Jan
Pervez Musharraf: Mr. Busharraf?
Embattled Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf is visiting Europe and is trying to do some damage control to his shifty image following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, his biggest rival. Bhutto was always a thorn in Musharraf’s side. The investigation of her death is incomplete, and the current Pakistani government is providing little insight into the case, even though there are serious doubts about their version of what happened.
Musharraf is not wildly popular in Pakistan. His authoritarian tendencies have led him to oust judges and lawyers who have disagreed with him in the past, and I’ve heard some Pakistanis refer to him as “Busharraf” for his close relationship with American president George W. Bush, who has referred to him as his “buddy”.
Musharraf, who took power in a military coup nearly a decade ago, assured Europeans that elections scheduled to be held soon will be fair.
Regarding his aspirations for democracy, Musharraf said, “We are for democracy and I have introduced the essence of democracy, but we cannot be as forward looking as you (in the West) are.”
Democracy with a disclaimer.
