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Musharraf in Europe |
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If Bush can visit the Middle East, why can’t his buddy Musharraf take a trip to Europe?
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has begun an eight-day visit to Europe, with democracy and tackling terror on the agenda as he meets EU leaders. Beginning in Brussels, the visit will take him on to the UK, France and the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
The tour is President Musharraf’s first trip abroad since his controversial re-election and the murder of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. He aims to clear “misperceptions” of recent events in Pakistan, he said.
As a matter of fact, I guess I still have some “misperceptions” about Musharraf’s antidemocratic behavior. I wonder whether more “misperceptions” will crop up after February’s elections, slated for less than a month from now. But maybe Musharraf can reassure his, and our, European friends before that time.
Musharraf is a little crazy to leave the country right now. What with constant unrest and violence, and an army commander who seems to be drifting away from his boss, you would think matters in Pakistan would leave little time for public relations tours.
Military dictators shouldn’t take their eye off the ball. Hearing about Musharraf’s trip, I can’t help but think of the story of Jafar Nimeiri, the Sudanese dictator who, while visiting the US in 1985, was surprised to learn that his trusted military had mounted a coup while he was away. I doubt that will happen to Musharraf, but still…Musharraf must recognize the potential risks for chaos in his absence.
So he must have some compelling things to say to Europe. I wonder if it goes something along the lines of, “I’m the only one who can keep this country together, so look the other way when I steal the elections and crack down on the opposition again.”
I’m sure he’ll dress it up a little more nicely when he meets with Condi, though. Wouldn’t want any hiccups in that flow of aid, would he?
UPDATE: The EU’s Javier Solana takes a tough line, threatening consequences if irregularities tarnish next month’s elections.
