4 Mark Questions

Pakistan & USA

Key: 💥 Important 👀 Possible Question

Q1. What was the Afghan Miracle? 

In 1979, when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the attitude of the USA changed overnight. Zia was seen as the leader of a Muslim nation on the frontline against Communist forces. As a result, Pakistan received huge sums of money to pay for the care of the refugees and the armed forces. For example, in 1986, an aid program providing $4.2 billion worth of military and economic aid was signed. Pakistan, therefore, became the third-largest recipient of American aid. As a result, Zia was able to use some of the funds to make economic progress and reform the economy. 

Q2. Describe Pakistan's involvement in the U2 incident. 

In 1960, a USA spy plane (2 planes) was shot down as it was passing over USSR. The pilot, Gary Powers, was captured by the Soviet Union. As the plane had flown from a US base in Peshawar, Pakistan, USSR was furious with Pakistan for permitting the flight; hence, it threatened retaliatory action.  In its defense, Pakistan claimed that it knew nothing about the spy missions. It told the Americans that they could no longer use the airfield unless the destination of all aircraft was notified in advance. 

Q3. What was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty? 💥

This was a treaty that the Americans had tried to get Pakistan to sign in 1980. Its objective was to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology. However, Bhutto made a speech to the US Congress saying that his country had no nuclear weapons, but it had the right to continue its nuclear program to ensure that it could defend itself. Despite US pressure, neither India nor Pakistan had signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Pakistan did not sign because of India's refusal to do so. 

Q4. What was the Pressler Amendment? 💥

This was passed by the USA in 1985 which said that the USA could only give aid to a country after the American president had declared that the country had no nuclear weapons and was not developing them. This amendment was ignored during the Afghan crisis but after the war, the USA refused to give aid to Pakistan as it was developing nuclear weapons. However, in 1995, the Defense Secretary, William Perry, did visit Pakistan and declared that the Pressler Amendment had been a mistake. Therefore, it was revoked through the Brown Amendment in 1996. 

Q5. What was the Brown Amendment? 💥

After Bhutto's visit to the USA in 1996, the Brown Amendment was passed, which authorized the US government to reimburse Pakistan for the F-16 payments and provided $388 million in military equipment. This basically revoked the Pressler Amendment that had been passed before, which had stopped all forms of aid to Pakistan due to developing its nuclear weapons. However, the USA admitted that this was a mistake and as a result passed the Brown Amenedment. 

Q6. What was the 'Thaw'? 

The 'Thaw' was basically when President Clinton wanted to restore relations between Pakistan and the USA. He agreed that the Pressler Amendment had led to unfair treatment and suggested that if Pakistan stopped producing weapon-grade uranium, he would agree to the sale of F-16a. In 1955, the Defence Secretary, William Perry, declared that Presller Amendment has been a mistake. As a result, Bhutto visited the USA in 1966 and following his visit, the Brown Amendment was passed which authorized the US government to reimburse Pakistan for the F-16 payments and provide $388 million in military equipment. As relations improved due to all this, hence, it is called the 'Thaw'. 

Q7. What was SEATO / Manila Pact? 👀 

Q8. What was CENTO / Baghdad Pact? 👀