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NEW JERSEY, JUN 16 - A constellation of senior US
officials are in Islamabad to meet the General, besides
senior government functionaries, opposition leaders and
civil society members.
Richard Boucher, the U.S. assistant
secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs
arrived in Islamabad Tuesday and has met government
officials including politicians from both sides of the
political divide and the Chief Elections Commissioner.
Mr Boucher was joined Friday by both Deputy Secretary of
State John Negroponte, who is next to Condi Rice in
position, and Adm. William Fallon, commander of the U.S.
Central Command (CENTCOM) - the outfit managing the campaign
in
Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa against Alqaeda, Taliban and
terrorism.
Negroponte, who is former US intelligence czar, plans to
hold talks with President Musharraf Saturday. Reports said
he will relay Washington's interest in having him remain at the helm,
but at the same time will prod him to reach an accommodation with his
opponents.
A Pakistani government official insisted the timing was a
coincidence and that all three visits were of a "routine
nature." The official asked for anonymity because she was
not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, reported
AP.
As if three was not enough, Retired Gen. John Abizaid,
former chief of U.S. Central Command, also arrived in
Islamabad Friday, Stratfor has reported citing a Pakistani
military official. Abizaid is also likely to meet with
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the official said.
The flurry of visits comes as senior US officials in
Washington said Friday that General
Musharraf must keep the coming elections fair, while
indicating US can accept his holding onto his dual
role as president and army chief, reported AP.
Richard Boucher, interviewed by several Pakistani television
channels Friday, echoed similar official line.
He told the TV channels that "it's time for Pakistan to move
back to democratic elections and civilian rule." But he
added "the issue of a free and fair election is much more
fundamental" than how Gen. Musharraf deals with the issue of
his occupying both the presidency and the powerful army
leadership."
He also alluded to US stance in seeing Gen Musharraf remain
in charge of the country's affairs and continue being the
army chief.
"That particular question needs
to be answered but I think we have a bit of patience in
seeing it answered at whatever is the appropriate time," Mr.
Boucher said, according to excerpts of the interviews
released by the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan.
Gen Musharraf has repeatedly said he would doff off the
uniform but at an "appropriate time". It seems both the US
and Musharraf know better what that appropriate time is or
would be.
Critics have been calling him to give up his military post
and seek another presidential term only after year-end
parliamentary elections in which opposition parties hope to
make gains. However, President Bush has made clear that
securing Pakistan's (read Pak military's) cooperation
against al Qaeda and the Taliban is a more pressing concern
for US interests than Pakistani nation's interests.
However, according to reports, the U.S. has become sensitive
now to Pakistani nation's reactions. It is looking to ensure
"continuity in policy without the continuity
of an individual, while at the same time, a democratic
process that can proceed."
While the US needs assurances from the military that there
will be continuity in policy, it wants to buy insurance by
facilitating the creation of a broad based understanding
between the moderates, liberals, the military and the
establishment albeit Turkish, Algerian models.
Musharraf's incumbency, his most recent failings and the
rumblings within the country as well as military
hierarchy's stealthy uneasiness have tipped the balance in favor of
the US seeking a quick business-like tactical adjustment in
its holistic war against terrorism and rise of Islamism.
Their call for free, fair and transparent elections
including return of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, is a
significant move. By siding with peoples sentiments, they
want to close the credibility gap.
In other words, the U.S. can wean
itself off of Musharraf without fear that the U.S.-Pakistani
alliance is at risk, and will likely have some kind of
election to point to, that blesses the result.
This is where Benazir pops up in the equation also.
Apparently having anticipated such developments, she has
laid low, maintaining an ambivalent silence for some time
now, and has in fact
come closer to the military establishment's future political
dispositions, with US
persuasion of course.
A BB-Musharraf-military-US arrangement appears very possible - it serves major players' purposes
and sends Islamists scurrying back into their foxholes, concurs one
Pakistani observer.
PS:
It's the Year of the Pig (Boar) too - as per Chinese Zodiac.
In Chinese culture, the boar or the pig is associated with
fertility and virility. To bear children in the year of the
pig or boar is considered to be very fortunate, for they
will be happy and honest. If polls are held this year it
will auger well for all.
Attributes of a pig or boar:
(from Wikipedia)
The Pig type is usually an honest, straightforward and
patient person. They are a modest, shy character who prefers
to work quietly behind the scenes. When others despair, they
are often there to offer support. This type of person is
reserved with those they do not know too well, but as time
passes and they gain confidence, those around them may
discover a lively and warm-hearted person behind that mask
of aloofness. Despite those born in the year of pig having a
wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few
close friends who understand them and share their inner
thoughts and feelings. It is easy to put trust in pig type;
they won't let you down and will never even attempt to do
so. Such people simply want to do everything right according
to social norms. It is important to remember that
these people are not vengeful creatures. If someone tries to
take advantage of them, the pig type tend to withdraw to
reflect on the problem and protect themselves. All they need
in such situations is a little time to find a constructive
way to respond. The people of the pig type are conservative
creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too
far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the
countryside. They love nature and are never happier than
when they are out somewhere, far from the city.
There is a tolerant and peaceful side to their
character. Such people are never afraid to allow others
their freedom of expression; they do not want to cause
arguments and if there is any way to avoid arguing, they
will probably take this option. They are not weak, however,
and if the situation forces them to fight these people will
rise to the occasion, whether it is to defend themselves or
those close to them.
Ruling hours: 9pm to 11pm
Season and Month: Autumn (November)
Gemstone: Topaz
Color: Dark Blue
Polarity: Yin
Roughly equivalent western sign: Scorpio
Also read:
 "Why
Bhutto and the Elites Hate Musharraf"
Gen.
Musharraf's Survival Plan
The
Meltdown and the Future Military Leadership
The
Elephant in the Room
Pakistan's
"Military Incorporated"
'Why
Most Moderate Pakistanis Now Dislike America'
Benazir
Flaps Her Wings and Beyond
Not
Again We Hope!
Avenging
Mullah Dadullah's Death
Has
the Countdown Begun?
Benazir
Bhutto - stuck between the two
The
Big Picture and its Pixels
Benazir-Musharraf
pact a done deal!
US
lawmakers favor return of Pakistan's exiled leaders
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