(Adds Biden comment)
By Michael Georgy
ISLAMABAD, Jan 12 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday attempted to dispel what he called common anti-American misperceptions in Pakistan and its media, while urging the government to fight growing religious extremism.
The United States usually treads cautiously in its bid to persuade Pakistan to go after militants, putting aside its frustrations as it tries to turn an unstable country into a more reliable partner.
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Here are some questions and answers on the uneasy U.S.-Pakistani relations.
WHY IS THE UNITED STATES FRUSTRATED WITH PAKISTAN?
Under immense pressure from Washington, former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made the highly unpopular decision to join the U.S. war on al Qaeda following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. It has evolved into a hub for some of the world's most lethal militant groups. Militants easily cross the long, porous border to attack U.S.-led NATO troops in Afghanistan or plot against Pakistan's government. Ambitious militants inspired by Osama bin Laden's calls for global holy war train there.
Biden, on his first trip here as vice president, will likely leave with a familiar feeling. Military, economic and intelligence support poured into Pakistan over many years has yet to deliver results for Washington.
Mistrust and conflicting interests usually strain their rocky marriage of convenience after each round of talks.
That cooperation is needed more than ever. The Obama administration hopes to reverse the tide of the war in Afghanistan before a troop withdrawal starts in 2011.
The true test, this time, will be whether Pakistan's military will cave in to U.S. pressure to launch a full-scale offensive in North Waziristan to go after the Haqqani militant network -- one of the United States's most feared foes in Afghanistan.
Pakistan sees the Haqqani group as a counterweight to rival India's growing influence in Afghanistan. Pakistani officials won't say that in talks with Biden, but it's always understood. Washington is always trying to gauge Pakistan's long-term commitment to eliminating militancy. Islamabad is seeking assurances that the United States will provide more support.
CAN PAKISTAN EVER BE A RELIABLE PARTNER?
Unlikely, because Pakistan is gripped by one crisis after another. The latest one erupted after a critical party defected from Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's ruling coalition. Political troubles seemed more serious than ever. Then a liberal governor, Salman Taseer, was shot dead by a police bodyguard incensed by his campaign to change Pakistan's anti-blasphemy law. That stark reminder that religious extremism is spreading in the nuclear-armed country is likely to raise further doubts on whether Pakistan can be stable enough to be a reliable partner.
Indeed, Biden focused on the theme of intolerance in Pakistan, suggesting it could pose a far graver threat to U.S. efforts to strengthen its partner Pakistan.
The government's handling of the latest political storm cast doubt on its resolve. It quickly caved in to opposition demands and put off IMF reforms -- defusing the crisis but disappointing the United States and other Western donors. Fiscal discipline is just as vital for stability as military gains. The stronger the economy, the more faith there is in the state, and the less chance militants can gain recruits. Chronic uncertainty means Pakistan will remain consumed by domestic political strife, curtailing its ability to work with its allies.
DOES PAKISTANI PUBLIC OPINION HAMPER THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. For all its flaws, Pakistan's democracy must respond to public opinion. Anti-American sentiment runs high. The United States is seen as an unreliable ally after walking away from the region after Pakistan helped anti-Soviet Afghan guerrillas drive Soviet forces from Afghanistan in the 1980s. The United States is unlikely to ease up on intensified U.S. drone aircraft missile strikes designed to kill high-profile militants in northwest Pakistan. The attacks, and U.S. pressure for tougher measures against militants, often create the impression that Pakistan is fighting America's war, not its own.
Until the Pakistani public is convinced that U.S. interests align with Pakistan's, Washington will struggle. (For more Reuters coverage of Pakistan, see: http://www.reuters.com/places/pakistan) (If you have a query or comment about this story, send an e-mail to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com)
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