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JANUARY 28, 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 3
The General's Tactic
In Beijing, Musharraf makes a few points
By AJAY SINGH
also:
Attiya Inayatullah, a prominent sociologist, politician and the first Muslim woman elected chairman of UNESCO's board of governors, on Pakistan
There was never any doubt that Gen. Pervez Musharraf would get anything but a warm reception in China. At the start of his two-day working visit on Jan. 17, Pakistan's military ruler was hailed as Beijing's first official guest of the new millennium. Musharraf was well prepared for the honor. Looking dapper in a rust-gray overcoat, Pakistan's chief executive described China as a "most reliable and trusted friend."
Musharraf was soliciting Beijing's support in an effort to outgrow the wide-spread diplomatic isolation he has suffered since seizing power in October. Soon after the bloodless coup, Beijing said it was "very concerned." During Musharraf's visit, the Chinese foreign office drastically toned down its position, saying "what happens in Pakistan is its internal affair."
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Musharraf's trip came at a time when Pakistan's relations with India are, by his own admission, "at their lowest" in recent years. The two nations fought bitterly in Kashmir last summer. Last month, New Delhi accused Islamabad of masterminding the Christmas-eve hijacking of an Indian airliner by militants linked to Kashmir's separatist struggle. Though Musharraf has denied any involvement whatsoever, India has been lobbying the U.S., unsuccessfully so far, to brand Pakistan a terrorist state.
Washington is eager to see an early return of democracy in Pakistan. A group of U.S. senators recently visited Islamabad to push for a timetable for elections. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Karl Inderfurth is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Jan. 20 to assess the political situation, including Pakistan's frosty relations with India. Musharraf has stressed that a thaw is impossible until New Delhi addresses "root cause" Kashmir.
There has been a pronounced pro-India tilt lately in Washington's South Asia policy - and this was yet another reason for Musharraf's China trip. President Bill Clinton is expected to visit India in March and probably won't stop in Pakistan unless Musharraf shows some sign of returning to the barracks. The general seems to be in no hurry to do that. If anything, the pat on the back he got from Beijing is likely to strengthen his resolve to stay in power.
With reporting by David Hsieh/Beijing
DEFENDING THE REGIME
Since Pakistan's Oct. 12 military coup, former PM Nawaz Sharif has been jailed and parliament suspended. But that does not mean the country is in political jeopardy or under martial law, according to Attiya Inayatullah, a prominent sociologist, politician and the first Muslim woman elected chairman of UNESCO's board of governors. One of seven members of Gen. Pervez Musharraf's ruling National Security Council, Attiya explained to Asiaweek editors in Hong Kong last month the Musharraf regime's priorities. Excerpts:
On democracy
We are constantly asked, give a timetable for the restoration of democracy. One must be practical and realize that there is no restoration of democracy in Pakistan. It is constructing democracy. Democracy does not mean voting once in five years. There is much more to it. It is the culture. It has been announced that within a year there will be local government elections. As to when there will be elections at the national level, the world will just have to wait.
On the economy
International investor confidence needs to be restituted, as does the confidence of the Pakistani overseas - their confidence was shattered by the previous government. One of the major problems in Pakistan has been the lack of political stability. We could have been a nation tiger a long while ago if we had proper leadership, people with no great egos, with no personal agendas, who just wanted the best for Pakistan.
On Kashmir
It is a nuclear flashpoint. There is a live-fire situation on the Line of Control, every day. It would be very easy for things to get out of control. Gen. Musharraf has announced a unilateral withdrawal of troops on the Line of Control. He has also said Pakistan is ready for talks. What else can we do? India must now reciprocate. And the world needs to pay attention.
On Musharraf
I did not know this general. What I have seen and felt of him, he is a realist, he is pragmatic.
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