Congress: Pakistani elections must go forward

[babylonsister]

Congress: Pakistani elections must go forward

by Matthew Hay Brown, updated


Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle say the murder of Benazir Bhutto must not slow Pakistan’s progress toward democracy.

“The assassination today of former Prime Minister Bhutto is not only a tragedy for her family, loved ones and millions of supporters, but also a severe blow to real democratic reform in Pakistan,” House Democratic Leader Steny H. Hoyer said in a statement today. “Madam Bhutto was committed to democratic principles and it is imperative that the cause she championed continue to move forward.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Bhutto’s bravery “stands in stark contrast to the cowardice of those who remain committed only to chaos, murder and thwarting democracy in Pakistan. It is our expectation that President Musharraf and the Pakistani people will go forward with free and fair elections.”

House Republican Leader John Boehner called the attack “yet another reminder that we must remain vigilant in standing against the enemies of freedom in Pakistan and around the world to ensure that their efforts to thwart democracy will once again fail.”

“Pakistan has been a vital ally of the United States,” Boehner said, “and a strong relationship with a stable, democratic Pakistan is important to our success in seeking out and defeating Islamic extremism in the Global War on Terror.”

more...

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2007/12/congress_pakistani_elections_m.html

[C_U_L8R]

1. There can't be fair elections

when a dictator controls them.

Mushie eventually has to go.

[SoCalDem]

2. Whoop-dee-doo.. I guess Pakistan will have to listen now, won't they?

The US needs to BUTT out of politics in other countries. We are not doing a great job here in our own country.. :grr:

The only thing that would "save" Pakistan and pacify it, would be to remove all males aged 15-60, educate the women and let them run the place for a few decades :evilgrin:

[_testify_]

3. Question...

How can the elections go forward when the opposition candidate is dead?

[TwilightGardener]

8. One is dead, the other apparently will boycott the election--but the mighty

United States has spoken!

[killbotfactory]

9. "Let Freedom Reign!"

[TwilightGardener]

11. We always know best! Besides, isn't there a danger that without

a non-extremist option, the Pakistanis might just decide to elect an extremist (you know, someone who will stand up to the U.S.) even worse than Mushie the Dictator?

[Inuca]

10. Well...

they are supposed to be parliamentary elections, with the head of the winning party becoming prime minister. That's at least my understanding. But with Bhutto assassinated and Sharif and his party saying they will not participate, it's ridiculous to ask for elections now. Our "leaders" would better think before they talk.

[old guy]

13. They don't think about what they say,

they just throw out a talking point, wave the flag and move on to the next talking point. It doesn't have to make any sense. If they start making sense, the 20%ers won't understand it.

[malaise]

4. What election?

One main opposition party is crippled with this execution and the other says it will not participate.
Mushie is a de facto one party country.

Anyone watching the hosing down of the crime scene by Mushie's forces. I've never seen any crime scene evaporate so quickly. Meanwhile Bushie is telling Mushie to investigate - Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

[spinbaby]

7. Are they seriously hosing down the crime scene?

Really?

[malaise]

12. Yep with firetruck hoses

I'll try and find pix.

[killbotfactory]

5. Sure

While the "anti-terrorist" forces crack down on anyone who opposes Perez, and in the name of stability.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. They need to be postponed so the opposition can coalesce.