26 June 2003
President Musharraf Seeks Enlightened, Moderate Pakistan
(Cites democracy, economic development, and strong U.S. relations as top priorities.) (1120) By Lauren Brodsky Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- In his June 25 address to the U.S. Institute of Peace, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf outlined his goals for the future of Pakistan: a country at peace, strengthened by democracy, with economic development, and a strong friendship with the United States. According to President Musharraf, U.S.-Pakistani relations are on an upswing. "I believe our two countries, which have been friends for so long despite a number of ups and downs in the relationship, are on the point of moving towards a new level of friendship and cooperation," he said. The Pakistani president attributed this strengthened bond to his country's commitment to the international war on terrorism. "If Al Qaeda today is only a shadow of its past, it is because of our contribution," he said. Within his own borders, President Musharraf said he seeks to root out terrorism and extremism and create a new political landscape of "enlightened moderation" for Pakistan. "This vision is based on economic transformation through raising growth rates and educational levels, poverty reduction through a range of empowering strategies for women, minorities and vulnerable segments of society, and through foreign direct investment," he explained. He envisions "a working democracy, an economically thriving civil society, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights," he said. The status of world affairs and the sentiment that "the world has become a dangerous place to live in" has also shaped his vision. Expressing concern that most political disputes in the world involve Muslims, he outlined the damaging effects of this trend. "Muslims believe they are targeted and non-Muslims have started to see Islam as a religion of intolerance and terrorism," he said. However, "both are wrong." In order to heal this "schism," Musharraf argued that the Muslim world must fight extremism and "raise our own levels" of education and development. "This is the way Muslims can emancipate themselves," he argued. On the other hand, he urged the West to understand how many Muslims feel alienated by their perception of U.S. foreign policy. Many Muslims believe the U.S. only addresses "the symptoms of terror," he explained. Therefore, Musharraf called for a "resolution of political disputes led by the developed world" to ensure "despair and anger do not fester into extremism, violence and terror." "The Middle East road map and the recently concluded Aqaba Summit are in this respect a welcome ray of hope," he said. Musharraf also argued that the situation in Afghanistan must be improved by the west to secure peace and root out terrorism. Therefore, "the stability of the Karzai government must be supported," he said. Turning towards Pakistan's conflict with India, Musharraf noted positive steps in resolving the Kashmir dispute. "I have suggested a full peace process," he said. "I am extremely encouraged by [Indian] Prime Minister Vajpayee's recent statements and by the telephone talk between him and [Pakistani] Prime Minister Jamali," he said. "This has led to a number of measures to reduce tension and restore a measure of normalcy." Musharraf believes the road to peace with India is through a four-step process, beginning with "acknowledging the centrality of Jammu and Kashmir for India-Pakistan relations," followed by a concentration on a range of possible "win-win" outcomes that would be acceptable to both people and "particularly to the people of Jammu and Kashmir." The president said he now looks to India to take a historic step. "The onus of accommodation is always shown by the bigger country," he explained. While Pakistan remains committed to a peace process, Musharraf said he will only make concessions that preserve Pakistan's "honor and dignity." President Musharraf also commended the United States for its involvement in Indian-Pakistani relations, and its willingness to remain open to "the dialogue process at any mutually acceptable level." Beyond resolving the dispute with India, Musharraf explained that his primary goal for Pakistan is creating a "working democracy" that will support freedom and human rights. However, the president acknowledged challenges to democracy within his own borders. "There are anti-democratic forces waiting to take advantage of the democratic process to undo reforms and restructuring [that] my government has introduced during the last three years," he said. Therefore to secure his democratic initiatives, the president intends to "have an oversight role" to defend against anti-democratic factions. He sited the success of women in office as proof positive that both women and democracy can thrive in Pakistan. "The whole spectrum of political opinion in Pakistan is represented in parliament," he said. "We have almost 200 women members of parliament at the federal and provincial levels and thousands more at the local level." In order to gain power and involvement, Musharraf recommended that women form caucuses and support each other. Musharraf said he believes that his initiatives have won the support of the Pakistani people. When he took office in 1999, the economy was in a state of bankruptcy and Pakistan "stood at the brink of being declared a failed state," he explained. He believes his country is now on course for a "long journey" ahead. However, he argued that foreign assistance is still desperately needed. "We need substantial flows of foreign investment, management and technology to transform our economy," he said. Pakistan, he said, is seeking "a broad-based multi-year package of assistance." Musharraf also reached out to the Pakistani community in the U.S. and said it "has the potential to build bridges between the two countries." However, Musharraf expressed his concern that Pakistanis continue to be the target of suspicion within the U.S. since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. "Pakistan has cooperated with the U.S. in enforcing its laws," he said. "But Pakistanis who have been successful are compelled to leave the U.S. This is really heartbreaking." Musharraf said he feels this trend can change due to his relationship with President Bush. He described Bush as "an equally candid man and an equally sincere friend of Pakistan" who "sees this issue in a similar light." As part of his fourth visit to the United States, Musharraf said he "sought to consolidate and deepen the ties" between the U.S. and Pakistan, as well as to "reaffirm our cooperation in the war on terror." This commitment, he said, will foster a world "free of repression, dispossession and hopelessness," a vision not only for the world, but also for Pakistan. (The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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