'If [people] are permitted to choose their own destiny … the extremists will be marginalized.' True or false?
Comment: I wish the Indians would mass armored divisions and mech infantry and roll right over the P-stani terrorists. Its no secret they train Kashmiri seperatists to carry out terror attacks against India. Sooner or later, P-stan has mushroom clouds in its future. They deserve it too.
Comment: Terrorism is not specific to any modle of governance i.e. democratic or authoritative rule. Terrorism is the product or weapon of suppressor or the supressed to terroriize the opposite for gaining specific goals. Both act beyound etthecal torms and even humanism. Power knows no boundries and impowerishment is ignirant of life. Terrorist activities carried out by America and Istail are mostly responsible for frustration among the weaks. As frustration leads to desperation and desperation gives bith to violanlnce, the present state of terrorist activities. .
Comment: Pakistan has a design flaw from its creation, it has a incorrect purpose. Of being a bastion from where islam can spread across in South Asia and beyond. Until that is corrected they will conflict with all non-muslim countries in the area sooner or latter. By non-muslim countries are the ones that do not call them selves Islamic republic of whatever..
Comment: You have mentioned that most terrorist attacks happen in democratic countries, but it seems there have been several terrorist attacks on Pervez Musharraf and esle where in Pakistan. There have been more terrorist attcks in Pakistan than in India or other countries in the region. Does it mean that Pkaistan has been democractic under Pervez Musharraf or there had been loose contro of the security.
To many Iraqi's who have lost their beloved ones, children, wives, parents who may have died because of our bombing, in their own hands, we would be the terrorists, what ever reason we may give for doing that. It depends upon how you define terrorism..
Comment: watch out 'Oynus '.. you're beginning to sound like a realist like Dr. Wright!
Comment: You said terrorist attacks happen only oin democracies, but what about the several terrorist attacks in Pakistan on Pervez Musharraf and else where in that country. Actually the terrorist attacks on Pkaistan have exceeded th attacks on India or many other countries in the region. Did you consider Pakistan a democratic country before the last election?
What about the attack on Saudi Arabia in Al Khobar and several other places in the Kingdom?
To many Iraqis who lost their beloved ones, children, wives and parents in our attack on Iraq, our attack was an act of terrorism. It depends how you define terrorism.
Comment: IN THIS ENVIORNMENT OF ECONOMIC FEUDALISM WHERE THE MIDDLE CLASS MUST SUFFER IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE pROFITS OF MULTINATIONAL CORpORATIONS, WHO BENEFIT FROM CHEAp LABOR, THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN LOST.
MULTINALTIONALS FROM INDIA HAVE BROUGHT THEIR CHEAp WAyS TO AMERICA. WE NOW HAVE AMERIANS GOING TO GET HEART SURGERy IN INDIA BEAUSE IT IS CHEApER. OUR INFORMATION TECHNOLy JOBS HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED TO INDIA.
CHINA WAITS UNTIL WE INVENT IT AND THEN THEy STEAL IT. WHy REINVENT THE WHEEL.
ARABS FINANCIERS OWN OVER TWELVER pER CENT OF OUR ECONOMy AND IN RECENT MONTTHS HAVE "BAILED" OUT OUR BANKS. IN ADDITION, ARAB INTEREST FROM DUBAI AND KUWAIT HAVE FINANCED OUR pOLITICAL LEADERS ENDEVOURS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE pOLITICAL SpECTRUM.. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.
We have been fooled by our own government and there is no way any Republican is going to win this election. THE Middle class has had it with all this Bin LADEN terrorist crap. WE are now scared of our own government more than we are of the terrorist because the decisions this government is making on our behalf is not in our best interests and it is killing us. The government is now dominating our civil liberties. They are giving the states millions for Real ID Cards. This is just the start of government intrusion. Combine this with the misuse of the Patriot Act and the future Plans of insurance comPanies and corporations to have full access to our personal records and we have a real crisis.
Credit Card companies have already started selling and sharing our personal information with the private sector. We really have to wake up and protect our constitution it is all we have to defend ourselves against interests that become too rich and powerful in this country. The government keeps expanding and is being predominantly controlled by special interest and lobbyist. The middle class is being weakened and our civil liberties are being threatened. Real ID Cards will not make "us safer" infacat terrorists can obtain fake ones and move about freely. The American people did not vote on Real ID Cards, we need a vote. Our constitution would have to be ammended in order for Real ID's to become legal. I do not know what has happened in Washington but it is getting out of hand. They know what they are doing is unconstitutional so they are trying to bribe the states by offering them money. I hope every state agrees with me and Prevents the federal govenment from imPosing THIS unconstitutional law. If the states allow the government to do this then they would have set a bad Precedent that could lead to further government violations.
WHy IS THERE A NEED TO WIRE TAp EVERy CITIZEN. ARE yOU KIDDING ME. yOU NEED A WARRANT. THIS IS MADNESS. GOVERNMENT IS USING TERRORISM AS AN EXCUSE TO INTRUDE ON OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES. THIS IS INSANE.
McCain will continue to implementt these misguided REpublian policies. McCain's ONE HUNDRED year agenda is not in AMERICA"s BEST INTEREST.
Comment: Fareed Zakaria, Newsweek and Bush are the chips of the same mother-board of terror machine. The whole drama being staged in Pakistan is introduction of new elements in the fast track terror breeding maneuvers for appropriate future applications at various places of interests.
Views expressed here have no relevance to the ground realities in Pakistan. These views serve an important purpose by providing useful information from all quarters from which a highly volatile information is picked-up for use in accelerating the next stage flash point events designed for meeting covert plans.
It would be of interest to note that, such events only crop-up when the US is heading for Presidential elections. Sen. Obama is already grinding his ax and terrorizing Pakistan for lifting his own image. Bush had blatantly used Bin-ladan bogey for his advantage. Obama is shamelessly following the example. This, he is doing with dual purpose of wiping his Muslim smear by hurting Pakistan and adding martial advantage over the lady named Hillary. This definitely is much more than a war of Pakistan. It is a war of have's against have nots, to be fought till "one have alls".
Comment: Why doesn't bush understand that the breeding of terrorism needs financial support and sponsorship. The thing wrong done by the Administrations like Bush is when they are against trends against trends they are always giving financial support to the oppose. In sociology every situation strengthens the oppose situation. In other words effect brings reaction. I think they must stop to give financial support to groups and the interventionist behavioral.The compare of two countries defined by religion (S.Arabia and Afghanistan ) is completely wrong because S.Arabia terrorism engaged groups didn't take financial support fight against Soviet Union
Comment: Iam shocked to read the comments of Fareed Zakaria by labelling the US war as pakistan's war.This shows how shallow his knowledge about the whole issue of war on so called terrorism and about the people of Pakistan .The majority of People of pakistan and the tribal area are peace loving and certainly donot want any spell of blood.If you try to impose your will on the traial people you are wrong.I would advise Zakaria to read a bit of history andf the start writing and advising others.I think it is high time he advises uncle sam and the illinformed Bush to change his policy of gengoism.
Comment: I always enjoy reading Fareed Zakaria' s articles. His unique insite into world problems
especially those in the Middle East amaze me. We are so fortunate to have someone like
him to explain the point of view of those countries - something that most Americans like
me could never hope to understand without him. Thanks So Much - Mr. Zakaria!
Comment: You are fareed Zakaria pretending to be shadrick47. Stop loving you're self dude!
Comment: But, Farid what would be the ultimate goal of 'diplomacy' with the Jihadis? At most what the democratic forces could achieve with them would be not to attack withn Pakistan. And here lies the imbeded problem. The world wants that no terror is exported out of Pakistan. As long as the upcoming government cannot bring that about, they will back at square one. The US cannot sit idle while Americans and allies are being killed in Afghanistan at the hands of those who cross the border.
Comment: "when a dictatorship controls the political life of a country, responsible opposition cannot develop and dissent is driven underground and toward the extreme." In Bush's opinion, the antidote is democracy.
has Bush forgotten that the 9/11 perpetrators were almost all from Saudi Arabia? What about THAT 'dictatorship'. It seems with American foreign policy, democracy is needed and necessary in countries not friendly to US government or not willing to be bullied. Pakistan will continue to have problems as long as Northwest Frontier Province remains out of govt control and in hands of the tribes there.
Terrorists attacks on democracies would probably cease if those democracies stopped imposing their own political beliefs and foreign interests on poorer, authoritarian countries.
Comment: Elections in reality are not a cure to stop terrorism. In Lebanon when the government gave seats in government to Hezbollah there were no elections at all. This was done not out of wanting a democracy, but of fear of Hezbollah and for the money Hezbollah gave to the poor to help the economy. What happened when Lebanon wanted those seats back they gave freely up to Hezbollah without elections. Hezbollah started their killings. No, elections are not the cure all, but they some times keep terrorist like Hezbollah from getting elected positions in government.
Comment: the war is purely Americans war,Before the invasion of Afghanistan there was no terrorism, terrorism start,when musharaf has start destroying the peace,muslimism of the peoples of Pakistan for his own power to remain,the history will remmember him asthe most stupid muslim of history.but also he will be doubted as a non muslim.as the as
Comment: The problem now is whether General Pervez Musharraf and his coterie of civilian hangers-on will really accept the message the election results have given. And this message is that General Musharraf???s policies should discontinue and that he should not hold any political office at present. There are indications that this has not sunk down into the collective mind of General Musharraf and his coterie. First, there are no signs of General Musharraf wanting to bow out while he may. Second, the restrictions on the deposed judges, and especially Aitzaz Ahsan, have not been eased. Third, there are covert threats to Asif Zardari and the Sharif brothers that various court cases may be taken up against them again. Fourth, the United States is still issuing statements in favour of the status quo.
The Musharaf own stability is the stability and the peace of the graveyard in which free speech, free thought, original research, journalistic courage ??? everything withers away. We do not want that. Hence, all arguments to continue with the set-up which the people have rejected in the name of stability and continuity are wrong and must be opposed.
The problem is that the United States is giving arguments of this kind. Exactly what is at stake here? Obviously, the ???war on terror???.
Firstly, the decision-makers never said that their past policies of supporting the Taliban in order to gain ???strategic depth??? in Afghanistan were wrong. They never also acknowledged that the whole policy of using fighters in Kashmir, and even Afghanistan earlier, to fight in the name of Islam was deeply flawed.
All these disasters were never acknowledged, never accounted for and never rectified. That is why the ???war on terror??? was associated with the US and with General Musharraf himself in the public mind. If it had been fought candidly, consistently and lawfully ??? that is without abducting people unlawfully at the behest of foreign powers or intelligence agencies ??? the people of Pakistan would have supported it in the interest of the country.
Even now, if the civilian government which is formed cares for the long-term interests of our own people, it will continue to fight those who challenge the writ of the state through violent means.Our people have never voted for the religious parties and may not do so unless non-democratic rulers force them to turn away from democracy.
In short, in the long-term interests of peace, tolerance and democracy it is necessary for the establishment to listen to the people for once. They want the judges to be restored; the president to resign; and the media to be free and if this is not done they will lose faith in the vote itself.
It is also necessary for foreign powers to do the same because, if they do so, a future government of Pakistan will be able to resist Islamic militancy otherwise the people will not let it do so.
Comment:
Lets all of us face the truth: blind hatred for the previous order ruled by Pervez Musharraf and for his handmaiden junta headed by the House of Gujrat was so deep-seated that the people so overwhelmingly repudiated them that even the rigging they did was not enough to save their skins.
In any case, The Mother of All Elections happened to bode ill for Gen (Retd) Musharraf just as the Mother of All Battles was bad for Saddam Hussein. The only hope is that whilst in the latter case Saddam took his country down with him, Musharraf will have the honour to abide by his own promise to leave if he finds that the people no longer want him. How else should the people tell him they don???t want him?
A big Mubarik to Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif for behaving like great statesmen and agreeing to come into a coalition both in the centre and Punjab. And the pox on those who are advocating to both to go it without the other and team up with the smaller parties, including the King???s Party.
Special opprobrium of course, upon the American administration and the British government, for so shamelessly and so foolishly going on and on about their full support for Musharraf despite the clear verdict of the people against the man. They should realise sooner rather than later that they are closing the door upon themselves, and that if they persist in their diabolical plans that they will lose whatever little good name they have left in the region, let alone in this country.
American foolishness doesn???t merely stop here. Asked whether the new civilian leaders will change course in the Tribal Areas a senior Bush administration official said: ???We still expect the [Pakistan] Army is going to take the necessary military action.??? Of course it will; but under the orders of the civilian government, duly approved by the parliament. The Pakistan Army is an organ of the State, not the State, somebody ought to tell the man.
And could John McCain, the quite frightening Republican contender for the White House, please stop calling Musharraf ???a legitimately elected president???. Simply because most Pakistanis do not think so!
Bushism of the Week: ???I???m oftentimes asked, what difference does it make to America if people are dying of malaria in a place like Ghana? It means a lot. It means a lot morally, it means a lot from a ??? it???s in our national interest??? ??? President George W Bush; Accra, Ghana, Feb 20, 2008
Comment: Fareed, I love your articles, you get it. The USA does not get it. Its not about democracy. Islam is complete way of life, Muslim's Love America. America is the greatest country in the world. America needs to direct the monies given to these countries directly to the people. Take American small companies and do Joint Venture with companies in Pakistan or any other country. Invest the money in hospitals, water project, housing. This is the soultion, win the hearts of the people.
Comment: The Newsweek is living in the past. Few people in the world believe in Bush and his war on terror. Most people (specially outside the U.S.) that it had covert geo-strategic objectives that include dominance in the middle east, bases in central asia, etc. People in Pakistan want Musharraf OUT NOW. The U.S. dipolamts and out of touch media men should read the writing on the wall. The time for a Bush poddle is up!
Comment: Democracy is a temporary reprieve from instability. It has no relationship to support for fundamentalists and terrorists. Support for the Taliban and for terrorists in Kashmir began under Benazir Bhutto. Every inept government including ours points at "evil people" out there in the absence of domestic accomplishments and uses "religion" as the "opiate of the masses.".
Comment: This is out of context and based on little knowledge. Benazir Bhutto worked hard to eliminate terrorists despite heavy odds and short time in the government
Comment: Actually she was as oppertunistic as any politician & she did sponcer terror in India
Comment: If the author knew any better, this war that we are talking about was never Pakistan's war. It was always in the interest of the U.S. The reason Pakistan is now infested with extremists is because they slipped in there during the Afghan war which was financed by the U.S. And the reason Musharraf lost support is because he supported the U.S. after 9/11. If it wasn't for Musharraf, Pakistan would be what Iraq and Afghanistan are today.
Comment: Another biased article from an indian (now American) about Pakistan. You can not expects an intellectual argument from an indian. Their bias will show immediately as soon as they open their mouth.
india is a democracy granted! but have occupied Kashmir, killed thousand of people in Assam. india sponsored state terrorism in Srilanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. Went to war with Pakistan and China. Only indians can make india looks good in the western world with bollywood imagination
Comment: Thanks...i was getting worried why no paki is bashing india yet for the problems of their's god fordsaken country....
Thanks for being consistent. Thats one thing we can always count on paki is to bash india...
Comment: This election result in the return of Mr.10% and same corrupt politician that had plundered the country and then ran away. Now when country???s economy is in good shape and we are seeing upward of 6% GDP growth, these politicians will loot the country, create unstable government which will result in FDI drain and will hurt the economy. I can???t believe that people of Pakistan was so naïve that they forget what happened in 90???s. How can you trust a thief a fox to guard the hen house? If you look closely, the only platform PML (N) ran was outset of Musharraf and brings back the corrupt Chief Justice. They have no plan on how they will run the economy and how they will address the terrorist and law and order situation in the country.
When people criticize Military rule, they tend to forget that whenever (and every time) when military take over the government, people welcome them with open arms. These politicians have money stash in Swiss bank accounts and in other foreign countries; the money they looted from the citizens of Pakistan. If something happen to the country, they will run away to Dubai, London, or America. Majority of rich people already leaving abroad and don???t really care the stability of the county. These two factions of society have no vested interested in stable Pakistan. The only people have any stake in the country is middle class, poor people, and military. Democracy is not the solution for every problem. You have to create an environment for democracy to flourish. You have to have a tolerance for opposite view point and education are the most important ones. Almost 60% of Pakistan???s population lives in rural areas. They work on the land that is control by feudal lords. They have no freedom to vote any candidate they chose too. Feudal lord control their food supply, shelter, and safety of their families. They have to abide by what he tells them. Unless we get rid of these obstructions, democracy will never take root in the country and we will keep seeing the repeat of 90???s.
Comment: The people of Pakistan do not want a dictator who is a paid CIA agent. Period! The rest they can sort out themselves. And no the benefits of the so-called economic growth did not reach the masses. because it was a liquidity bubble and caused high inflation
Comment: The elections in Pakistan and the defeat of Musharraf's party in the elections is the best thing that could have happened to democracy in Pakistan.
The Generalisimo had flouted all rules of civilized rule , by gagging the free press, suppressing the judiciary, hounding and exterminating political opponents and ensured that anyone who opposed his rule or views was dealt with firmly.
He even hoodwinked the United states by using the plea of fighting Islamic and jehadi forces and milked America dry both in terms of financial help and arms support from the United states, thus leading to an arms race in the subcontinent.
Pakistanis can now breathe easy and all millstones around the necks of the press the judiciary and the citizens have in one fell swoop been removed by the verdict of the masses.
Hail democracy.
Comment: bush time of usa has brought miseries,uncertainties,insecurity to Americans,by supporting Israel,Pakistan.invading Afghanistan,Iraq.They would have achieved what they want by using the stretchy of consultation,90% of the world hate Americans becauseof Bush wrong policies,
Comment: He has 19% support here. He got the job stealing two elections. We can not rid ourselves of this pox fast enough.
Comment: Now the US must realise that the role of Musharaf now comes to an end
And suprise to see the US support of the man whose all wings are now cut
How the US support a man who is declared as all time sick man of the world
This will be a great blunder of the US if they tried to support the dictator instead of democratic parties
The loath against Musharaf are at all time peak and this will divert to the US too
And if the public the secular become anti US and possibility is above 100 % due to the US support of the sick man
These terrorist are the regime generated and expand during the last two or three years instead of eliminating
The regime or Musharaf playing the dual game and the objective were to convince the US that we are fight against terrorism and the 2nd he know that if terrorist eliminated his own power became danger and came to an end
So the US must to with draw the support of the sick man in case not so then possibility that all the secular and anti Musharaf may join the terrorist and that may physical or financial
The anti Musharaf sentiments are at large and this must change to anti US
Comment: LET's CONFRONT THE SOURCE OF THE THREAT. THE OWNERS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS. OR DO WE JUST LIKE TO FIGHT?
Comment: IT is a two faced relationship because the CLINTON's have close ties with DUBAI. THE ARABS own more than twelve PER CENT of our economy. AND WE ARE heavily IN DEBT TO ARAB Financiers.
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT voting for the IRAQ WAR has STRENGTHENED IRAN a hundred times over.
IS THIS IN ISRAEL's BEST INTEREST?
OBAMA IS very CONCERNED WITH THE RISE OF IRAN AND IS EAGER TO DIFFUSE the situation> Hillary WOULD JUST IGNITE THE FLAMES. WE NEED A NEW Approach.
"TO SOLVE PROBLEMS we must CONFRONT THE SOURCE AND DEFEAT IT". eddiewhere 2008
A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO RUSSIA DELIVERED THE LAST OF IT's NUCLEAR SHIPMENT TO IRAN.
WE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THAT SHIPMENT by confronting RUSSIA and making it clear that they cannot provide IRAN with nuclear materials. THE ex SOVIET UNION, EASTERN EUROPEAN nations and the five breakaway REPUBLICS in CENTRAL ASIA are the source OF THE WORLD's INSECURE NUCLEAR MATERIALS. BUT WE NEVER GO TO THE SOURCE and CONFRONT IT.
THIS IS WHy WE NEED A CHANGE. THE SOLUTIONS ARE THERE WE ARE JUST FOLLOWING THE INCORRECT Protocol..
THE Israeli/ Palestinian CONFLICT is what dictates political relations in the MIDDLE EAST..
OBAMA WILL LEAD an ARAB/ISRAELI MOVEMENT FOR pEACE. AFTER ALL, THEY ARE THE ONE's THAT MUST CONQUER THE OBSTACLES that obstruct the PATH TO PEACE.
WHAT IS BEST FOR AMERICA IS TO GET THESE TWO adversaries in the same room TOGETHER AS "MUCH" AS possible. WE NEED young JEWISH AND ARAB groups TO COME TOGHETHER AT ALL LEVELS. OBAMA SHOULD SIT DOWN WITH THE TWO FACTIONS AND CHALLENGE THEM to build organizations that encourage interaction between the two groups. THIS IS THE type OF PARADIGM WE NEED TO FOLLOW if we wish to solve the challenges that face our COUNRy.
Comment: Democracy in America over the past seven years years has become a contradiction as well as a paradox. Many were led to believe that they must give up many prior liberties and make considerable sacrifices and concessions or the terrorist will become the victors. Civil rights have given way to the Patriot Act and the FBI has the right to search anyone suspected of terrorist activity. I can see how Bush was disappointed. Glad the terrorists didn't win.
Comment: Democracy has its own price tags attached to it. There was this friend Musharraf in Pakistan; He was fighting US war against the extremist and Al Qaeda as a front state in ???US war against Terror???. But the man is being intimidated and also labelled as dictator with an aim that he goes down defamed and be seen as defunct. To con him further, a premature quest for democracy in Pakistan was orchestrated to press Musharraf to hold Elections. He did come up with fair and free Elections and has brought back the democracy that now the entire world praises and approves. But Look what Pakistan has got in return:-
Democracy has brought back the defunct pilferers and plunderers in chair. And what is the surety that they will not avail another pilfering scoop and runaway?
If this is democracy; then what will you give a name to a Non-sense?
Comment: It is no body's secret that, terror was invented to achieve covert objectives of the US administration. After winning the cold war and blasting Soviet terror into oblivion without dirtying its hands and gaining its long sought exclusive control on the global opportunities, the weapon which tamed the polar bear, when no more required, was renamed "Terror" and is being eliminated. Ironically, Mujaheddin, who fought Soviet Russia are now reclaassified as Jihadis, terrorists and Islamic Militants. Their key man specially trained in espionage, is now the most wanted and highest priced criminal. Nobody has seen the man for over six years and still he is terrorizing the world. Is it not a huge scar on the dignity of lone super power? Or, the terror-man has already been disposed of secretly and his bogey is being kept alive any length of time for undisclosed reasons? Ground realities amply prove that, he is more useful hidden or dead than captive or alive.
Comment: Pakistan is a country with a very long history ,traditions and culture.We are simple people,but when we have FOOLS ruling us who want to please the west,things start going wrong.If the WEST has STRATIGiC interest in this region,they should be sensible enough to establish PEOPLE TO PEOPLE contacts and good will.
Where is Shaukat Aziz ? or has he done his bit ? and is no longer required.Wake up Mr Bush,talk to us the people.
Comment: The U.S. should not worry about the war on terror. The Islamists, secretly backed by Musharraf, have been routed in the NWFP region - the rpovince bordering Afghanistan - which will now be ruled by the secular ANP and Bhutto People's Party. The propaganda that the people of the region are for Islamist rule and have sympathy for the militants has been proved to be wrong. They have overwhelmingly rejected Musharraf's party as well as the right wing Islamists. The U.S. must dump Musharraf and start supporting the people of Pakistan. Any other policy is bound to antagonise this 160 million strong nation. We Pakistanis are very clear on what we want. We want Army, the U.S. and the militants OUT of our system. We see them all as part of the problem. Even Afghan jihad was a problem thrust upon us by the CIA. The soviet union would have collapsed anyway. the CIA did not have to support drug traffcking by the mujahideens to fight that war. It was the drug culture that destroyed Afghanistan's political system and made it a breeding ground for terrorists. The answer is simple. idiots like Bush and ill-informed pundits like Zakaria should keep out of Pakistan and let its people manage their problems
Comment: what made you think that Islamist are not backed by the same politican that win this election? Nawaz sharief is the regular visitor of annual gathering of Islamist in Raiwand.
Comment: You have to take a primer in Pakistani politics to know that only the military backs the miltants and islamic extremists. The PPP which emerged as the largest party is a secular force and the fact that the second largest party's leader offers prayers at a gathering is just a PR event.
Comment: Ever since the election in Pakistan, the American diplomats in Pakistan have been meeting Pakistani politicians on a daily basis. They hope to cajole the politicians into a working relationship with their frontman in Pakistan, Musharraf. People in Pakistan follow this and it does not win America any friends in Pakistan as it is seen a direct interference in Pakistan's affairs. I sincerely beleive that the Americans should put their faith in the will of the Pakistani people and let Musharraf go. He has made extremism worse in Pakistan, not better and the sooner America realizes this, the better for everyone.
Comment: I apologize for the U.S. Administrations meddling. I wish we would solve our own problems with democracy. I was upset at Bhutto's murder, but then, I get upset at murder. I hope for you a day of peace. Hope for me as well. Most of those diplomats are simply doing the bidding of their oil corporation masters.
Comment: The U.S. Ambassador is blatantly interfering in Pakistan???s internal affairs and trying to influence the formation of a new government in Islamabad.
The New York Times (Feb. 22) reports, ??? as the negotiations proceeded between Mr. Sharif and Mr. Zardari in the last two days, political circles here were awash with talk that Washington was interfering, trying to micromanage a process in which the Bush administration has much at stake. The impression that the United States was meddling was fortified Wednesday when Mr. Zardari was summoned to the American Embassy for a meeting with the ambassador, Anne W. Patterson. Afterward, Mr. Zardari was portrayed as a creature of the Americans who wanted him to work with Mr. Musharraf, a negative perception for a politician in a country where recent polls show the United States has a favorable rating of just 16 percent.???
This seems like a crude attempt by way of a ???careful leak??? apparently made through the U.S. diplomatic channels to belittle Mr. Zardari and defame him since he has apparently refused to play ball with the Americans and has opted to work with the PML(N) whereas the Bush administration officials want him to work with Musharraf and his allies in the PML(Q) - a group called as political orphans by late Benazir Bhutto.
The Americans and particularly its Ambassador in Pakistan should know that the people of Pakistan have voted the Pakistan People???s Party -headed by Mr. Zaradari - as the largest political party and he therefore should be treated with due respect and courtesy. But more importantly, it is high time that the junior level American diplomats should stop trying to micro manage Pakistan. Another U.S. diplomat - its Consul General in Lahore - met Aitzaz Ahsan and tried to persuade him to that the PPP should work with Musharraf as President.
The level of interference by the U.S. diplomats in Pakistan has crossed all limits of diplomatic norms and the tolerance of Pakistani people. It is about time that the people demand that the U.S. Ambassador Anne Peterson immediately leave Pakistan.
Comment: No one in Pakistan believes elections to be a simple solution to Pakistan's problems (including terrorism) but as a first step. But most policy makers and media men in the U.S. believed Musharraf to be part of the solution... wrong! Nay, stupid! Military can never be part of the solution because it does not the creditability, it is seen as a proxy for the U.S. and its track record in fighting internal insurgencies is distastrous. Mr. Fareed Zakaria should remember Britain, a democracy, that successfully fought the Irish terrorists.
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