra mile - and more - to make sure Zardari’s government can protect its nuclear stockpile from falling into the wrong hands.

However you label the meetings this week - high level diplomatic consultations, strategy negotiations or old-fashioned head knocking - the administration has made a high profile roll of the dice to get Zardari and Karzai on board with a plan to do whatever it takes to get rid of those who threaten stability not only in their own backyards but beyond.

[Cain78]

its a sad story to tell, but the solution against this bad economy is war since many will die and many will take over those people jobs. also, war will clean up the afg's lands from rebels and so a new political regiment will take over which will take time to put into effect their new political views for that certain place. if you want the depression to end and peace to be around the world, then, war is the bloody solution :( /cry

[sjc_1]

"Af-Pak" have been important since day one. This IS the big issue and they are under no illusions about getting it right. Timing is important and when the time is right we will make our move.

[mnbrant]

I got it. Pay them to plant vegetables. Failing that pay them to plant nothing. Works for Americans.

[mnbrant]

Ummm maybe the US should buy the whole crop. I hate to be a spoil-sport, but then we have to burn it.

[horse3farm]

Yes he met with the leaders and told them to be patient. He is on their side, but they must do as he says right now, so the American people don't catch on.

[nojoy01]

"...picked an EXCELLENT Secretary of State!..."
Posted by skyk-2009 at 4:36 AM : May 9, 2009

Whatever it is that you're smoking is powerful stuff. Be a sport & share with the rest of us.

[skyk-2009]

What they REALLY talked about is Obama's vision of Muslim World Domination. Being a Muslim himself Obama has a vested interest in seeing Islam flourish. If he can pull it off he will be a hero of his faith. Look to see Muslims make huge strides during Obama's term in office.

Israel should be very concerned at this juncture.
Posted by azulene at 9:04 PM : May 8, 2009

Stay away from the Right Wing Kool Aid! You small mind can't handle it at all!!

[skyk-2009]

Obama is serious. The Taliban is getting close to nuclear weapons and Obama admits it is serious. Man...he is a winner isn't he.
Posted by jonesjep at 4:34 PM : May 8, 2009

You are so right! We FINALLY went to the polls and voted FOR someone and he has picked an EXCELLENT Secretary of State! They are NOT appeasing Al Qeada and allowing them to just sit back and pick and choose where to strike. Yep we have a winner here in THIS President and compared to what we had BEFORE him, the difference is like day and night.

[skyk-2009]

It's time someone faced the reality of where the Enemy is and how that must be dealt with. Appeasing them, as Bush did and allowing then to sit in their Safe Haven and plot is a perscription for MORE attacks on this nation.

[nojoy01]

The way to get the Afghan farmers to stop growing poppies for heroin is to take the profit out of it. Until you take the profit out of growing poppies guess what, your're never gonna get them to grow fruits & veggies. There are only Two ways to take the profit outta the drug trade. A) Legalize, regulate, & sell the crud at a government store or B) Everybody that is caught dealing or using goes to jail, for life, w/no parole, period. Frankly, it'll be a lot cheaper to legalize the stuff go ahead and kill themselves with it. After all, it's not like there isn't a precedent with cigarettes & alcohol.

[jonesjep]

Oooooohhhhhh!!!

Obama is serious. The Taliban is getting close to nuclear weapons and Obama admits it is serious. Man...he is a winner isn't he.