Letters to the Editor: Bush's Policy on Pakistan @ Los Angeles Times

January 16th 2005


http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/letters/la-le-general15jan15,1,17576.story?coll=la-news-comment-letters
Bush's Policy on Pakistan @
Los Angeles Times
January 15, 2005

Re "Just Another General," editorial, Jan. 9: It is about time that a
newspaper has finally taken a stand against Pakistani President Pervez
Musharraf's illegitimate regime.

A man who has come to power through a military coup and then
spuriously justified his presidency by rigging two elections is no
friend of democracy.

I find it ironic that Washington invades countries and spends billions
of dollars just to "spread democracy," yet overlooks Pakistan's
dictatorship. I agree 100% with your profound statement that "the best
thing for Pakistan now would be for him to let the [Pakistan People's
Party] leader, Benazir Bhutto, back into the country."

Democracy is at a halt in Pakistan, and for Pakistan, South Asia and
the world to move forward, it must take the step toward restoring
democracy.

Shafqat Tanweer

Co-Chairman, Pakistan
League of America
Washington
*

In your editorial, you point out that Musharraf has taken billions in
American aid and there is very little progress to show for it.

Pakistani madrasas continue to teach hatred of non-Muslims. Abdul
Qadeer Khan remains free after spreading nuclear arms know-how to
Korea, Iran and Libya. Very little progress has been seen in
eliminating Al Qaeda leaders sheltered in Pakistani territory. And
Pakistan-supported terrorists continue to infiltrate and kill people
in the Indian state of Kashmir.

On the other hand, Joshua Muravchik, in his article "The Birth Pangs
of Arab Democracy" (Commentary, Jan. 9), expresses optimism about
progress of democracy in Arab countries because of American pressure.
Why is America exempting the Pakistani dictator from the same
pressure? Why is the American public quiet about the billions given
away to Pakistan?

Maneck N. Bhujwala
Huntington Beach
*

Your editorial is another indication of the failure of President
Bush's approach to foreign policy. It is clear to most that Pakistan
is not a friend to the U.S. and is, in fact, supporting insurgents,
threatening its neighbors and building a nuclear stockpile complete
with long-range missiles.

Bush, in his obsession with Iraq, paid $3 billion of taxpayers' money
to Musharraf to look the other way while he proceeded with his Iraq
agenda.

Musharraf is a military dictator of the worst kind. This is a shameful
example of bad foreign policy.

Martin Harrington
Thousand Oaks