The United States has a bad image all over the world. If there is an accident or a tragedy anywhere in the world, it’s the United States that is blamed. When changes in the global weather patterns were reported few days back, it was the United States that was blamed for global warming. The entire world looks at the United States because it’s a big and a powerful country.
History is witness to the fact that whenever a people are unhappy and restless, it’s the rulers who get the blame. People in Pakistan are in varying moods these days. They are celebrating day in and day out. The entire nation is in festive mood and is taken over by election fever (Pakistan is to go polls in the next three months). Election fever is probably the only disease that has no cure. With this disease, even the patient does not want to go to the hospital or doctor or get medication. Amazingly, the patient wants the disease to grow and spread. Yet, still it’s the United States that’s blamed for Pakistan’s election fever.
Whether it’s the question of President Pervez Musharraf’s decision to keep the dual offices of President as well as the army chief, the military operation in Islamabad’s Red Mosque, the suspension of Supreme Court’s Chief Justice or Pakistan’s freedom of the press, it’s the name of the United States that reverberates behind all these good and bad developments in that country. Even the name of United States is dragged in the matter of so-called political power-sharing deal between President Pervez Musharraf and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
I had also thought that the United States was involved in the Musharraf-Benazir deal; however, a statement by State Department spokesman Sean McCormack cleared any of my doubts. Mr. McCormack said the United States desires a bright and prosperous future for Pakistan. The United States would be willing to work with whoever succeeds President Musharraf, he said, adding that Washington is not supporting any particular political party or leader in Pakistan. He said it does not concern America as to who is leading Pakistan because Islamabad remains America’s main ally in the war against terrorism.
I feel elated after having read this statement. One must accept the statement given by a responsible person. But former Pakistani Prime Minister Benzair Bhutto’s recent statements reminded me of a common perception in the United States: government spokesmen seldom take back their words. They always stick to their words. Yet Benazir Bhutto, during her recent visits to the United States, said that if she came into power in Pakistan, she would give the International Atomic Energy Agency officials access to Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for questioning [the disgraced nuclear scientist who has confessed to proliferation of nuclear technology]. I personally saw Benazir statements on television time and again as she made these statements. However, later she clarified that her statement was taken out of context – she has been widely condemned in Pakistan for her statement. I do understand that much of the criticism is based on political rivalry. A large number of Pakistanis are averse to her becoming the country’s prime minister for the third time.
Then we heard another statement from Ms. Bhutto saying she would allow the United States to kill Osama bin Laden if there was intelligence of his presence on Pakistani territory. (The Pakistani government has always stopped U.S. and allied forces from carrying out military operations inside Pakistan, saying it violates its sovereignty). I assume that Benzair has denied her second statement as well, though she has not issued any formal denial so far. I would also assume that the Americans tricked her into giving such a statement. At times, a criminal changes his statement in the court of law on the plea that his confessional statement was taken under duress. Statement based on truth is never changed. This issue should be considered over after Ms Bhutto’s denial.
Pakistani people are doubtful about the deal between Benzair Bhutto and President Pervez Musharraf. They think that this deal has also been finalized under American pressure. I doubt that it happened. Would you believe that Musharraf is a fearless leader who does not take dictation nor he takes others pressure? Similarly, would you believe that Benazir Bhutto is a kind of leader who has never compromised on principles? She has spent time in jail and her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, spent eight years behind the bars. Ms. Bhutto has made great sacrifices for democracy in Pakistan that are now bearing fruit!
Musharraf, on the other hand, has had a change of heart overnight! He agreed to share power with Ms. Bhutto on her terms! General Musharraf did not come to the United States this past September to attend the U.N. General Assembly meeting otherwise many in Pakistan would have believed that his visit under Washington’s pressure.
On its part, the United States has clarified that it has nothing to do with political dealings in Pakistan, telling Pakistan that the country and its resources are ours. Meanwhile, Washington is giving billions of dollars to Pakistan to ensure that Pakistani politicians don’t face a shortage of funds. It is keeping its forces in the neighboring Afghanistan, which hit the targets of its choosing inside Pakistani territory from time to time. As well, it has a jail at Guantanamo Bay. What else does it need from Pakistan?
We will have no problem if Benazir Bhutto comes into power, following in the footsteps of Mohammad Ali Bogra, Moeen Qureshi and Shaukat Aziz [Pakistan’s current and former prime ministers who were considered too close to the United States].
