Holbrooke dismisses chances of Musharraf comeback

[Aeon]

Holbrooke dismisses chances of Musharraf comeback | Pakistan | DAWN.com
Wednesday 17th November 2010

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has very little chance of regaining power in 2013 elections and any return to military rule would be a disaster, a senior US official said on Wednesday.

“He has about as much chance of coming back to power as (former Soviet) President (Mikhail) Gorbachev,” Richard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told a gathering of US diplomats and security experts.

Musharraf, who came to power in 1999 in a bloodless military coup, announced last month in London he had created a new party, the All Pakistan Muslim League, with an eye to competing in the 2013 polls.

Musharraf, who has lived in self-imposed exile since he stepped down under threat of impeachment in 2008, has said he believes he has “an even chance” of regaining power.

Holbrooke said Musharraf’s comments should be taken with “considerable skepticism” and that the former Pakistani ruler was responsible in large part for the current struggle against extremism in the region.

“Had he fulfilled his promises to President Bush to restore democracy, close down the extreme madrassas and do the right thing in the tribal areas, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today. He didn’t keep his word,” Holbrooke said.

Musharraf has apologized for “wrong decisions” made as president. And while he has stopped short of calling for another military takeover, he has indicated he understood why some Pakistanis considered it an option.

Holbrooke said any return to military rule would be a disaster for Pakistan, where the United States is seeking to buttress a weak civilian government that is crucial to its war against Taliban extremists in neighboring Afghanistan.

“Let us not be nostalgic for military rule … It would be a very big setback. You would have massive disruptions in the political system when stability is what you need,” he said.

“Musharraf comes back and wins a democratic election? Fine. But as I indicated earlier, the chances of that are very slim.”

 

[Karachiite]

Who does Holbrooke think he is? Musharraf coming back to Power is disastrous for America cuz Musharraf isn't a beggar or a dog.

 

[r3alist]

“Musharraf comes back and wins a democratic election? Fine. But as I indicated earlier, the chances of that are very slim.”

how is it that he thinks he is sooo on the pulse of what the pakistani population are thinking?

or more likely he knows something we do not!!!!!!

 

[somebozo]

wow..hole-broke thinks he is running Pakistani politics??
or is it true that PK bureaucrats are hand picked and appointed by USA??
After all that's what democracy means...a puppet gov run remotely by white house!

 

[VCheng]

Mr. Holbrooke speaks sense, for just this once may be.

 

[muse]

Had he fulfilled his promises to President Bush to restore democracy, close down the extreme madrassas and do the right thing in the tribal areas, we wouldn’t be in the situation we are today. He didn’t keep his word,” Holbrooke said.

Always it's American interests that must be in the forefront, even as Pakistan state policy - it's just ridiculous - but it goes to demonstrating the kind of thinking that informs (disinforms) US policy makers.

Presumably the so called "democratic" government will have promised to do what Musharraf, according to Holbrooke did not do - right? So have the present government been able to do that??? Is that unfair to ask??

And just exactly who is responsible for this situation?? the Policies have been US, the monies are US, the excution of the policies has been US and yet the responsibility for their failure is on Pakistan - and had those policies been successful, do you for a second think the responsibility would have been Pakistan's??

Poor US, all this failure and yet in a so called "democratic" country with accountability, which US policy or policy makers have been held accountable??

 

[VCheng]

Always it's American interests that must be in the forefront, even as Pakistan state policy - it's just ridiculous - but it goes to demonstrating the kind of thinking that informs (disinforms) US policy makers.

Presumably the so called "democratic" government will have promised to do what Musharraf, according to Holbrooke did not do - right? So have the present government been able to do that??? Is that unfair to ask??

And just exactly who is responsible for this situation?? the Policies have been US, the monies are US, the excution of the policies has been US and yet the responsibility for their failure is on Pakistan - and had those policies been successful, do you for a second think the responsibility would have been Pakistan's??

Poor US, all this failure and yet in a so called "democratic" country with accountability, which US policy or policy makers have been held accountable??

Just another example of the first among "equals" exercising its weight in international politcs, that's all!

Surely the expectation of "fair play" in this scenario is a naive expectation.

 

[building7]

Who does Holbrooke think he is? Musharraf coming back to Power is disastrous for America cuz Musharraf isn't a beggar or a dog.

holbrooke understands his nwo mush hasnt got chance at moment they gonna juice ppp for all its worth .

 

[BATMAN]

Mr. Holbrooke speaks sense, for just this once may be.

Does he never spoke sense, beyond this instance.

 

[BATMAN]

Musharraf have many rabbits under his hat and anti Pakistan forces are affraid of him.
It was similar people who organised crash of C130.

 

[muse]

Just another example of the first among "equals" exercising its weight in international politcs, that's all!

Surely the expectation of "fair play" in this scenario is a naive expectation.

Indeed, perhaps it's naive - but I would submit that it is a expectation that the Pakistani nation does hold and one it is not about to let go - However, naive or not misses the point, only the US is to blame for the failure of US policies.

Had US policy not been one of duplicity and was one in which the Pakistani state had assurance that it's interests would be supported and furthered, today, we would not be lamenting the failure of US policies.

 

[graphican]

I understand many people in PDF like to vote for Musharaf and they have their reasons. I have a question from his fans and want simple answer for that.

Were his following actions productive? We do not look at right or wrong but proved good for Pakistan or not.

1 - Musharaf's Afghan Policy.
2 - Musharaf's Kashmir Policy.
3 - Trickle Down effect and Credit Driven Economy.
4 - Underhand dealings with PPP and NRO.
5 - Juducial Operations.
6 - Handeling of Civil Society and Media.

Also - I want to know 5 milestones that Pakistan achieved during his era.

 

[ajtr]

Its for the people of pakistan who will decide if Musharaff will come back or not.how Holbrooke can dismiss that????

 

[building7]

muse you seem to be a big fn of mush ,has mush even said once 9 / 11 was an inside job it speaks volumes if he hasnt ?

 

[American Pakistani]

Musharraf will Inshallah be the next leader of Pakistan, therez huge support for him in Pakistan. His era was the best in each & every field Pakistan was booming. Hope he come back & won the election.