From: PAL-C [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of PAL-C Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 6:27 PM To: Ahmed, Ehsan - ahmedex Subject: Ltr from Amb. Holbrooke / 9-11 Peace Vigil / Eid Mubarak! Weblink: Click Here <http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=s8fkv8bab&v=0015qKm9V6FE G6nQa48nF-EBUrPJGHpqQnMeUGQSQ1y201Q9SDv4hY9gekc2cwsQbWBZimFnvGOV_yhR2yRW3cFR RsegDwp1wMRfEUbXLilAGc%3D> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYw_-VqU95lePRbl9SXHUOnZPShjJ7rlXVSJKtz873gnusC2VypUGiUHk8D6D1J-tfQ41tIBFR yTYQPpko6Caash7QdWAX74aXuAUUUQm9LT-ioJkmgNh8Wm> banner PAL-C Newsletter Ltr from Amb. Holbrooke / 9-11 Peace Vigil / Eid Mubarak! September 8, 2010 PAL-C Headquarters, Washington D.C., USA Board of National Directors Shoaib Kothawala Najeeb Ghauri Salim Adaya Dr. Salman Naqvi Mossadaq Chughtai Pervaiz Lodhie Dr. Rafiq Rahman Arif Mansuri Qaisar Madad Asim Ashary Nayyer Ali Eid Celebrations <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101513693042/img/567.jpg> Eid Mubarak from PAL-C! Taqabbal Allahu minna wa minkum, Kul 3am wa antum bi'khair May God accept the good deeds from us and from you, May every year find you in good health! Letter from Ambassador Holbrooke to the Pakistani-American Community [Editor's Note: The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) wanted to pass along to our members the following letter from U.S. Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Holbrooke. PAL-C has been working in very close coordination with the Special Representative's office, efforts that Ambassador Holbrooke recognizes in this letter. PAL-C staff has jointly worked on some of the initiatives described below in an advisory and support capacity in meetings that often go late into the night and we have been impressed with the hard work and dedication of the Special Representative's office and their determination to get things right. PAL-C has also been working with USAID and other US inter-agency teams that have played a huge role in accomplishing Ambassador Holbrooke's statement, "we want the U.S. to be the first with the most" in terms of assistance to Pakistan and top USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah's statement that the U.S. wants to help Pakistan, "build back better," using the 2005 earthquake as a model where the U.S. was instrumental in constructing better earthquake-resistant schools in the affected areas that were vast improvements over the demolished structures. Finally, PAL-C has a legislative strategy already in place in anticipation of Congress returning from recess next week, and we hope to see the same kind of Congressional leadership on flood relief already demonstrated by Chairman Kerry in his trip to Pakistan and subsequent statements and efforts. (PAL-C encourages members to express their gratitude to Senator Kerry by calling his office <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYxzbOZbHuZza3dvu3hP0WMYOkDKJgvbx9rNycTMtnkePMVRL9N_H4uAxyX7V3UFHhCXhU6vkt f0xpAACCZzAJKCtUW5bBgLfnB-rkQ2jRTkPINaTeegHjbE> at (202) 224-2742. Much more remains to be done, and PAL-C will need every American to step up to the plate and assist us in our efforts to help the people of Pakistan by extending a uniquely generous and helping American hand of support and assistance.] HB 1 <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101513693042/img/565.jpg> HB 2 <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101513693042/img/566.jpg> Interfaith Peace Vigil <http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs049/1101513693042/img/568.jpg> Private Sector Perspectives on Floods US Companies Respond ($10.5 mln) American companies are responding to the disaster relief effort with corporate aid pledges, including cash, in-kind contributions, employee-matching campaigns, and customer engagement. "As the magnitude of this super flood is becoming apparent, the business community is gearing up to see how we can help the country cope with the immediate crisis and accelerate the recovery process," said Stephen Jordan, executive director of the US Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYx_tybAQG_RlP0_CoNBJ31HHH0yPhjG9Unp_uSqqlngbFXses7cz-Lt6GSkL5U2Cmw0bDguvG CijNT7XMuLli_Z-NF98KzJ-AxGL_gpTxXNb5vxgl9-PzCQOckdUlHCnsHrxL2i8GOr0PlO83QQ2N OfUlD9CYxviy3hOiuYQMQ_Dg==> Over the past five years, Pakistan has ranked as the third-largest overseas recipient <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYxMxvltm9l7DKSBXRtaIZ-QKwCgvMU0UixxdJ52JK56_0Dp66qIhdiPsk4zCtEtCWyfQLP_aR wqBIDEU8eqrCz5qSZN4tQbBBS9p6Sn0_m2W3cGc_PVAbHPkR6ENB-L8Fx9tvSGJqhgogdn3kE_ZV rlh31IZWJHQogDiK4FAlH23neFwi54Zms_> of disaster response assistance from the business community, after Haiti and China. For a list of corporate responders, visit BCLC's Pakistan flood response portal. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYxOyTvAd7Zm26rH90-hxSzrDYirtV6GjeeZrfZW8flo0WMETyGUsaRVUP3_YKKFcGZNCnqHRa snn-DX3qQcqkNkyMVYJqW95miiQBT2eMyKIhtYckYN0HiTlXsFDMfKUuC95mcKDjQHSIRVUk6ZUm Pax6Hq4uY0ZFecG6VWuArV6RAD90Jp9sGb> BCLC has activated the Office Depot Foundation-sponsored Disaster Help Desk for Business (1-888-MY-BIZ-HELP, [log in to unmask]), which exists to field inquires from donor companies about how to help in disaster situations. In cooperation with the US-Pakistan Business Council <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYzFnG98H8cV2YYxsxXPn1KzhT_vQixoR4m294Ip7--rCKTcFPua2c9mqkzBNtrtoRy9mhVYoN avPVOtozquxneaNyQvuGc--dVonmVIDmDYRg==> , BCLC is hosting information-sharing conference calls, documenting corporate aid contributions, and informing the public and relevant partners about the current state of corporate disaster aid contributions. Find out more here <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYx_tybAQG_RlP0_CoNBJ31HHH0yPhjG9Unp_uSqqlngbFXses7cz-Lt6GSkL5U2Cmw0bDguvG CijNT7XMuLli_Z-NF98KzJ-AxGL_gpTxXNb5vxgl9-PzCQOckdUlHCnsHrxL2i8GOr0PlO83QQ2N OfUlD9CYxviy3hOiuYQMQ_Dg==> . BMA's Pakistan Economic Impact Analysis Please click on the images below to download the full BMA Economic Impact Analysis. <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYxkk23sDxVo026BgH9NU4yjVJG07C9DpDgC0pqOo-JpfF7x1VyRw9udX2S1RhmiJ_vxatV6nn LYWgXSYqQ6gYf-rEnMEG-Cx_aLnGrZfTetJ_j60ExtV6r-wHYqqo7PTiATSTiVKkzKfw==> BMA Page 1 <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYxkk23sDxVo026BgH9NU4yjVJG07C9DpDgC0pqOo-JpfF7x1VyRw9udX2S1RhmiJ_vxatV6nn LYWgXSYqQ6gYf-rEnMEG-Cx_aLnGrZfTetJ_j60ExtV6r-wHYqqo7PTiATSTiVKkzKfw==> BMA Page 7 "This is Pakistan's Katrina" A call for help in flood-ravaged Pakistan John Kerry, Boston Globe | August 17, 2010 THIS IS Pakistan's Katrina. I just returned from that country, where the devastation created by the recent floods was gut-wrenching. Five years after floods washed over the southern United States, Pakistan is suffering from an epic disaster. And we turn away from Pakistan in its hour of need at our own peril... So far, the world isn't keeping up with the challenge. The United States government is doing its part by leading international donor efforts with $200 million so far, including money from the "Kerry-Lugar-Berman'' aid package for Pakistan that Congress passed last year. Much more needs to be done by foreign governments and private citizens alike. The danger of the floods extends beyond a very real humanitarian crisis. A stable and secure Pakistan, based on democracy and the rule of law, is in all of our interests. Pakistan has made enormous strides in combating extremism and terrorism - at great sacrifice by its soldiers, police, and citizens. But its ability to keep up the fight requires an effective response to this crisis. To its credit, the Obama administration understands the need for a multi-faceted approach. For the past year and a half, it has pursued a policy that goes beyond traditional security issues. With the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package of $1.5 billion a year in civilian assistance as the cornerstone, the administration has sought to help the Pakistani people overcome the political, economic, and security challenges that threaten Pakistan's stability and regional stability. This is a long-term, people-to-people effort. The floods only raise the stakes. Already, there are concerns that extremist groups will provide aid to exploit the crisis and increase their influence over a vulnerable population. We have to be strategic. First, we have to understand the limits of aid. US assistance alone won't improve our image in the long run. While our standing improved in Pakistan after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, the effects were temporary. A Pew poll taken before the floods showed only 17 percent of Pakistanis view us favorably, and 59 percent described the United States as an enemy. The good news is that 64 percent want better relations with us. Second, we have to rethink how we communicate. Most Pakistanis receive their news from Urdu-language TV or, for the displaced, from cell phones. We need to target these media more effectively. We need a sophisticated communications strategy tailored to specific audiences - such as lower- to middle-class Punjabis, where the bulk of anti-American, anti-Indian, and pro-Taliban rhetoric is centered; young people, particularly on university campuses where radicalization takes place; and opinion makers in Lahore and Karachi who drive the news cycle, particularly in local languages like Urdu and Pashto. The message also matters; it must resonate with Pakistanis. Finally, we have to be transparent about how we are spending money in Pakistan and tailor our assistance to what Pakistanis want. They need to feel tangible benefits from US aid and see that we are spending our money to help them. Some remain suspicious of US efforts to channel money through the Pakistani government, which they view as corrupt or inadequate. We have an opportunity with the Kerry-Lugar-Berman aid package to improve our long-term standing and make a real difference - if we communicate effectively and spend efficiently. If we fail to reverse the tide of public opinion, no amount of aid will succeed. Pakistan's Katrina has put enormous pressure on the Pakistan government. It will take years and billions of dollars to recover. By helping Pakistan do it right, we can have a positive and lasting impact. John Kerry is the chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee. PAL-C welcomes your feedback and strives hard to better serve the Pakistani American community. Please feel free to give us your feedback on the newsletter, suggest improvements, and please provide any thoughts on PAL-C's efforts. We also ask that you contribute <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYw5SbbN-gzdqcTDdZGS7bv35M_CFYPfEd8h-ngER5HMCXtMpKDmCHvs2XV5kvuI42thL-tUy7 o1OB6oJsNmagSdp1fbKv174-VZ5xgTS1fcxlKdnxK9rd9q> so we may continue to offer these types of services and advocate on your behalf for your rights, your interests, and so that your children may see a better and brighter tommorrow here in America. Sincerely, Taha A. Gaya <mailto:[log in to unmask]> Executive Director Pakistani American Leadership Center <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&et=1103669652361&s=9867&e=001XE6ylB 2zHYy30Maln5-ZBxDTN1iBEBiDtcOC_MUpxumoVPD1u_iXJxlVeajKciOHauq1Cou4dMW3IZ_PT_ 8xr-dPgFD2hXriU6IW6JfDs7I=> Forward email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&m=1101513693042&ea= ahmedex%40jmu.edu&a=1103669652361> <http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&v=001uV3jnccU8ba coh596cJW8e-td-7HL3YKWZRSt5m45E-bOSuBMod4QNnTZ4peNf2AXJz0xpUOTrIpKLwNU6KX5g% 3D%3D&p=un> Safe Unsubscribe This email was sent to [log in to unmask] by [log in to unmask] Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&v=001uV3jnccU8ba coh596cJW8e-td-7HL3YKWZRSt5m45E-bOSuBMod4QNnTZ4peNf2AXJz0xpUOTrIpKLwNU6KX5g% 3D%3D&p=oo> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&v=001uV3jnccU8ba coh596cJW8e-td-7HL3YKWZRSt5m45E-bOSuBMod4QNnTZ4peNf2AXJz0xpUOTrIpKLwNU6KX5g% 3D%3D&p=un> T | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp> . <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_113> Email Marketing by <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=TEM_News_113> PAL-C | 236 Massachusetts Ave., NE | Suite 207 | Washington | DC | 20002 <http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?llr=s8fkv8bab&t=1103669652361.0.1101513693042.986 7&ts=S0523&o=http://ui.constantcontact.com/images/p1x1.gif>