Resolved, that the US cut off all aid to Pakistan if free and fair elections are not held in that country by Feb. 15, 2008.
Since President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan's emergence onto the global scene over two decades ago, his policies have prompted international concern and widespread condemnation of events within the country. Although he remains one of the War on Terror's most valuable allies, many of his policies, such as his recent declaration of martial law (which allows the nation's military to dominate normal government for an indefinite period of time, suspend civil liberties and authority and impose military authority) are disputed globally. For example, earlier this month, he suspended his country's constitution for the second time, fired one of his country's leading judges, and single-handedly ordered the deployment of troops to fight what he called rising “Islamic extremism.” In light of these controversial policies, should the United States continue to ally itself with Musharraf or denounce him and his policies altogether?
Pro Considerations:
“Most of Pakistan’s recent disorders and the suicide bombings by Islamic militants stem from Gen. Musharraf’s decision to align himself actively with the USA in the war against terrorism. Despite complaints heard from Americans every now and then that Pakistan is still being used by Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda as a terrorist sanctuary, the target of these complaints is not President Musharraf but those elements in the Pakistani armed forces arm and local government officials who simply cannot shed off their sympathies for their Islamic militant relatives and old comrades. Gen. Musharraf takes considerable risks fighting these elements as an ally of the USA. Now, Washington must publicly upbraid the Asian leader whom President Bush has called, as he did our own President Arroyo, one of his closest allies in fighting terrorism. For some years now, he has been beleaguered by opposition to his rule and rulings by his country’s lawyers, the Supreme Court itself and the moderate political parties as well as the hardline Islamists.”
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/nov/05/yehey/opinion/20071105opi1.html
“The Law Society, the Bar Council and the Association of Muslim Lawyers have today voiced their concerns about the treatment of lawyers in Pakistan." Andrew Holroyd, president of the Law Society, said: ‘Events in Pakistan must be of concern to everyone who supports the rule of law, and they underline once again that the rule of law is nothing without lawyers. I can think of no starker demonstration of this commitment to the law than the extraordinary courage, fortitude and bravery of the lawyers we see in Pakistan. They have rightly demonstrated against the government measures. The suspension of the Constitution, the denial of fundamental rights and repeated attacks on the judiciary removes any semblance of a just and civilised society. I have written to president Pervez Musharraf on behalf of the Law Society, to urge him to re-instate the Constitution, lift all restrictions on the judiciary, to release those lawyers held in detention and allow lawyers to exercise their freedom of expression and assembly.’
http://paklawyer.wordpress.com/2007/11/07/uk-lawyers-voice-concern/
“Opposition political parties have criticized President Pervez Musharaff's declaration of martial law in Pakistan. A spokesman for Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said the people of Pakistan will not accept what the government imposed on Saturday. Bhutto returned to Karachi yesterday after a short visit to her family in Dubai. United States and British officials earlier have expressed concerned over the security problems facing Pakistan but urged Musharraf to observe restraint and the democratic process.”
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009049158 Con Considerations:“The United States should not cut aid to Pakistan, even after President Pervez Musharraf's declaration of martial law, " said Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Monday. The former Massachusetts governor said Pakistan's support in Afghanistan is too important to cut billions of dollars in U.S. funding. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other top administration aides have called for a review of such aid, though it appears unlikely funding for the war on terrorism would be at risk. "The Pakistani military is working with us in key ways in Afghanistan and I would not end that effort," Romney said. "That's something critical to us." Musharraf announced this weekend he had suspended his country's constitution, ousted the country's top judge and deployed troops to fight what he called rising Islamic extremism. More than 1,500 people have been arrested as baton-wielding police attempt to squash protests against the Pakistani leader.”
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/05/america/NA-POL-US-Romney-Pakistan.php
“In an era superrich in nightmare scenarios, nothing disturbs the sleep of world leaders more than the prospect of chaos in Pakistan—and jihadists' gaining control over its nuclear weapons. Standing between order and that cataclysm, those leaders believe, is General Pervez Musharraf, the country's leader since 1999. On Sept. 12, 2001, Musharraf made a snap decision to side with the U.S. in the not-yet-named global war on terrorism, despite his country's longtime support for the Taliban. U.S.-Pakistani cooperation has since led to the arrest of al-Qaeda kingpins and a diminution of the threat from Osama bin Laden's group. Called "my buddy" by George W. Bush, Musharraf, 62, has paid a price for his decision, having been the target of multiple assassination attempts by the militants who infest his country. His ties with the U.S. enrage religious radicals, who are his most dangerous opponents... Musharraf remains the West's best bet in Pakistan.”
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187204,00.html
“Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has defended his decision to declare emergency rule, saying he could not allow the country to commit suicide. He said Pakistan was in a crisis caused by militant violence and a judiciary which had paralysed the government. The moves came as the Supreme Court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's October election victory. 'Kindly understand the criticality of the situation in Pakistan and around Pakistan. Pakistan is on the verge of destabilisation,' he said. In a lengthy televised speech late on Saturday, Mr Musharraf said the situation had forced him into making "some very painful decisions". 'Sovereignty is in danger unless timely action is taken," he said. He insisted his decisions were made for the benefit of Pakistan. ''Extremists are roaming around freely in the country, and they are not scared of law-enforcement agencies.'”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077310.stm
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