NPR: Musharraf Deals Blow to Bush's Democracy Goals

Musharraf Deals Blow to Bush's Democracy Goals

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's decision during the weekend to suspend the country's constitution and postpone elections has created a new obstacle for President Bush's much-touted "freedom agenda" — his plan to promote democracy in the Middle East as a way to reduce the appeal of extremists and improve stability.

Bush mentioned Pakistan as a country that had taken steps toward a more sustainable democracy in June. But in reality, the democracy initiative has never played much of a role there, says George Perkovich, an expert on Pakistan at the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The priority of the U.S. relationship with Pakistan, Perkovich says, has been cooperation in the war on terror, not supporting democracy.

Perkovich says recent coups in Pakistan (and he includes what happened this weekend in that list) always work the same way: The military says that it has to step in and save the country from fundamentalists or terrorists, but the first people detained are lawyers and judges, the educated, human rights advocates and the media. "They never seem to go after the people whose behavior is being cited as the reason for the crackdown," Perkovich says.

The Swamp notes that it's difficult for the Bush administration to push Musharraf too hard on the need for democracy because of the role he plays in battling terrorists in the region. But Perkovich says there are still things that can be done to move the country toward democracy, such as working to find alternatives to using Pakistan as a base against the Taliban and calling what he sees as Musharraf's bluff that the U.S. needs the Pakistani leader more than he needs the U.S.

If Musharraf doesn't move toward free elections, then the United States could start to reduce aid, Perkovich says. "The key is to watch what happens in the next few weeks. If he goes after the violent extremist groups, then it will be easier to move towards free elections. But so far he's done the exact opposite."

White House officials are holding out hope that the state of emergency will end soon and Pakistan will get back on the road to democracy. "This is a slight detour," said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for Bush. "But I think they will get back on it. And we will strongly encourage them to do so."

2:46 PM ET | 11- 5-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I don't think giving the power (along with the nuclear capability) to a Bhutto would be such a good idea either. Education is the biggest hurdle for democracy in Pakistan. Richest people always become representatives of the poor. This is because for a person, who's supporting his family by cultivating a small piece of land owned by these rich elite, three meals a day and a roof are enough for living. There is no motivation to get any better.

Sent by hf | 4:21 PM ET | 11-05-2007

I agree with HF. Democracy has no quick fix solution. Pakistan and its leaders have to establish a road to real democracy. And the road is education. Where men and women all know their rights and their constitution and where they can find better options than the present lot. Todays Pakistan has limited options to replace Musharraf. We have corrupt leaders like Ms Bhutto, Zardari, Nawaz on one hand and divisive and uneducated leader like MR. Altaf. Mr khan is inexperienced. I hope the 10 billion dollars that were given to Pakistan army could have been spent to educate the 60% of Pakistani population. The reccent brief introduction of Democracy in eight years was painful when Ms bhutto returned, and 200 people lost their lives without knowing their rights and constitution. The 200 people were innocent Pakistanis who had nothing to do with ugly Feudal, corrupt politics of the subcontinent.

Sent by anser azim | 5:29 PM ET | 11-05-2007

Bush is no more an advocate for democracy than Putin in Russia is. Besides whoever wins a free and fair election most likely will not be a friend to the U.S. Was he a big fan when Hamas was elected in Palestine? How about Chavez in Ven. or maybe Aristeed in Haiti. This clown Bush is probably the biggest hypocrite on the face of the Earth.

Sent by ray | 6:03 PM ET | 11-05-2007

Thoughtful comments, Anser Azim. George Bush has always given lip service to democracy--he claims to be a advocate of democracy but manages to keep our troops occupying Iraq. We can't "save the world for democracy," as was said in the Sixties. Diplomacy has to be based on pragmaticism along with strong moral values, not a belief that our system is the very best. Democracy is impossible in Pakistan now. No one came into our country and gave it to us--we fought for it and theorized and revised it for many years.

Sent by julia ann evans | 7:41 AM ET | 11-06-2007

US has helped world to move towards democracy in many occations earlier. With America's interventions in Koreas, Vietnam, Afghanistan and strong commitment to democracy during cold war, world is in better shape today. It is not milatary intervention that is needed to keep or promote the democracy. A strong belief in democracy itself and moral promotion of it can help countries like Pakistan. What America should do now, is stand up to Musharaff and tell him that we promote democracy strongly and if Musharaff doesn't release all lawyers, Judges etc., on immediate basis and restore democratic institutions, then America will end all relationships. America should look for alternative plans to handle Afghanistan situation without help of Pakistan. What President Bush should understand is, this type of strong commitment will increase not only his stature but add value to American morals. The moment, Mush understands that America is not going to support his activities, he will roll back all these things. America may have to offer, Mush and his team asylym in some other country or in America. America has golden opportunity now to prove it stands for democracy at any cost.

Sent by murthy, India | 10:38 AM ET | 11-06-2007

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