What is in an Apology?

 Hina Rabbani Khar-the pretty face serving as the ostensible facade of real power in Pakistan, a hotel management graduate, also known as the foreign minister of Pakistan-is insisting upon an apology from the United States. In the hotel management graduate’s view, an apology is due from the sole superpower for the infamous Salala incident where 24 Pakistani soldiers were mistakenly attacked by a NATO contingent. The demand for an apology (now whittled down to a ‘soft apology’) comes at a time when the relationship between Pakistan and the United States is at an all time low. This demand is overlain by the Pakistani army’s top brass, General Shameem Wynne’s assertion that ‘strong arm tactics’ by the United States will not be accepted. The context is the re-opening of NATO supply routes which were closed down after the infamous incident. Wynne also asserted that the resolution of the  dispute over Kashmir is central to the negotiations.

The subcontinent, given these developments, is reverting to type and corresponding to a game of politics in which it is imprisoned. In the game, the actors are India and Pakistan and the audience the sole superpower.  The question is why is the Pakistani establishment through its proxies like Ms. Khar and functionaries of the real power in Pakistan, the Army, ‘playing hard’? It is not difficult to put into perspective this ‘hardball’ approach by Pakistan. The country is in dire straits-economically, politically and geo politically. It needs the United States more than the United States needs it especially given that the ‘global war on terror’ –Pakistan’s card to eke out political space for itself-is losing its salience and steam. However, it cannot articulate this publicly given the depth of anti Americanism in the country. So what it appears to be doing is elicit an apology from the United States sell it to the Pakistani public and then go whole hog with the re-opening of the NATO supply routes. What then is the United States to do given the stakes involved?

The country must put into perspective the real reasons for the Pakistani need for an apology. And then it could or should take into confidence the Pakistani elite, articulate to them American concerns about terrorism and the exit from Afghanistan and ensure Pakistani co –operation on these. It stretches reason to believe that Pakistan will not accede to most American concerns. To repeat, Pakistan needs America more than America needs it. After eliciting cooperation from Pakistan, away from the public glare, the United States could do well by apologizing. The apology will be taken as a success by Pakistani’s and will gratify their ego. The Pakistani elite will be able to sell it to the Pakistani public and dull the resistance. This will set the ball rolling and the pressing agenda-reopening of the supply routes- will stand resolved.

This, however, should not be the end of the game. Pakistan should be made to pay a price for the apology. The price should come in the form of a review of Pakistan’s long standing policies towards India, Kashmir, Afghanistan and the United States. This entails a review and revamp of the Pakistani state. While this may sound impossible given the path dependence of institutions and the entrenched ideological position/stance of the Pakistani elite, state and society, it is not improbable. And , in the final analysis, it is only a new Pakistan forged from the ashes that can ultimately lead to a salubrious Pakistan and the attendant benefits- peace within and without.

It is towards this end the United States must dedicate itself to. Pakistan, bluntly put, is a head ache and a tumor. This tumor has to be excised and can be only be removed by a whole sale revamp of the Pakistani state and society. As of now, there is no indication of the impetus of reform coming from within Pakistan. No contemporary Pakistani leader is both bold and intelligent to take the bull by the horns and redirect the energies of the Pakistani state and society towards salubrious ends. It is perhaps only the United States which can goad Pakistan and nudge it towards a salubrious direction. Delicate diplomacy and statecraft is then the need of the hour. And if an apology that gratifies Pakistan and enables it to wriggle out of the mess it has gotten into can spur action and help achieve larger goals and agenda’s, what is the harm in apologizing? It is about time then that the American policy making elite mulls over the implications, consequences and long term goals and say’s ‘ Sorry’. A lot is at stake than egos here.