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Musharraf on Fixing Pakistan
Linda A. Cicero, Stanford News / AP Photo
The former president tells The Daily Beast's Michael Smerconish that he supports an Afghan surge, is ready to make deals to defeat the Taliban—and won’t rule out another run for political office.
On Wednesday, I handed Pervez Musharraf a recently-posted story from the website of The New York Times. “Deadly blast in Pakistan casts shadow over Clinton’s visit,” read the headline. The corresponding report detailed how a car bomb detonated in the city of Peshawar (coinciding with a visit by the American secretary of State), reportedly killing at least 100 people.
“So sad,” the former president of Pakistan muttered under his breath as he solemnly read the news from home.
Musharraf told me Wednesday’s attack in Peshawar was not just an effort by the extremists to send a message. It was also a “desperate reaction” to the Pakistani military’s heightened efforts to eradicate the militants—members of slain Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud’s operation, he noted—camped out in South Waziristan.
“We need to go for deals—deals with the Pashtun, the elements in that tribal area so that we wean them away from the Taliban supporters there. We need to go for deals, that is the political strategy in Pakistan,” Musharraf said.
I asked President Musharraf what he thought President Obama should do relative to troop levels and strategy in Afghanistan. He acknowledged the “difficult decision” Obama faces. “But one has to evaluate all pros and cons,” he continued. “In the overall context, what do we want to achieve? I would like to start from that. We want to eliminate al Qaeda. We want to militarily dominate Taliban. And then we want to install a government which has credibility, which has acceptability to the people of Afghanistan. Now to do that, we need military strength first of all. We need to be speaking from a position of military strength.”
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Musharraf said drawing a difference between counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency is “not very logical.” He was distinguishing between al Qaeda and the Taliban.
“Certainly they have a nexus. And even if we eliminate al Qaeda, we should not think that by allowing the Taliban a resurgence and governance in Afghanistan, al Qaeda will not come back into the same area. Therefore, we should not treat them separately. They have a nexus, and both have to be dealt with.”
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saaddaas
Being from Pakistan I know that Musharraf isn't as bad as most people make him out to be but Pakistani politics has the power to absolutely corrupt and he has fallen victim to it as well. This has happened to others before him, Mr Bhutto and his daughter Benazir are prime examples of excellent politicians gone astray because of corrupting influences.
Its sad because Pakistan has a lot of talent and heart for a little country on a global stage. External elements and the negligence of its own poeple may never help it reach its full potential.
DakLak
Musharraf's competence as a leader is so much more apparent now he has retired.
He had the right ideas: tough medicine for a tough problem.
AuntBarb
I wonder if Pakistani's view this the same way people here view Dick Cheney's belated input on how the Afghanistan war should be run.
Both had a chance to fight a war on terror, and both left the battle field in terrible shape for the incoming administrations.
Well, there's new leadership in both countries, and I have great optimism. I think our efforts and the Pakistani's can manage better without these two.
ravirahul
Yeah right, listen to the guy who is a dictator, said one thing and did exactly the opposite. Does anyone recall Pakistan's invasion of India in 1999. This guy who was the head of the armed forces then sent soldiers and militants into India when his Prime Minister was welcoming his counterpart from India on a peace visit.
So yeah please go ahead listen to him!
RR
mubj79
That dictator is much better than the crook we have in there now! And if the guy is talking about coming back through the political process, democratically, then what's the problem with that? And by the way, in official terms, he sent the army to invade Indian-Occupied Kashmir, from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. No international boundary was crossed, only the LOC, so you cannot call it invading India!
MGAKHI
Dear Rahul
What I think is typical Indian attitude. Before uttering, consider your own country situation how Indian Govt is treating Kashmiri, Naxli, and millions and millions of people of as untouchable, punishing them and taking away their rights. Consider that before making comments on the guy who speak the truth. So go ahead and try to explain the right of your own people to your Governments and other elements.
MGA
PUPITO
Just another POLITICIAN. Same as it ever was, same as it ever was.
User-iA9
indeed..
zafarbokhari
Musharraf has to come up with CHANGE thought if he raelly want to do better for Pakistan, which needs to challenge the current Westminster British democtratic system which has protected non productive and incompetent feudal class only. American style Presidential system with 30 provinces are the answer for more democratic and development. Within Pakistan people will love this. Pakistan will elect visionary leadership by popular votes not by 62 years of few family based mafia, which controls Pakitsni politics.
ZAB
Caradog
The Jay Leno of international politics: he's lost the tie, he won't bow out, he cares not if his home is in turmoil as long as he gets his. Why our 'tuff-on-terror' ex-President kept supporting this double-dealing joker is beyond comprehension.
I bet he's even got a bunker of collectible cars somewhere.
finderj
Well, political deals got him power, and political deals will likely get it back for him.
Politicians are no respecter of nation, gender, or ideology. They are only in it for themselves.
Pity.
verycold
It always seems to me that politicians speak much more candidly after leaving office. So many things get revealed that most wish had taken place or been acknowledged during the reign. I always remember listening to Bush I some years later describe certain events and his feelings and perception. It was not even close to the way he was portrayed during his presidency.
Today a stranger stopped me to gush to me about one of my family members. It was almost embarrassing because the person she described is not the person I know at all. It made me stop and think as she was gushing how true that must be for supporters of elected officials thinking they know that person when in fact we only know the public person. There is a big difference.
karamjinbo
Dear Sir,
I read an article of General Musharraf. My personal comments are that he is the most corrupted army soldier in Pakistan Army. Just to put 4-stars on Khaki dress and killing so many of his own brothers and sisters. I will ask General, how he become and got these 4 stars. He did not do anything good for his own country, except he betrayed the country and it's innocent people. I would like to have debate with this General openly on tv and let the people judge.QF
Barzakh81
Please...He oversaw two major operations in the region that ended in failure and embarrassment. Not only that the Gov't was forced to end these half-heart ed attempts at controlling waziristan through three peace agreements, while these lands became more and more in control of the Taliban. His policy of appeasement is to blame for our current predicament in Swat and waziristan
Barzakh
Hukook al-Insan
http://tqa81.wordpress.com/
User-iA9
I feel no politician can really help the country of Pakistan, its the people who need to change first. The politicians are the worst, they are only looking for self gains.
If anyone is giving Aid to Pakistan please please make sure it gets funneled through the right channels, otherwise it'll be gone..
jablaw2003
It is unfortunate that Pakistan is faced with such a problem that has assumed a global dimension. However, I think dialogue between all the parties involved would help to reduce violence in the country. Applying force will not bring a lasting solution, the same approach used by the Nigerian Government to bring peace to the restive Niger Delta should be applied. This fighting must stop for meaning development to be made by the pakistani people.
Thank you.
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