Pakistan

[sailaway21]

I am strongly in favor of democracy as a form of government. I am not in favor of it though at the expense of freedom and liberty. I think that the past example of Chile is instructive in that regard. Economic freedom and liberty were assured first under a dictatorship which, in essense, term-limited itself by allowing capitalism and freedom to flourish. Radical elements solution to governance became irrelevant when the overall prosperity of the average citizen made their allure pale in comparison to tangible results.

Which brings us to Pakistan. For fifty years we've witnessed the rough and tumble of Pakistani politics and relations with India. Elections have merely served to determine which crook would have the greatest access to patronage and corruption. The telegenic Miss Bhutto's father was the unargued master of the art. Miss Bhuto's past efforts have been no less successful but unsustainable.

It strikes me how similar some of Pakistan's problems are to those of Afghanistan, in terms of political leadership. But then Afghanistan does not have nearly the economy of Pakistan and does not possess the bomb either.

I am gravely disconcerted that some in Washington, Republican and Democrat alike, seem to feel that they know what is required on the ground in Pakistan. I believe that they are mistaking what are the US' legitimate strategic interests with how those interests are best served by the Pakistani government. The old metaphor may apply: I enjoy eating sausage, but that does not imply a desire to witness the process of it's making. We are getting, in essense, what we need from Pakistan. It is difficult to see how taking public opinions on the governance of that country will aid any further in getting more of what we need. Pakistan was hardly the seat of tranquility prior to the war on terror and Islamism. The fact that we have a government there that is generally of aid to us in the prosecution of that war should not be under-estimated or taken for granted. Things within Pakistan can get worse, much worse.

I think it behooves us to tread very softly in the matter of Pakistani governance. We've swallowed much worse in pursuit of the greater goal in the past, with other allies. I'm not at all sure now is the time to go on a regimented diet.

More on the topic, better stated, below.
http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=12290
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/pa...9566-one-world

[Sailormon6]

Originally Posted by sailaway21

We are getting, in essense, what we need from Pakistan. It is difficult to see how taking public opinions on the governance of that country will aid any further in getting more of what we need.

We aren't getting what we need from Pakistan. Our best information is that the leaders of Al Quaeda are hiding in Pakistan. What we need from Pakistan is permission to send our troops into Pakistan to get them, and put an end to Al Quaeda, and Musharraf has thus far denied his permission. I believe President Bush, by now, knows the limits of Musharraf's cooperation, and I also believe that he would not change horses unless he has a clear understanding with Ms. Bhutto with regard to what he expects of her.