THE MIDDLE EAST: A Pact for Pakistan

When the U.S. first proposed, last November, to strengthen Middle East defenses against Russia by providing arms aid for Pakistan, Pakistan’s Bad Neighbor Nehru fanned up a white hot rage in India against American policy. But the U.S. persisted in negotiations with Karachi, and last week—in comparative quiet—signed a one-year military-aid agreement with Pakistan.

The pact obligates the U.S. to provide arms and training assistance, obligates Karachi in turn to use the assistance for defense only, not for aggression. Explained Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Zafrullah Khan, in answer to Russian, Egyptian and Indian objections: the agreement does “not involve a military alliance between the two governments nor . . . any obligation on the part of Pakistan to provide military bases for . . . the United States.” New Delhi charged that Pakistan had already promised the U.S. secret air bases (and, indeed, in event of war they could be easily arranged). But India was no longer so suspicious of Karachi’s immediate aggressive intentions, because Pakistan was suddenly fully occupied at home with serious rioting and threats of secession (see below).