Turmoil in Pakistan
India remains non-judgemental. It's in her best interests to maintain a low profile at this time. She has more than enough worries about her relationship with Pakistan historically and through the recent past. And, after all, it has been under the prime ministership of General Pervez Musharraf that India has enjoyed a relatively worry-free relationship of late.It was General Musharraf who found himself agreeable to a ceasefire in the endless squabbling with India over ownership of Kashmir, although it would also seem he has done precious little to halt Islamist terror activities against India. And it was he, in 2004, who opened peace talks with New Delhi. So, dictatorship or democracy, India has valued its peace under this man.
"We regret the difficult time that Pakistan is passing through. We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue." Who could fault the diplomatic skill, the understated message, the undercurrent of muted support, and gentle chiding abiding in that message?
Mind, General Musharraf has strained his credibility with his crackdown on political opponents while at the same time stating his unequivocal reason for emergency rule is to battle terrorism. While the armed forces are busy in Islamabad rounding up protesters and occasionally resorting to beating them up as well before imprisoning them to keep them out of trouble, their counterparts in the mountainous tribal villages are laying down their weapons.
Yes, the general fully intends to implement promised elections, and has even given the date. His opponents, naturally enough, point out the intransigent malfunction of having democratic elections take place under conditions of emergency rule, where people are being apprehended and taken out of commission - for the apprehension of further protests or for launching campaign appeals and rallies.
As for Benazir Bhutto, she beats her breast, microphone in hand, voice raw from shouting her message of defiance, insisting that martial law be rescinded and normalcy restored. She was placed under house arrest for her own protection, lest another terror bombing occur somewhat more target-specific-successful than the previous one that killed so many of her supporters - we are informed.
As though there wasn't enough pressure on the general, with Western countries crying foul, and the U.S. pressing for amelioration of the situation, and the divesting of the general of his army credentials in favour of just plain 'Mr. President'. Now the Commonwealth gathering of former British colonies has addressed a stinging rebuke attached to a time limit as well.
Removal of the Supreme Court judges and their replacement will handily ensure his re-election results be given a green light. At which time General Musharraf claims "that is the time I can take my oath as president, and I can remove my uniform". Say what you will, this is an embattled man, loathe to surrender his responsibility as leader of Pakistan, with no guarantees on the horizon that anyone else is capable of doing better than he.
Benazir Bhutto retains her aspirations for co-leadership with General Musharraf. They did, after all, reach an amicable conclusion to their ongoing on-again-off-again discussions. She had corruption charges formally dropped against her, clearing the way for return without fear of detention. Although she issued an ultimatum calling for an end to emergency rule, she does not appear to have dropped the promise inherent in their agreement to unite forces.
And then, and then - there is the ghastly spectre of some worrisome element that has the potential to wreak untold horror if it is ever unleashed, fallen into rash, terror-driven hands. All those nasty nuclear warheads. Talk about volatility. Remember all those fundamentalist clerics inspiring their charges to venture into the public eye and agitate for the implementation of Sharia law for Pakistan?
With the end purpose of turning the country into an Islamist state? What's a fellow to do?
Well, we're thinking: stick with the devil we know...?
Labels: Justice, Troublespots, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Monday, November 12, 2007
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