Holbrooke fails to mollify Pak media after Obama's censure

Islamabad, May 4: Ahead of a key meeting in Washington to combat terrorism in Pakistan's restive northwestern region, US Special Envoy's effort to control damage caused by the American President's extraordinary censure of the government in Islamabad has not cut much ice.

Richard Holbrooke efforts to control damage caused by President Barack Obamas contention that the Pakistan government is "very fragile" have not cut much ice with the Pakistani media, which has dismissed them as "an afterthought".

Holbrooke, the US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, apparently contradicted Obama's remarks by saying he believed the Pakistan administration is capable of resolving issues facing the country.

Holbrooke also dispelled the impression that Washington is focusing on the military leadership in Islamabad. "I dont know where these stories are coming from," he told The News daily in an interview.

However, the influential Dawn newspaper noted that Holbrooke "appeared to be blaming the Pakistani media for remarks made by his President". It noted that Holbrookes interview was "hastily arranged by the Pakistan Embassy to undo the impression created by President Obamas remarks".

The Dawn quoted unnamed diplomatic observers in Washington as saying that Holbrooke seemed to be spending a lot of time with Pakistani envoy to US Husain Haqqani, whose "favourite sport is rubbishing the Pakistani media". PT