U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2009)

U.S. Department of State

Office of the Spokesman

For Immediate Release
October 30, 2009

Remarks

Secretary of State
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Participates in "Townterview" with Prominent Women Journalists

October 30, 2009
Islamabad, Pakistan

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QUESTION: Madame Secretary, I liked you when you were (inaudible). It was really impressive for people of Pakistan. But how can you bridge the gap which is already created, especially when you are giving us aid, and which you are showing that you are giving us a lot? It's just a (inaudible), like defense authorization act 2010. You are giving military aid with so many tough conditions. Can you elaborate, because our (inaudible) are being killed on western borders. So can you (inaudible)?

QUESTION: (Inaudible.) I wanted to ask you (inaudible) think about Pakistan (inaudible) the balance of power in the region. How exactly do (Inaudible) Pakistan (inaudible), which is directly (inaudible) talking about (inaudible)?

SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I don't think Pakistan is disrupting the balance of power. I think Pakistan is trying very hard to solidify its democratic institutions while fighting a war. That, by definition, is an overwhelming challenge. My only point is, if you look at the map, Pakistan is one of the most strategically located countries in the world -- India, China, Iran, Central Asia -- and yet you rank 141st in human development. And why is that? Because you have been focused on other issues. And I'm not saying that it was wrong to be, but I'm just asking whether there is a way to begin to say, look, we have a different future we can make for ourselves. But again, that is up to you.

And to go to the question about conditions, I've explained many times that we have conditions in every aid that we give. And I think there was some misunderstanding, which we are going to try to clear up and be more sensitive to how we present the point of view of the United States Congress. But it is, I think, understandable that when the American Congress said we want to help you in your fight, and we think this immediate fight is the first fight to win, to wage and win, so we do have some accountability that we're going to put on our own government to make sure that this aid is being translated into helping you win the priority fight. And I hope that your government and the Indian Government will resume a dialogue. I am a big believer in dialogues. I'm a big believer in negotiations. I think talking absolutely is better than warring. And so I hope that there can be some positive development there.

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