The West is Dissapointed
In calling a spade a spade, Pervez Musharraf has just declared martial law in Pakistan. Musharaff, who rose to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has surprised many Westerners as being cooperative with the United States and Great Britain. Though there are many terrorists in his country who cross from the border of Afghanistan, he has certainly made bold moves in ridding his country of known terrorists. Enough that many Westerners give him the benefit of the doubt as to his intentions. And this includes many people who are not George W. Bush.
About a week from now, the Supreme Court was expected to unfavorably rule on the constitutionality of his reelection, which would allow Bhutto to reclaim her place of power. Under the guise of “emergency powers,” Musharraf surrounded the Supreme Court with paramilitary troops, enforced a curfew, and has arrested over five-hundred protesters. Needless to say, Musharraf will never have the influence he desired or even once had.
Musharraf’s actions leave me with very little optimism for that part of the world. There are so few good leaders. If you think about it, losing control of the military is a very scary thing for someone who once ran it, and was protecting you from people who want to kill you. Unfortunately, Musharraf is resorting to the same kind of fear which ruins every kind of society, in every part of the world, in all people. Sometimes, its revealed in martial law, sometimes its revealed in wire-tapping political opponents, sometimes its revealed in racism. A fearful society is without a chance.
Too bad the discussion moved to the second Pakistan post. Maybe because that one is a bit more controversial.
You are right that the West is dissapointed. Well, at least, the West has to appear to be dissapointed. I seriously doubt how dissapointed the West is that Musharraf is clinging to power. We like to think that we appreciate democracy, but we are also terrified of democracy in Pakistan, where there are nuclear weapons.