Today Richard Engel issued what might be construed as a "warning" about Benazir Bhutto. There are similar critics of Imran Khan, who was almost arrested by Musharraf recently. Also today, NPR interviewed him, and he had this to say:
Well I would love the US to play the role which it professes to play in the world, which is to back Democracy, rule of law. Unfortunately, George Bush's statement was extremely disheartening for all of us when he backed General Musharraf, despite him sending fourteen supreme court judges, putting them under house arrest, destroying the Constitution, imposing emergency. Now, is he standing for one man as opposed to the interests of 160 million people? George Bush should be standing with 160 million people which means that he should be standing with the Democratic process, going for free and fair elections, and telling Musharraf, that you've ruled this country for 48 years, this country is a mess, it's about to implode, it's time to give Democracy a chance.
We are not only propping up a banana republic, the complicit media in our nation has only begun greasing the wheels on the attack machine, because Musharraf is Bush's man.
People like Engel are shocked at the obvious--Imran and Bhutto are both human, and they have flaws--but miss one crucial point: unlike Musharraf they want the Democratic process to work, they want the Pakistani people to have the freedom to choose or reject them. Bhutto may have stifled dissent during her rule, but she didn't revoke elections and impose emergency rule on a whim. While I am not going to defend Bhutto against corruption charges, I am not going to disagree with her when she points out that Musharraf has gone too far, nor am I going to question Imran when he points out that we are propping up a banana republic.
Anyhow, I suggest you listen to the entire interview. I think Richard Engel and the rest of the traditional media's talking heads who question the Pakistani opposition would especially enjoy this response to a very pointed question from Michele Norris:
Michele, if I was looking for my own gain, and bear in mind mine is one of the youngest parties, it's only eleven years old, surely I should be aligned with a military general. Anyone who has ever come to power in Pakistan has joined the military establishment... Why would I want an independent judiciary and an independent election commission if I was looking out for myself?... If I was looking out for myself I should be with Musharraf, who offered me and he has given in his own interview he said that "if Imran had stayed with me he would have been my prime minister."... I would like to come only with the mandate of the people.
The past week has reminded me how much I appreciate the coverage NPR provides. The only thing keeping Democracy afloat right now in the world is the free press, which--while never perfect and often corporatized--will always find a way to help free people seek the truth.