Update of Senator Kerry's visit to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

[wisteria]

This is a top news story, but it seems the non-issue of Hukabee not running is getting way too much attention. Maybe it is just me, but I think Sen. Kerry's visit is a little more important.




"We are at a moment where we have to resolve some very serious issues. This is not a moment for anything except very sober, serious discussion with an understanding that there is a lot at stake, there is no other way to put it. I think they understand that, we understand that," Kerry said in the Afghan capital....




http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110515/ap_on_re_as/as_pakistan_bin_laden;_ylt=AvVnAZOcdV9E7148VY4jyEKs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNwNWdvcHUwBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwNTE1L2FzX3Bha2lzdGFuX2Jpbl9sYWRlbgRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzYEcG9zAzMEcHQDaG9tZV9jb2tlBHNlYwN5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNrZXJyeXVzLXBha2k-

[karynnj]

1. The story is too unformed at this point to really be the top news story - especially with today's

media. This is not the 1960s, where we saw the Vietnam War play out on the evening news.

Afghanistan/Pakistan should be the top story. Look at the GDP article that Pakistan could cut the NATO supply route for the war in Afghanistan and remember that if we did not have hundreds of CIA/contractors operating in Pakistan, we would not have "taken out" OBL. Those spies and the supply route are major contributions that Pakistan allowed. I suspect this is why it is in our interest to try to mend the relationship with Pakistan, which has always been unstable.

Here is a Politico article that speaks of Kerry's trip there now - the title, that Kerry says Hillary Clinton will go there, is the most significant news item. Kerry is clearly there trying to find acceptable face saving - for Pakistan - ways to mend the relationship. I assume that Clinton would not go unless there was a tentative agreement.

Kerry, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, arrived in Pakistan late Sunday after spending the weekend in Afghanistan in an effort to mend rapidly fraying relations and to make Pakistan a “real” ally of the United States.

After Kerry questioned Pakistani leaders about how bin Laden hid undetected in their country for years, the two sides agreed to a “series of steps,” which will “be implemented immediately in order to get this relationship back on track,” the Massachusetts said at a Monday morning press conference after meeting with Pakistani officials.

“I expressed as clearly as possible grave concerns in the United States over Osama bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan and existence here of sanctuaries for adversaries in Afghanistan,” Kerry said.

On Sunday, Kerry laid out his hopes for the trip, saying that “the moment we want to be hopeful and optimistic that we can work our way through this, get over this hiccup, and find a positive path forward,” The Associated Press reported.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0511/55028.html#ixzz1MWlEvnIq

This has to be a time where the administration clearly misses Holbrooke. The success or failure Kerry's (and Clinton's) trips will likely have a major impact on our future - and even more so the future of Pakistan, Afghanistan and even India. The best we can do is wish Kerry well on this trip and hope that he is soon safely back in the US.

[wisteria]

10. True and thanks for the link. n/t

[beachmom]

2. Big story in The Daily Beast/Newsweek about Kerry: The Pakistan Whisperer

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-16/john-kerry-obamas-go-to-guy-in-pakistan/

I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but thought everyone would be pleased with this fairly prominent article.

Also, on my Twitter feed, I read that Sen. Kerry has convinced Pakistan to return the remains of the crashed helicopter to the U.S. I can't find the tweet now, though.

Edit. Check out this quote:

As former State Department spokesman P. J. Crowley puts it: "Kerry is probably unique in being able to go to Pakistan as a demonstrated friend and say, 'Look, lots of people are calling for us to cut off assistance. I will not be able to defend you unless you respond in a meaningful way to this event.'"

If you will recall, PJ Crowley was the State Dept. official who had to resign after criticizing the treatment of Bradley Manning. Now he is saying favorable things about Kerry. Plus I saw a Kerry staffer retweet some tweet PJ Crowley had written. In short, there seems to be some mutual sympathy between the Senator's office and the former State Dept. official. Also, notice that the poor treatment of Manning has ceased (he is now in Leavenworth, gets to wear clothes, and is no longer in isolation -- and that is not coming from the Admin. but rather parties more sympathetic to Manning, so I believe it to be the truth). Dare I wonder if the Senator wasn't privately also arguing for that situation to change? One will never know, I suppose.

[Luftmensch067]

3. Thanks so much for that link!

A really great, positive, snark-free article, aside from the (on cue!) SoS meme and a couple of vague jabs from unnamed "administration officials." Very nice to see this.

[karynnj]

5. Fascinating article

Trying to figure out where all the people are coming from here is both fascinating and hurts my head. It seems that the article is mainly sourced from State department people. But, there is enough editorializing around the Clinton people's comments that what comes through is that Kerry is "perfectly happy to work with them when the interests of our country are on the line—when there's a policy we're mutually in agreement on." and that he more successful in that troubled country than anyone else.

The negative comments are pretty obvious - if he were NOT calling the State department so often, they would be screaming that he was going over Hillary's head (with or without) Obama's approval.

On Pakistan, it seems clear that the ambassador really blew it on the Davis case. It is appalling that it took 10 days before ANY US representative expressed any remourse over the killings. (Me - I am still wondering if the CIA team that Davis was involved with had anything to do with tracking OBL or if the calls in Pakistan against US CIA acting freely were tempered at all by Kerry's visit - possibly having some importance in getting OBL) That Holbrooke, with his known ego, pulled Kerry - possibly because he himself was ineffectual due to their dislike of him - shows reflects well on both Holbrooke and Kerry.

[beachmom]

6. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if it wasn't for Kerry's tireless

diplomatic work to get Davis released, how in the heck could the OBL raid have gone forward? Think of the rising tension if he remained incarcerated, and also if the Pakistanis could have used Davis as a chess piece to express their anger after the U.S. had invaded their sovereign territory. Absolute disaster -- knowing what we know now, we now see that it was VITAL that Davis be released. I don't know if Davis was part of the OBL operation, but it just really would have complicated things if he had remained there, possibly been put on trial, etc. Now Kerry, like us, had no idea about that ongoing operation, but still, his role was important, thinking about it now.

[karynnj]

8. Fascinating article

Trying to figure out where all the people are coming from here is both fascinating and hurts my head. It seems that the article is mainly sourced from State department people. But, there is enough editorializing around the Clinton people's comments that what comes through is that Kerry is "perfectly happy to work with them when the interests of our country are on the line—when there's a policy we're mutually in agreement on." and that he more successful in that troubled country than anyone else.

The negative comments are pretty obvious - if he were NOT calling the State department so often, they would be screaming that he was going over Hillary's head (with or without) Obama's approval.

On Pakistan, it seems clear that the ambassador really blew it on the Davis case. It is appalling that it took 10 days before ANY US representative expressed any remourse over the killings. (Me - I am still wondering if the CIA team that Davis was involved with had anything to do with tracking OBL or if the calls in Pakistan against US CIA acting freely were tempered at all by Kerry's visit - possibly having some importance in getting OBL) That Holbrooke, with his known ego, pulled Kerry - possibly because he himself was ineffectual due to their dislike of him- reflects well on both Holbrooke and Kerry.

[wisteria]

11. Thanks. n/t

[beachmom]

4. Here it is! From the WSJ. Not a bad bit of diplo work from the Senator:

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110516-708933.html

Pakistan has agreed to return the tail section of a U.S. helicopter used in the raid that killed Osama bin Laden earlier this month.

Sen. John Kerry, who met Monday with senior Pakistani civilian and military officials in Islamabad, said the gesture was among a number of steps both countries had agreed to take to rebuild shattered relations.

[wisteria]

12. This is a very positive development. There were fears that Pakistan was going to

share this technology with China.

[ProSense]

7. Photo and article

from Al Jazeera: Kerry visits Pakistan in bid to repair ties

[ObamaKerryDem]

14. That is such a great pic!! :)

The latest print edition of Newsweek also has a feature on JK and his role in the Afghanistan/Pakistan situation, on page 48 I think it is. There is a bit of snark--including some rather backhanded compliments/comments from certain "unnamed" officials--and of course the SOS speculation, but overall a good, interesting read. Great to see JK finally getting at least some of the recognition he deserves for his excellence in this area!

[MBS]

9. today's WaPo

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rw/WashingtonPost/Content/Epaper/2011-05-16/Ax8.pdf
WaPo web site now shows pages just as they are in hard copy, but with color pics. This was on pg 8 of front secton

The United States has reached a “critical moment” in its relationship with Pakistan following the killing of Osama bin Laden, Sen. John F. Kerry said Sunday in Kabul, before flying to Pakistan , , ,
Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has emerged in the past few years as an important U.S. envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan . . . . .
“We are at a moment where we have to resolve some very serious issues,” Kerry said. “This is not a moment for anything except very sober, serious discussion with an understanding that there’s a lot at stake. There’s no other way to put it.”

[karynnj]

13. Hillary Clinton called when Gilani and Zadari were meeting with Kerry per Pakistani media

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=news&cd=4&ved=0CEAQqQIwAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytimes.com.pk%2Fdefault.asp%3Fpage%3D2011%255C05%255C17%255Cstory_17-5-2011_pg7_11&rct=j&q=john%20kerry&tbs=nws%3A1&ei=2JfSTbm0EsTk0gH4gsyIDA&usg=AFQjCNGeuv8LCmFUwVLrxzt4u_a1lGhuxQ&cad=rja

Interesting article. Clinton comes off as not quite getting the problems in the relationship - and ends by saying Kerry will be able to inform her.

http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/05/16/does_john_kerry_represent_the_us_government_in_pakistan

A Foreign Policy article that questions if Kerry represents the US government - even as it points out that he has been on the phone with Clinton. While pointing out that Kerry was well positioned to convey "Congressional angst", they also point out he is not part of the executive branch.

Though they point out that Kerry was an envoy of the President in his talks with Karzi and in helping get through the Davis problems, that the statement he worked out with Zadari and Gilani is not an official joint statement - even though it is posted on the website of the US embassy in Pakistan. (It does seem that the State Department is protecting its turf - even though in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Kerry has been the diplomat that has now handled what are arguably the three toughest points successfully.

[ObamaKerryDem]

15. Thanks so much for this!

Glad to see that he's had a productive--and safe!--journey there, though I had no doubt that he'd do well! :) He'll have a lot to say about this on Saturday, I am sure. Good to see him getting at least some recognition in the press for his tireless efforts in this arena!

[ProSense]

16. This is cool: Kerry meeting with the troops

Meeting With Massachusetts Troops in Afghanistan

Includes link to a video and photos.

[karynnj]

17. Jake Tapper makes it all Kerry vs Clinton

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2011/05/clinton-vs-kerry-on-pakistan.html

[Mass]

18. I wonder who these "administration officials" are? WH or State Department.

Jack Tapper likes playing differences, so it may be nothing, but it is also true I was surprised Clinton was not more involved in these issues.

CNN does not seem to see this the same way Tapper does
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/17/john.kerry.star/
Kerry's star rises with global conflicts
Neither did Reuters, who apparently went to the same press conference as Tapper:
http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/05/17/idINIndia-57085420110517
Kerry is close to the Obama administration and has gone to Pakistan before to try and tamp down crises in relations with Washington. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday she had been in constant contact with Kerry during his trip.

And, of course, Time always come back to the SoS gig:

http://swampland.time.com/2011/05/17/kerrys-emerging-afpak-role-precursor-to-secretary-of-state/

[beachmom]

20. Oh, that wasn't a good article. Hillary does sound a little snippy in some

of her statements. Kind of weird. Kerry is operating under his role in the Congress. I don't see what the problem is if the messages aren't completely in sync.

Hmmm.

[karynnj]

21. A little?

I really don't get her point as Kerry has always made it clear that he coordinates with her - when he could speak of coordinating with the Obama administration or even Obama without overstepping. He seems very sensitive to her defensiveness.

All I can think of is that these 4 things might be part of it:
1) Remember how she completely overreacted to the question about Bill Clinton's position from the young African guy? That REALLY was mishandled.

2) Remember the comments of her rolling her eyes and blasting Kerry to Levin, Reid and others for introducing Kerry/Feingold?

3) Remember the Clinton team spreading the story that Kerry was not picked for SOS because he was "weak"?

4) Remember the bizarre puff piece that came out where Hillary was touted as the point person for Afghanistan and even credited with his decision for the runoff - saying she bonded via her own campaign's experiences - using almost the same words used a few weeks before in descriptions of Kerry's trip?

I suspect that HRC is still not really over not getting the nomination. Her Secretary of State position did give her a second chance to be a really significant player - and she is. But, unlike Kerry, who also lost the possibility of being President, she really does not seem comfortable with herself and her life - resulting in her snippy comments here and in Africa - maybe both in relationship to not feeling she is getting enough respect.

It is possible that Kerry never was someone she particularly respected or liked even before he endorsed Obama. One little story in a book by Sid Blumemthal of his years with the Clintons spoke of what might have been their first major interaction. Kerry, along with Bradley and Moynahan and possibly a few other Senators came to Clintons very early in his Presidency and advised that they simply put out everything there was to put out on Whitewater and cut the distraction in the bud. From Blumenthal's description, Hillary went ballistic after they left ranting that people were against them.

It may be Clinton's neediness that is the problem. She really has not had many diplomatic triumphs as SOS. Obama is the one who has set the tone - something few Presidents would not do. The problem might be not just that someone else has capably handled many of the biggest problems. If it were Holbrooke or Mitchell, I think she would be fine and see it as a credit to the "team". with most negotiations, it seems that career foreign policy people do most of the ground work. I suspect it is because it is Kerry, who is not one of the nameless, to most people, officials. It likely bothers her that in all the cases where Kerry intervened he was better positioned than she was - even though she is the Secretary of State.

I had an interesting conversation with my brother in law whose company worked with US AID. He really thinks her real legacy will be the changes made to how the state department runs. Now, we know that Kerry and Lugar proposed many of those changes before she was in office more than one month, but, it will clearly have been Clinton who implemented them. I suspect, that if she were not Mrs Bill Clinton, that would be something that she would be incredibly proud of and it would be enough. I suspect that she resents Kerry getting the credit he does. Might be she resents the fact that some might think that he would have been a better Secretary of State.

As to the last paragraph, it is a rewrite of history. Kerry made the connection with Assad and lobbied for an Ambassadorship for Syria and he spoke of the HOPE or the POSSIBILITY that Syria could be moved to break away from Iran. He never called him a reformer, he called on him to reform. The one who called Assad a reformer was .... Hillary - and the world's media picked it up. (Here's one example - http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143161 ) This really was a high level gaffe and her attributing to Congressmen of both parties is just wrong. I suspect that this was one of the sources for the ramp up of the Kerrys were BFF with the Assads story that you alluded to. (The Clinton links are easy to find - I tried a comparble Kerry Assad reformer and none in the first few pages have Kerry calling him a reformer.)

[karynnj]

19. Wow - even Fox News (at least on line) - John Kerry: Activist Chairman Finds Power, Peril Abroad

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05/19/john-kerry-activist-chairman-finds-power-peril-abroad/#content

Surprisingly positive, with the exception of FELON Eliott Abrams comments on Syria.