Unresolved controversy

Although, the question whether or not Pakistan ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani's resignation does anything to prove the authenticity of the controversial memo still begs an answer, this spin-doctor of repute has finally met his waterloo.
The acceptance of his resignation as demanded by the Prime Minister provides the first drop scene of the saga widely termed 'Memogate'. Both his appointment and more than three-year term in office were fraught with controversy. 'Fidelity' is a quality of being faithful or loyal. The 'Memogate' had unfortunately brought his faithfulness under doubt. Ever since Haqqani moved to the US - around 10 years ago - he has been a vocal critic of military involvement in ruling this country.
He even wrote a book Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military to strengthen his argument about the alliance between country's army and clergy and its consequences affecting the country and the region. He got the required space to advance his argument in the American media precisely for this line of thinking. He is said to be mean, cruel, vindictive, avaricious but surprisingly well-read and shrewd in his dealings. These personality traits perhaps enabled Haqqani to come closer to the PPP which claimed it could garner public support for the war against terror which had eluded the Musharraf regime. He got the assignment to the US because he had built up a vast network within the academia (think tanks) and the media, as well as, within the legislative and executive branches of US administration. He exhibited this strength with panache. It's that flair, wit and easy eccentricity that immensely contributed towards raising his profile in the American society in a very short span of time.
The relationship between Pakistan and the US, despite claims of sovereignty and equality, is in reality a relationship of unequals. Pakistan Ambassador to the US needs to have the ear of the Chief Executive in Islamabad and obtain access to multiple centres of power in Washington D.C., ie the Pentagon, the State Department, the US Treasury, the White House and the Congress, as well as the Bretton Woods institutions - the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund - to bridge the gap between demand and resources. Haqqani more than any of his predecessors successfully navigated these challenges.
Under a military dispensation with an Army Chief as country's Chief Executive - Pakistan Ambassador's job in Washington D.C. is relatively easy. But in a civilian set-up, there is always a troika - President, Prime Minister and the Army Chief. Therefore, the job of conducting country's most difficult relationship becomes a profoundly difficult one to perform. Unfortunately, however, Haqqani enjoyed the confidence only of President Asif Zardari and not of the other two power brokers. He survived the controversy in the wake of Kerry-Lugar Bill in October 2009 as President Zardari was still armed with the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and was calling the shots. Since the passage of the 18th Amendment in mid-April 2010, the Prime Minister is the Chief Executive in accordance with stipulations of Constitution with his advise binding on the President.
The choice of former information minister Sherry Rahman, who is a liberal and has faced death threats for backing changes to blasphemy laws, as successor to Haqqani, clearly indicates that this time Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has himself chosen the Ambassador to Washington. For months, PM Gilani did not accept Rahman's protest resignation from the Federal Cabinet. He, however, could not successfully persuade his party Chief Asif Zardari to forgive her for the hasty resignation and allow her a comeback into the Cabinet. He recently appointed her as the Chairman of Red Crescent Society of Pakistan as she continues to enjoy PM's full confidence. Although, many an analyst suggests that the army has no visible say in her appointment, she will be more palatable to military leadership than her predecessor.
Rahman - the journalist-cum-politician - has always exhibited strong interest in foreign affairs. She in fact yearned for foreign minister's job following PPP's election victory in 2008. Her presence in Washington D.C. may soften the harsh image of this conservative country. She knows the sound bites that go down well with the Western audience and like former ambassador to the US, Maleeha Lodhi, will remain firm on the national stance of Pakistan on world issues. It is good to hear that Haqqani met Rahman yesterday to discuss her new job and wished her all the best.
One will never know for certain whether Haqqani was the initiator or was trapped into 'Memogate'. The controversy will rage on as large parts of the affair still remain unexplained. Both the opposition and the media are clamouring for further investigation. Will it serve any real purpose? We don't know! Outsiders must be perplexed why the claims of a US national of Pakistani origin Mansoor Ijaz carry more weight than the country's own envoy. This brings to mind the diplomatic controversy that led to the recall of ambassador from Uzbekistan by British government some years ago. Although, London met President Islam Karimov's demand mainly because of its growing geopolitical interests in Central Asia following US-led invasion of Afghanistan, its Foreign Office never doubted credibility or integrity of its envoy.
Haqqani served Benazir Bhutto's government as Secretary Information, then Nawaz Sharif's as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and later as public relations consultant to General Musharraf/Shaukat Aziz combination in the initial months of last dictator's rule. He then proceeded to the US for scholarly pursuit - and once again joined Zardari-led government as Ambassador to Washington. He thus created the image of a 'professional-for-hire'. It may be argued that Haqqani resigned mainly because of the clamour that was built around the controversial memo. But his action shows that he has taken responsibility publicly for this unresolved controversy even if it leads to loss of reputation. Indeed, his was a generous and honourable act made necessary by adverse circumstances.