Will work to decrease Pakistan-India tensions — US ambassador designate to Islamabad

Donald Armin Blome, the United States nominee for ambassador to Pakistan smiles during a meeting with Tunisian official (not pictured) on April 18, 2019. (Photo courtesy: Tunisia govt)

• Donald Blome says strong US bilateral partnerships with India and Pakistan not mutually exclusive, US needs productive ties with both
• Says would press Pakistan to target “all terrorist groups without distinction” including Al-Qaeda, Daesh-Khorasan, Pakistan Taliban

ISLAMABAD: Donald Armin Blome, the United States nominee for ambassador to Pakistan, has said he would work to decrease tensions between India and Pakistan if confirmed for the position, and Washington and Islamabad would jointly combat all militant outfits, including Al-Qaeda, Daesh-Khorasan, and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
Blome, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, is currently the US Ambassador to Tunisia. He was nominated to the position in Pakistan in October.
“The region can ill afford another conflict, especially between nuclear-armed states,” Blome said in testimony before the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Wednesday. “If confirmed, I will work with my colleagues to decrease tensions between India and Pakistan.”
“I have been encouraged by the continued cease-fire along the Line of Control. Strong US bilateral partnerships with India and Pakistan are not mutually exclusive; we need productive ties with both states. Pakistan and India should decide the pace, scope, and character of their bilateral Interactions.”
He said the bilateral relationship with Pakistan remained “extraordinarily consequential” for US core interests, and the US had a shared interest in promoting the role of US business and commercial interests in Pakistan’s economy.
“If confirmed, I will work with Pakistan to resolve market access issues, including concerns with Pakistan’s digital economy regulations, intellectual property protections, and contract enforcement. I will encourage Pakistan to promote more transparent investments through sustainable financing, with a focus on the environmental and social impacts of investment projects.”
Blome said he would press Pakistan to target “all terrorist groups without distinction.”
“The United States and Pakistan are committed to combatting AlQa’ida, Daesh-Khorasan, and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. If confirmed, I also will engage Pakistan on fighting all other groups – including Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed,” the ambassador said.
Blome also said he would not shy from defending human rights in Pakistan, particularly the freedom of religion and expression.
“Religious minorities in Pakistan have long faced societal and legal discrimination, as well as accusations of blasphemy. These accusations have undermined the rule of law, threatened mob rule, deeply damaged Pakistan’s international reputation, and led to murderous violence and many deaths,” the ambassador said.
“If confirmed, I will speak out against these abuses and violations of human rights and religious freedom. I will urge the Pakistani government to cease harassment of journalists and members of civil society, who have faced kidnappings, assaults, intimidation, and disappearances, and hold perpetrators of these actions accountable. I will advocate for expanded protections for freedom of association and assembly and will meet with civil society partners regularly.”