Despite warnings, Bush officials couldn't stop Musharraf

[rodeodance]

Source: McClatchy

Despite warnings, Bush officials couldn't stop Musharraf

By Renee Schoof and Warren P. Strobel, McClatchy Newspapers Sat Nov 3, 6:48 PM ET

WASHINGTON — The imposition of emergency rule on Saturday in nuclear-armed Pakistan underscores how little influence the Bush administration has on events in a country that has become the bulwark in the U.S. fight against terrorism.

U.S. officials moved quickly to denounce the order by Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf , which suspended the constitution and shut down non-government news media. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the U.S. government was "deeply disturbed" by the move, which the White House called "very disappointing."

Washington's lack of influence, however, was palpable. On Friday, both Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , in Turkey for talks on Iraq , and Adm. William J. Fallon , the commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East , had warned Musharraf not to impose emergency rule. But Musharraf didn't even wait for Fallon, who was in Pakistan , to leave the country before making his declaration.

Foreign policy experts said there were few steps the administration could take to pressure Musharraf to change course.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclatchy/20071103/wl_mcclatchy/20071103bcbcuspakistan_attn_national_foreign_editors_ytop;_ylt=AlG5BOY7XGBayacJIghrHrWs0NUE

[tekisui]

1. Our greatest Middle East ally in the waronterra?--nt

[saigon68]

13. Another Thug Military dictator the amerikan tax-payer supports

He and his pals are sending millions to Switzerland as I type.


I saw children eating out of garbage cans on ABC news this am

[LadyAziz]

15. Pakistan

is Middle East country? :silly:

I always thought it was South Asian.

[babylonsister]

2. Rec'd. What happened with that coalition? What's NOT falling apart? nt

[rodeodance]

3. Biden , D-Del., called for the administration to drop its unquestioning support for Musharraf

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Joseph R. Biden , D-Del., called for the administration to drop its unquestioning support for Musharraf and change the U.S. approach to Pakistan . "We have to build a new relationship with the Pakistani people, with more non-military aid, sustained over a long period of time, so that the moderate majority in Pakistan has a chance to succeed," Biden said in a statement.

Chamberlain lamented Musharraf's actions, saying they undercut steps he had taken, until recently, to strengthen the judiciary and allow a freer press.

Pakistan has become the base for a rejuvenated al Qaida, and the U.S. has staked much of its battle against the terrorist group on Musharraf.

Pakistani forces recently have clashed with Islamic militants in the country's North-West Frontier Province, a mountainous area of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan . Militants in Pakistan also set off deadly suicide bomb attacks against military and police installations in major cities. A suicide bomb killed at least seven people on Tuesday about a mile from Musharraf's office in Rawalpindi.

The instability might have prompted the army to urge Musharraf to declare the state of emergency, but it's also likely that his political allies also were worried about their own jobs after the return of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto last month, Cohen, the Brookings expert, said.

[Renew Deal]

5. So, do we have to do the dirty work in Pakistan? And what about overfilghts?

Will we still have overflights to Afghanistan, because we're sure as shit not flying over Iran? This is bad news all around. It's worse than Turkey bombing northern Iraq.

[Renew Deal]

4. Our Democratic candidates were correct about this one

while the republicans bury their head in the sand.

[earthlover]

22. I believe Biden spoke about Pakistan in this week's debate....

Just one more day at work for an experienced presidential candidate knowledgeable about foreign policy

[rodeodance]

6. "U.S. officials appeared taken aback by Musharraf's move":

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/03/AR2007110301282_pf.html

As Crisis Deepens, White House Endures Diminished Power to Influence Events

By Glenn Kessler
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, November 4, 2007; A01

In August, a 2 a.m. phone call from Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice helped pull Gen. Pervez Musharraf from the brink of declaring a state of emergency in Pakistan. Two days ago, Rice made a similar plea. This time, the Pakistani president was not swayed.

Musharraf's decision to suspend his nation's constitution and declare emergency rule yesterday poses a sharp setback for U.S. efforts to push Pakistan toward democracy, and it calls into question President Bush's unstinting support for Musharraf despite the general's growing unpopularity and inability to counter hard-line militants, analysts said.

The United States now finds itself with few good options and dwindling power to influence events in the nuclear-armed state, particularly because experts believe Musharraf's actions may have ensured his demise as a national leader. The Bush administration has given Pakistan $10 billion in aid since 2001 -- much of it military assistance -- and U.S. officials had warned that Congress may balk at continuing aid if emergency powers were invoked. But some analysts cautioned that if the United States is perceived as withdrawing support for Musharraf, it may increase the risk of a civil war and the shattering of Pakistan.

Rice, who called Musharraf on Friday and warned him against taking this step, said yesterday that Musharraf's actions are "highly regrettable," telling reporters traveling with her that "the United States has made clear it does not support extra-constitutional measures, because those measures would take Pakistan away from the path of democracy and civilian rule."

U.S. officials appeared taken aback by Musharraf's move but quickly shifted yesterday from expressions of dismay to resignation, insisting that any "extra-constitutional measures" be brief. There was no suggestion of immediate cuts in aid, and Rice indicated that she had told Musharraf that, even if he imposed emergency rule, he nonetheless should move quickly to elections.

[rodeodance]

7. 'it calls into question President Bush's unstinting support for Musharraf despite'

Musharraf's decision to suspend his nation's constitution and declare emergency rule yesterday poses a sharp setback for U.S. efforts to push Pakistan toward democracy, and it calls into question President Bush's unstinting support for Musharraf despite the general's growing unpopularity and inability to counter hard-line militants, analysts said.

[rodeodance]

8. 'a body blow to the administration's efforts to arrange a shotgun marriage between Musharraf and Bhu

"The coup in Pakistan is a body blow to the administration's efforts to arrange a shotgun marriage between Musharraf and Bhutto that would have given the appearance of a broadening of Pakistani politics," said Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst and National Security Council staff member now at the Brookings Institution's Saban Center. "Instead of a more democratic Pakistan, we will have a more authoritarian Pakistan. Instead of a more stable Pakistan fighting al-Qaeda, we will have a military regime fighting for its survival."

A number of Pakistan experts said the situation is too fluid for predictions. "I don't know what's going to happen," Cohen said. "I don't think any Pakistan expert knows what will happen even tomorrow."

Rice was in Istanbul, Turkey, attending an international conference on Iraq when her attention was shifted to the upheaval in Pakistan. One adviser traveling with Rice saw a silver lining in the rapid turn of events. "Thank heavens for small favors," the official said. Compared to Pakistan, "Iraq looks pretty good."

[DCKit]

23. Goes to show just what a complete lack of credibility gets you: Bupkiss. nt

[Purveyor]

9. I understand that we 'might' know where some of Pakistan's nuclears weapons are positioned but

we don't know of all locations...

We are not playing 'footsie' here folks, when it come to a nuclear power...Pakistan.

Of course they have nothing to deliver such a weapon on the US but I've read reports that israel is within their striking distance.

[D23MIURG23]

10. I'd prefer to see Musharraf keep power in Pakistan by any means necessary

than have some sort of taliban movement come to power. I think Bush and Co. are crazy for wanting democracy there. When the Palistinians got democracy they elected hamas. If something similar happens in Pakistan then we have radical muslims with nuclear weapons within striking distace of India and Isreal. That's a real nightmare scenario.

[atreides1]

11. That's what Democracy is all about

Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't!

As for some sort of Taliban movement coming to power, I don't believe that it'll be that easy, mainly because many Pakistanis while Muslim, do not want another totalitarian regime like they have with Musharraf.

Besides, do you really think that the Chinese, Indians, or the Russians will actually allow fanatics with access to existing nuclear weapons to take control of a government right at their door steps. And the last I heard Pakistan and China were allies, and I'm sure if things start to get antsy Musharaff will not hesitate to ask for any assistance that he can get.

As for democracy it does work, the US is a good example of that. Hopefully, we can keep it working!

[D23MIURG23]

21. Good point about Russia, China, and India, but stopping it might not be straightforward either.

Direct millitary action would be likely to yeild another Iraq, and Im skeptical of the utility of diplomacy with the government Pakistan might elect. Its also possible that I have an unfairly negative portrait of the public will in Pakistan. I do know that the Taliban is gaining strength again in Afghanistan, and these sorts of movements seem relatively popular in that region.

[tanyev]

12. Is there anywhere the Bush administration does have influence?

Heckuva job, Georgie.

[Doctor_J]

18. Yes - in the American media

beyond that, no.

[ThePowerofWill]

14. I don't think they wanted it stopped.

Musharraf holding on to power is in this administrations best interest. Musharraf tends to do our bidding, why risk having some one else in power who won't?

[RDANGELO]

16. We should stay out of it.

Getting involved will only excite the Islamic radicals more. This is the number one reason we should never have invaded Iraq.

[midlife_mo_Jo]

19. I agree.

We're so hated we fuel the flames whereever we go. :(

[elehhhhna]

17. " the bulwark in the U.S. fight against terrorism." LOL My A$$.

The guys that shelter Osama and AQ Khan, etc.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

20. Now Georgie Boy knows how we feel about HIS dictatorship.

It's a wee bit upsetting, ain't it!