Even as the United States grapples with its own soaring unemployment and sagging economy, Rep. Jim Marshall, D-Ga., is confident Americans will reach out to the flood-ravaged nation of Pakistan.
Marshall spent most of last week touring the flooded areas of Pakistan and visiting American troops in Afghanistan.
“Charity starts at home. These are people in need, and Americans, traditionally, step up to help when there is a devastating disaster,” Marshall said Tuesday by phone from the nation of Georgia. “People came forward to help with Haiti relief earlier this year, and I’ve no doubt they will for the people of Pakistan.”
Marshall said about 20 million people have been rendered homeless by last month’s flooding, which blighted an area as large as the East Coast of the U.S., “and three million families are without homes. That’s something really hard for people to grasp.”
America already has diverted $200 million and committed American troops to the flood relief. International Red Cross officials estimate more than 1,600 people have perished in the floods. Marshall said more help should be on the way.
Marshall said a reason to help Pakistan, beyond basic humanity, is the nation’s record as an ally with America in the Afghanistan war, helping to patrol the border with Afghanistan and attacking Taliban forces in hiding.
“They have responded to our requests throughout. They have endured the extremists attacks in their own cities because of that assistance, also. Pakistan has been instrumental in keeping the Taliban at bay,” Marshall said.
The flooding could set back efforts to combat Taliban forces that use the nation as a safe haven from fighting in Afghanistan.
Pakistani army units, along with American military personnel, are responding to relief efforts, Marshall said, but the flood means shifting focus from combating insurgents and Taliban forces along the border with Afghanistan.
“It’s a strain on their resources. The (Pakistani) army is the most effective force here in terms of relief, but it does impact what they are doing to combat the Taliban,” Marshall said. “It’s not good for the overall effort in Afghanistan.”
There’s a larger global reason to help Pakistan, Marshall said, because it has nuclear weapons.
“The nation does have nuclear bombs. That’s a fact, and they have exported that technology in the past,” Marshall said. “The last thing we need in this region is a destabilized Pakistan.”
Marshall also visited with U.S. Special Forces troops in Afghanistan, and noted attitudes were positive and progress was being made. That is a difference from previous trips he has made to the region, Marshall said.
“I spoke with members of the Special Force, or Green Beret, A-Teams. These are people who live with the people there and train them to defend and take care of themselves,” Marshall said. “On a previous visit, I stood at (a base camp) and had soldiers point out Taliban who were a few hundred yards away, armed and within shooting distance. Today, that’s not the case.
“We are making progress.”
Key to the effort is having Americans live with and train Afghanistan forces and making long term commitments to the nation, which has been torn by war for more than 30 years, Marshall said.
To contact writer Shelby G. Spires, call 744-4494.
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