Worrying . . . Needlessly?
Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf is on the campaign trail. Not inside Pakistan, campaigning internally in preparation for a victory in the upcoming elections, wrought as they have been with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to re-election. Rather, through a European tour, designed to elicit support from the international community for himself and his rule of his country.He's started out right: by urging the West to forget its unrealistic standards upon his politically fractured country. As though he's not facing more than enough difficulties, with the deadly turmoil in his country. He won no plaudits from abroad when he dismissed the country's judges and packed the high court with his personal selections. But that's the way things are done in an autocracy.
He did cock an ear to the international community when he attempted to forge an alliance with Benazir Bhutto, and it isn't quite his fault that the deadly insurgency against a moderate, secular-minded Pakistan bought her death. She was warned by him, by those whose advice she sought from security sources within the international community, and she chose of her own free will, to disregard their advice.
Which should not have cost her her life, but that is the reality of the situation in Pakistan. For she herself permitted the existence of fiercely fundamentalist Islamists in the country's mountainous border regions, as well as her predecessors - and her notable successor. It was her revered father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who forgot his promise to alleviate the poverty of Pakistan's masses and opted instead to "honour" his country by encouraging the development of atomic technology.
Realizing a jubilant success, and through his elevation of his chief nuclear scientist, releasing nuclear technology to fearsomely irrational sources like North Korea, Iran, Libya (which has latterly redeemed itself in the opinion of some).
"We are determined to hold free, fair and transparent elections, and peaceful elections. There is no possibility of it being rigged" he informed news media in Brussels, post-meetings with European Union and NATO representatives. "Whoever wins, obviously power will be handed over. There is no question at all that we will deny forming a government to whichever party forms a majority."
Can't be much clearer than that, much more devoted to the country's version of democracy. "Pakistan", he reminded his interlocutors, "is at the forefront of fighting terrorism and extremism. Please understand us, please support us, please encourage us instead of the insinuation" - referring to accusations of collusion in Ms. Bhutto's assassination.
And while agreeing that concerns over human rights and democracy are valid, Mr. Musharraf spoke of western concerns over both issues as "obsessive". And so they most certainly must seen through the prism of a secular Muslim country, ever conflicted within itself, and facing ongoing opposition by ironclad fundamentalist Islamists through suicide attacks, bombing, invasions of villages and police detachments, as well as deadly assaults upon Pakistan's armed forces personnel.
"You have taken centuries in reaching wherever you have come. Allow us time for going for the values that you have established for yourselves", he recommended sensibly. Not readily attained to while combating al-Qaeda-aligned forces and Pakistani Taliban, themselves violently intent on altering the political and religious focus of the country and establishing Sharia law.
Reminding, lest it be forgotten, that Pakistan is on the front line attempting to hold back Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan, through the vital border link between the two countries. Its efforts in support of NATO forces in their struggle to combat and subdue the resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan may not represent exactly what the U.S. demands, but the issue is complex and what other choice of assistance is there in the geography?
There is no need to worry, he claims of potential vulnerability with respect to Pakistan's nuclear arsenal falling into the wrong hands, since all such installations and related armaments are in the protective hands of the military. "That could only be possible if these terrorists can defeat the Pakistan army - or if they were to win in the elections - there is no chance whatsoever of that."
Let's hope he knows his country well. And in the face of his declarations and their undeniable sincerity, here's hoping he receives the support he needs and likely deserves.
Labels: Conflict, Realities, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, January 22, 2008
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