Rare trade partnership reached

WASHINGTON — Prodded by the Obama administration, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday announced a rare trade partnership aimed at lifting the regional economy and undermining insurgent forces trying to destabilize the two governments.

The trade deal was described by American officials as the first such agreement between the two nations since the 1960s, and termed a means of strengthening ties and creating new jobs in trucking, banking and movement of freight.

The deal, which still must be ratified by both countries, was announced shortly after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived in Islamabad for a visit.

“This is a big deal,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. “… It will help both countries grow their economies and this gives both governments a powerful tool in gaining the support of their people and reducing the appeal of the insurgencies that each face.”

The announcement comes at a time when American support for the war in Afghanistan is waning, and prominent members of Congress are questioning whether it makes sense to deploy more forces to Afghanistan as part of President Barack Obama’s surge.

An ABC News-Washington Post poll released last week showed that only 43 percent of Americans believe the war in Afghanistan is worth fighting.

Against this backdrop, the trade deal sends a signal that the Afghan and Pakistan governments are committed to a more cooperative relationship – an important element in defeating the Taliban and al-Qaida.

The U.S. said the agreement, years in the making, will expand trade along existing routes, create new trade routes and curb illegal trade. By increasing government revenues, the deal will give both Afghanistan and Pakistan new tools with which to combat disease and illiteracy, according to a U.S. primer on the trade deal.

Once adopted, the agreement would cut transit and import costs and make exports more attractive to other countries, the U.S. said.

“It paves the way for closer ties and achieving common goals, including expanded bilateral and regional trade, new jobs and sustainable economic development,” according to a paper released by the Obama administration.

Security measures will be taken to ensure that the liberalized trade measures don’t aid insurgents. Trucks and cargo will be monitored through special tracking devices, according to the U.S.