Gov. Bill Richardson: Pakistan in Crisis

Run time: 05:14 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRjBCRthvns   Posted on YouTube: November 05, 2007 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: November 07, 2007 By DU Member: seasat Views on DU: 690

 
Bill Richardson repeats his previous call that we need to cut off aid to Pakistan if Mushareff does not hold elections or go after Al Queeda. He's criticized Mushareff over the past year and pointed out how unstable Pakistan is in previous statements and speeches.

:kick:

They wouldn't be people friendly to our interests, let me tell you. The public in Pakistan fucking hate our guts. Let's call it like it is here, people. Very few people in the US government (Democrats and Republicans alike) really want to see fair elections in countries like Pakistan. Hell, we don't even like to see them in Mexico.

Richardson has previously stated that, among other things, we need to mediate between Pakistan and India on Kashmir. That is a key need to limit the growth of radical Islam in Pakistan. They've used that conflict to inflame their followers. Right now the only person polling lower in Pakistan than Mushareff is *. Mushareff's rule has been weakened and if Pakistan doesn't hold free elections, he'll probably be assassinated or overthrown. I'd much rather take my chances with an elected government in Pakistan than whoever takes down Mushareff.

Mushareff is not to friendly to our interests right now. If the secularists win, Shrub Inc is out of office, and we've got a reasonable Democrat as president, we'll have an opening to repair our relationship with Pakistan. Fareed Zakaria noted on Anderson Cooper the other night, that Pakistan, right now, does not want a strong Afghanistan. They fear that Afghanistan may align more with India, once it becomes stronger. That is why Mushareff has been lax on cracking down in the Taliban in Pakistan.

Because nuclear Pakistan in the hands of openly hostile Islamic fundamentalists (not to use right-wing talking points) has the potential to be a disaster beyond anything we've ever experienced.