By Matthew K. Roy
Staff Writer
March 28, 2008 08:44 pm Congressman John Tierney has met with officials of Pakistan's new government and sat down with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai while leading a delegation of lawmakers on a tour of the Middle East. Tierney said that Karzai was "adamant" about what he wants for Afghanistan. "He needs roads and electricity," the Salem Democrat said during a conference call yesterday with reporters. While appreciative of the U.S. military's support, Karzai said his country requires help addressing its failing infrastructure, according to Tierney. And before the government can effectively crack down on the country's drug trade, Karzai said it has to strengthen its judicial system, establish a strong rule of law and bolster its police force. "He was really adamant that he could use help in those areas," Tierney said. In his role as chairman of a House subcommittee on national security and foreign affairs, Tierney is leading a group of six lawmakers on a tour of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The contingent has met with various governmental officials and observed the political environment and security situation in each country. The lawmakers have also met with U.S. troops and military leaders stationed in the region. The trip is the second Tierney has led through the two countries. He took a similar fact-finding mission a year ago. The visit to Pakistan this time around came in the wake of February elections in which the opponents of President Pervez Musharraf won a sweeping victory. Because of the Bush administration's support of Musharraf, members of the new government have reportedly given a frosty welcome to Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte. The same can't be said about Tierney's traveling party. "We got a great reception," the congressman said. It can be attributed to the U.S. lawmakers' expressed support of "transparency" in Pakistan's government, Tierney said, and their sympathy for Iftikar Mohammed Chaudhry, the deposed chief justice who Musharraf put under house arrest for four months. Tierney met with Chaudhry during the tour. Some connected with the new government have suggested talks with pro-Taliban forces can be blamed for escalating violence in Pakistan. The approach has drawn criticism from officials in Washington. The United States has provided about $10 billion in aid to Pakistan since 2001. Negroponte, meeting this week with the new leaders in Pakistan, said Thursday that while some hard-liners could be persuaded to participate in the democratic process, he did not see how it would be possible to hold discussions with some "irreconcilable" militants. Tierney was confident that the new government would take seriously the extremist forces in Pakistan. Leaders there appreciate the "existential threat" that terrorism poses, the congressman said, who spoke during a stop in Islamabad. "They understand that it's not in their best interest to do nothing about the terrorist situation," he said. Material from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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Photos
Afghan President Hamid Karzai, right, listens to Congressman John Tierney during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on Tuesday. Associated Press