“The United States right now is going through a difficult period in the Middle East, where there is a great deal of animosity toward the United States in the streets, ... It's important now for the United States to be doing things to lower the level of hostility in the region, to be in the position to engage elements of the Arab world in a more important dialogue that would engender some respect.”
“People saw this as a sign of his own weakness -- that he had to run to the Americans for protection. The United States is not the most popular country in Pakistan.”
“Both sides have tried all alternatives - ranging from ignoring the other side (India), to the use of force (Pakistan), to the threat of the use of force (India again). Now both sides have run out of options other than to sit across the table and talk.”
“We were tied up in Korea; we were worried about the Russians. And, conceivably, they said 'nuclear' because they didn't want him to do anything for India; that this was a way of raising the stakes so high as to make it not an option.”
“[What impact the earthquake may have on the politics of the disputed region remains unclear. So far, the opposing sides have been unwilling to coordinate relief efforts, although] both Indian and Pakistani politicians are concerned about putting on a good show and getting up there and demonstrating they're active, ... But it may also have affected some of the Pakistani-based terrorist groups that have operated in India-administered Kashmir.”
