American & Pakistan's "Dictators"
>Bush in Pakistan
He skirted a question about sluggish democratic reform in Pakistan, where Musharraf has failed to hold promised elections. 'I believe democracy is Pakistan's future. We share a strong commitment to democracy,' he said. Musharraf said he had introduced 'the essence of democracy' through local elections, empowerment of women and minorities and a free press, but would only consider resigning as head of the army after elections due in 2007.
The dark side of Pakistani democracy was evident outside the palace gates, where anti-US rallies had been banned and hundreds arrested, including cricket legend Imran Khan. The opposition politician, who intended to lead a rally yesterday, was placed under house arrest as he left a dinner party late Friday night.
'I wanted to protest against the double standards of Bush,' Khan said by mobile phone from behind a line of police at his front gate. 'This is a military dictatorship with a democratic facade.'
He skirted a question about sluggish democratic reform in Pakistan, where Musharraf has failed to hold promised elections. 'I believe democracy is Pakistan's future. We share a strong commitment to democracy,' he said. Musharraf said he had introduced 'the essence of democracy' through local elections, empowerment of women and minorities and a free press, but would only consider resigning as head of the army after elections due in 2007.
The dark side of Pakistani democracy was evident outside the palace gates, where anti-US rallies had been banned and hundreds arrested, including cricket legend Imran Khan. The opposition politician, who intended to lead a rally yesterday, was placed under house arrest as he left a dinner party late Friday night.
'I wanted to protest against the double standards of Bush,' Khan said by mobile phone from behind a line of police at his front gate. 'This is a military dictatorship with a democratic facade.'
posted by blogexpressions at 7:35 PM
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