[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 26 (Thursday, February 16, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S843-S844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        AMBASSADOR SHERRY REHMAN

  Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I want to welcome Pakistan's new Ambassador 
to the United States, Sherry Rehman. Ambassador Rehman has rightly been 
described as representing ``the traditional values of Jinnah's 
Pakistan.'' As a journalist, politician, and diplomat, she has fought 
tirelessly in defense of tolerance and moderation and has been a 
leading voice for women's equality and protection of minority rights.
  The United States-Pakistan relationship has been tested this past 
year, and while the problems we face are daunting, the basic fact is 
that stability in Pakistan remains vital to our national security. 
Ambassador Rehman has arrived in Washington at a time of deep mistrust 
on both sides. A series of tactical disputes have strained our 
strategic partnership. Progress on bedrock national interests has 
stalled, and Pakistan's internal politics seems exceptionally turbulent 
at this time.
  Pakistan faces major challenges today, including an economic and 
fiscal crisis, a growing insurgency within its borders and cities, and 
chronic energy shortages. There is increasing anxiety in Pakistan about 
how the war ends in Afghanistan and what implications this will have 
for regional stability. Many on both sides are questioning the value 
and meaning of our strategic partnership.
  The truth is we have a lot of work to do to rebuild a productive 
relationship. Despite our many frustrations and setbacks, we still have 
more to gain by finding common ground. Whether it is finding a 
political solution in Afghanistan, reducing militancy, supporting 
democracy and civil society, or promoting economic and development 
reforms, the basic fact is that our interests do converge. The 
challenge for all

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of us now is to find ways to act together in common purpose, when and 
where possible.
  For instance, on Afghanistan, we need to make our goals and strategy 
absolutely clear. Pakistan has a constructive role to play in forging a 
durable political settlement that will bring an end to this war. And 
while we have often been frustrated by the divergence of policies on 
Afghanistan, it remains important that we work together to further a 
reconciliation process that is Afghan led and supported by the region's 
key players. This is a time for us to be careful, to be thoughtful, and 
to proceed deliberately but determinately--as I believe we are--to 
strengthen our relationship and confront our common challenges.
  Moreover, I want to emphasize that this relationship is not only 
about the threats we face. It is not only about defeating militant 
extremists who threaten the security of both our countries. It is also 
about building a deeper, broader, and long term strategic engagement 
with the people of Pakistan. As I have said before, Pakistan's 
prosperity and its security--as well as our own--depend on it. And I am 
determined to make sure that the kinds of projects supported by Kerry-
Lugar-Berman funds remain on track and demonstrate our long term 
commitment to the stability of Pakistan and to the region itself.
  Make no mistake: our ability to influence events in Pakistan is 
limited, and we should be realistic about what we can achieve. But we 
cannot allow events that might divide us in a small way to distract 
from the shared interests that unite us in a big way. Mohammad Ali 
Jinnah said it best in his address to Pakistan's Constituent Assembly 
in 1947. His words are as relevant in today's context as they were 
then:

       If you will work in cooperation, forgetting the past, 
     burying the hatchet, you are bound to succeed.

  The road ahead will be difficult no doubt. But I look forward to 
working with Ambassador Rehman as a partner in these efforts in the 
months and years to come.

                          ____________________