India and Pakistan: So Close but So Different

well what do you expect? The most powerful democracy on Earth supports a dictatorship in Pakistan...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/16/weekinreview/16rohd.html

By DAVID ROHDE
Published: May 16, 2004

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — In the Indian capital of New Delhi on Thursday, a cherished tradition played itself out to a spectacular conclusion...

...In a speech on national television, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee conceded defeat and gave up power. He did not question the results or accuse his opponents of unfair tactics. "The people have given their verdict," he said. "I accept it."

Here in Pakistan, a different reality played out last week. On Tuesday, Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of the elected prime minister overthrown by Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a 1999 coup, tried to re-enter the country. Within two hours, he was deported...

..Today, opposition politicians say American support of General Musharraf gives the Pakistani Army free rein to suppress them. Two days after Mr. Sharif was deported, Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca visited Pakistan and expressed concern about the police crackdown on Mr. Sharif's party workers. But she reaffirmed American support for General Musharraf's rule...