Adil Najam
ATP has speculated before that there may be a US-Pakistan ‘falling out of love’ going on right now. The ATP Photo Quiz from this Saturday (15 July, 2006) provides us a nice opportunity to remember the “good ol’ days” and how the two countries fell in love in the first place.
But coming back to the US-Pakistan relations, the relationship is a long-surviving one, but it has been (and remains) a rocky ride. By far the most public, unconditional and affectionate demonstration of this relationship–honeymoon, if you will–was when Pakistan Prime Minister Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan came on a state visit to the US in May 1950. These pictures above show just how much more elaborate that visit was than anything since; in fact, no one visits the US like this anymore.
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali was received at the airport by US President Harry Truman (pictured), spoke to the US House of Representatives (pictured), was given multiple military parades (pictured), got an honorary degree from Columbia University (pictured), a public parade from the city of New York (pictured), both Nawabzada sahib and begum sahiba visited and spoke at multiple universities, including Raana Liaquat Ali speaking at Wellesley College and the Prime Minister meeting the President of MIT, and much more. Indeed, when he arrived at the airport, the Pakistan Prime Minister was greeted by US President Harry Truman, his wife, their daughter Margaret, and most of the US cabinet.
That was the beginning of a long but stormy friendship that never really became what either side wanted it to be. Aah, how times have changed!
Pictures from the website of the Truman Presidential Museum and Library.
[As it turns out this last ATP Photo Quiz was much more difficult than previous ones though, as you will see, one reader (Naveed) did get both people right and a few others guessed at least one of the two people in the picture. Check out the original ATP Photo Quiz to find who those two were!]
Hamza:Atleast we didnt have *Israel* factor with USSR.The Pakistani govt of that time was clearly aware of jewish influence on USA which still exist.By accepting US’ friendship we have been bounnd not to go against Jewish influence as well.
We didnt have such issue with USSR.The only we could have was communism and we have been going well with Communism(china)since beginning so this *trinity* could be very much helpful for us.
Once falling into the trap Pakistan has always been taken forgrante
FU,what happens now?Ain’t we puppet in hands of Zions?I dont know why do you say that trip a successful trip.Is it because thousands of Pakistanis were table to getinto US for higher studies?
Keep this in mind that USA didnt help in any war agaisnt India,65,71,99-Kargil.None of them.
I guess this kind of grand reception was more common in that era. Also, the US was wanted to make a good impression on the newly formed country of Pakistan. This was the beginning of the cold war and they didn’t want too many countries getting too cozy with the Soviets…
Adnan: A number of people do wonder what direction Pakistan would have gone if the first trip had been to Moscow instead of Washington….i dont know if we would have been better off but its an interesting thought….
A very great reception, but ,infact,a Grand Trap(Successful too ) to keep Pakistan Away from the then USSR. Once falling into the trap Pakistan has always been taken forgranted,under the Yoke OR Doctorine of Necessity.
There’s a speech in the archives of the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco that I was able to listen to at one point on their website. I have taken to quoting one paragraph, in particular. See:
http://ifaqeer.blogspot.com/2005/06/islam-and-cons titutional-republics.html
our first PM’s visit to US was one fo the biggest blunder in Pakistani politics.If had accepted USSR’s visit then we could be in much better position.