USA must back the General
In politics more harm is done by well intentioned do gooders than the cynical, power plays of the manipulative demagogue. Pakistan is now caught is the crosshairs of rising Islamic Terrorism and domestic instability engendered by the upsurge of democratic forces. USA in its policy of using Pakistan to fight insurgency in Afghanistan is tryint to run with the hare and hunt with the hound: as ususal US policy will only work against the long term goals USA has set for itself in the region. Now is the time for USA to deliver on her promises to the General. Instead the US policy in the region seems to broker a power sharing agreement with Benazir Bhutto, ther leader of the Pakistan Peoples" Party.
Political stability in Pakistan is absolutely vital to American interests in the region and the kind of support the General has delivered to the US cannot be sustained by a so caleed Democratic regime in the country which will be forced to draw back mits support to the US war on terror as it is politicall damaging. The General showed exemplary courage in sending the troops to raisd the Red Mosque in Islamabad and in the ensuing violence nearly 200 militants were killed. Almost everywhere tere are sighns of Islamic Fundamentalism orgasnising itself to take on the regiome and once Musharraf falls it will be just a matter of time before the whole of Afghanistan falls to the Taliban and this rime the Al Qaeda will be securely entrenched in the country.
If the USA wants stbility in the region it must give up the policy of riding two horses and extend full support to the General in his internal struggle in the same manner in which he has extended full and unqualified support to the US Adminsistration in its war in the region. The signs of burgeoning democracy in Pakistan are all illusory. The return of the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhhammad Choudary to Office does not mean that rule of Law exists in Pakistan; it only means that the General has become so weak that the courts are ready to attack, something unheard in the 60 years of Pakistan's history.
The return of the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan was badly handled by the General and his US handlers advised the General to deport the former PM. The deportation of Nawaz Shefif has weakened the democratic forces because now Benazir Bhutto cannot be seen at least publically endorsing the stand of the military governemnt. It would have been better had Nawaz Sherrif been allowed to participate in the elections and use the judiciary to diasqualify him on the ground of his prior conviction for fraud and corruption. By deporting the former PM, the general has shown desparation and it is dangerous to show despair at this juncture.
Can Benazir Bhutto succeed? Even if she makes a good showing in the election, the power sharing agrreemnet with the General will ensure that political instbility will continue. Islamic Fundamentalism has found a secure haven inm Pakistan and will stay that way until the US back the General fully and without reservation."