Musharraf Resigns before being Impeached.
August 19th 2008 02:10
Musharraf Resigns before being Impeached.
19/8/08
After days of contemplating and jostling Musharraf has finally fallen on his own sword and true to his style he has used the opportunity of his resignation for his Swan Song. The economy, the nation, corruption and security were considered by Musharraf as his personal successes throughout his long dictatorship. Despite his insistence that he was a good benevolent dictator I don’t think that people are going to spend much time agreeing with this skew self assessment.
9 years have passed and with it Musharraf has remained in charge and in control of Pakistan as the unelected dictator that he was. He ceased control of the government in a bloodless coup on the excuse that the corruption had hit and all time high. In this regard he was portraying himself as the honest national saviour who could no longer stand by and watch his nation fall to pieces. He promised elections in 2 years which never happened. For the first years of his rule he was an international pariah, scored by every democratic nation on earth but Musharraf was about to have his greatest stroke of luck. That stroke of luck came on September 11 when the twin towers were brought down by Osama Bin Laden’s disciples. Suddenly the dictator that nobody wanted became the good dictator that was needed for invasion of Afghanistan.
Musharraf became the noble leader and man of strength who was going to help the Bush Administration rid the world of terrorism. Billions of US aid dollars poured in to the war on terror and Musharraf’s position became even more entrenched as a result. His dictatorship ceased to be an embarrassment to the west because he was on our side fighting the Taliban. He was softly spoken, polite to reporters and very charming. Everything that an officer and a gentleman should be.
The problem with some charming people is that are only charming on the surface. With Musharraf this was the case as he went after his political opponents with questionable charges of corruption and made deals with Islamic extremists. Despite receiving more than 9 billion dollars in aid the Taliban and Islamic extremism was growing in Pakistan. In many areas Bin Laden poll as a more popular leader than Musharraf. Yet as long as he made speeches about being western friendly, fighting terrorism and handed over prisoners he was still considered ‘one of us’ or our favourite dictator. He vaguely mentioned democracy once in a while but that was all he willingly did. It seemed for a time that Musharraf was the invincible and permanent head of the Pakistan state. He was a military dictator that had managed to convince the Bush Administration to financially supplement and sponsor his control.
In the last 9 years Pakistan has move a long way from silently accepting a military dictator as its leader. Like the rest of Asia it economy has seen the expansion of a middle class and western comforts. The political situation was shifting away from Musharraf to the possible return of Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf was facing his third stint as president and facing a number of legal hurdles created in the constitution. The absolute power that many imagine dictators have was weakening in this case. The Supreme Court of Pakistan, Bhutto and the shift in demographics of Pakistan was creating internal pressure on Musharraf. More importantly in the one area where he claimed to be a success he was failing. The Taliban were growing in numbers and strength in Pakistan and had even taken over towns.
The down fall of Musharraf was long slow and painful. The supreme court judges were set to forbid him from a third stint as president. Benazir Bhutto was returning to Pakistan and made huge demands that Musharraf give up his uniform before he stands for any election. The elections were being forced upon him due to constitutional requirement at the very moment that he was losing popularity. The number of fanatically run madras’s were increasing and also sending terrorists to the west. Our Favourite Dictator was developing a tainted halo.
What follow looked exactly like a cynical exercise in self survival by a desperate dictator. He dismissed the judiciary and replaced them with his own cronies. He declared a state on emergency and arrested thousands of people including the removed Supreme Court Judges. He postponed the elections. He had Benazir Bhutto arrested for a time and hundreds of opposition politicians. Even the former cricketer Imran Khan was arrested on emergency laws. Yet it was all too late as the nation was being mobilized against his rule and soon due to large protests many of the emergency laws were dropped. The opposition was released and an election date was promised.
Yet no blow to his image was greater than the death of Benazir Bhutto. He assassination in a changed the dynamic of the entire election as many blamed Musharraf for her death. Many speculated that it was his special operation forces that did the killing, other believed that even if his men did not do it they intentionally allowed the Taliban get close enough. Regardless of what the truth may be it is the negative perception of Musharraf that was taken to the election. In that perception the election saw Musharraf’s part lose control of the parliament. It was only a matter of time until his old enemies lined up to remove him from power.
Musharraf’s resignation is of no great surprise as he was about to face one of the most scathing impeachments in modern history. The very corruption that he had accused others of when he ceased power was now tainting his own reputation. The impeachment was to included the accusation that he syphoned off $100’s of millions from the aid money sent by the US for personal gain. The destruction of democracy, the attack upon the judiciary and his iron fisted rule were just a damaging. He was left with no choice but jump.
What happens next for Musharraf is anyone’s guess. There is the distinct possibility that he will go into exile to avoid criminal charges. Yet for those that propped him and sponsored his dictatorship there is no punishment. Instead they were played like cards by a man who spoke softly and carried big atomic stick. If the West learns its lesson this time it will totally surprise me.
19/8/08
Why did Musharraf cross the road? To avoid impeachment.
After days of contemplating and jostling Musharraf has finally fallen on his own sword and true to his style he has used the opportunity of his resignation for his Swan Song. The economy, the nation, corruption and security were considered by Musharraf as his personal successes throughout his long dictatorship. Despite his insistence that he was a good benevolent dictator I don’t think that people are going to spend much time agreeing with this skew self assessment.
9 years have passed and with it Musharraf has remained in charge and in control of Pakistan as the unelected dictator that he was. He ceased control of the government in a bloodless coup on the excuse that the corruption had hit and all time high. In this regard he was portraying himself as the honest national saviour who could no longer stand by and watch his nation fall to pieces. He promised elections in 2 years which never happened. For the first years of his rule he was an international pariah, scored by every democratic nation on earth but Musharraf was about to have his greatest stroke of luck. That stroke of luck came on September 11 when the twin towers were brought down by Osama Bin Laden’s disciples. Suddenly the dictator that nobody wanted became the good dictator that was needed for invasion of Afghanistan.
Musharraf became the noble leader and man of strength who was going to help the Bush Administration rid the world of terrorism. Billions of US aid dollars poured in to the war on terror and Musharraf’s position became even more entrenched as a result. His dictatorship ceased to be an embarrassment to the west because he was on our side fighting the Taliban. He was softly spoken, polite to reporters and very charming. Everything that an officer and a gentleman should be.
The problem with some charming people is that are only charming on the surface. With Musharraf this was the case as he went after his political opponents with questionable charges of corruption and made deals with Islamic extremists. Despite receiving more than 9 billion dollars in aid the Taliban and Islamic extremism was growing in Pakistan. In many areas Bin Laden poll as a more popular leader than Musharraf. Yet as long as he made speeches about being western friendly, fighting terrorism and handed over prisoners he was still considered ‘one of us’ or our favourite dictator. He vaguely mentioned democracy once in a while but that was all he willingly did. It seemed for a time that Musharraf was the invincible and permanent head of the Pakistan state. He was a military dictator that had managed to convince the Bush Administration to financially supplement and sponsor his control.
In the last 9 years Pakistan has move a long way from silently accepting a military dictator as its leader. Like the rest of Asia it economy has seen the expansion of a middle class and western comforts. The political situation was shifting away from Musharraf to the possible return of Benazir Bhutto. Musharraf was facing his third stint as president and facing a number of legal hurdles created in the constitution. The absolute power that many imagine dictators have was weakening in this case. The Supreme Court of Pakistan, Bhutto and the shift in demographics of Pakistan was creating internal pressure on Musharraf. More importantly in the one area where he claimed to be a success he was failing. The Taliban were growing in numbers and strength in Pakistan and had even taken over towns.
The down fall of Musharraf was long slow and painful. The supreme court judges were set to forbid him from a third stint as president. Benazir Bhutto was returning to Pakistan and made huge demands that Musharraf give up his uniform before he stands for any election. The elections were being forced upon him due to constitutional requirement at the very moment that he was losing popularity. The number of fanatically run madras’s were increasing and also sending terrorists to the west. Our Favourite Dictator was developing a tainted halo.
What follow looked exactly like a cynical exercise in self survival by a desperate dictator. He dismissed the judiciary and replaced them with his own cronies. He declared a state on emergency and arrested thousands of people including the removed Supreme Court Judges. He postponed the elections. He had Benazir Bhutto arrested for a time and hundreds of opposition politicians. Even the former cricketer Imran Khan was arrested on emergency laws. Yet it was all too late as the nation was being mobilized against his rule and soon due to large protests many of the emergency laws were dropped. The opposition was released and an election date was promised.
Yet no blow to his image was greater than the death of Benazir Bhutto. He assassination in a changed the dynamic of the entire election as many blamed Musharraf for her death. Many speculated that it was his special operation forces that did the killing, other believed that even if his men did not do it they intentionally allowed the Taliban get close enough. Regardless of what the truth may be it is the negative perception of Musharraf that was taken to the election. In that perception the election saw Musharraf’s part lose control of the parliament. It was only a matter of time until his old enemies lined up to remove him from power.
Musharraf’s resignation is of no great surprise as he was about to face one of the most scathing impeachments in modern history. The very corruption that he had accused others of when he ceased power was now tainting his own reputation. The impeachment was to included the accusation that he syphoned off $100’s of millions from the aid money sent by the US for personal gain. The destruction of democracy, the attack upon the judiciary and his iron fisted rule were just a damaging. He was left with no choice but jump.
What happens next for Musharraf is anyone’s guess. There is the distinct possibility that he will go into exile to avoid criminal charges. Yet for those that propped him and sponsored his dictatorship there is no punishment. Instead they were played like cards by a man who spoke softly and carried big atomic stick. If the West learns its lesson this time it will totally surprise me.
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Comment by Cibbuano
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Fat Cult
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Like Cibbuano, I wonder what will happen next. Any educated guesses?
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
Pakistan has a parliament. The judiciary will be restored.
Then what?
Well I think that is up to the Pakistanis to decide through their own institutions.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
I won't ever say that Musharraf was stupid. He knew his audience and played to them as best he could. Unfortunately things changed and his song did not.
When it comes to predicting the future of the SE Asia I am going to say 'pass'. I have been wrong too many times to play that game.
Often you get rid of one despot only to have a thief take his place then liar. Yet corruption really flourishes in well under dictatorships.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Musharraf, Marcos, "Papa Doc" DuValier, Henry VIII..same old story, different characters.
Are people really such big suckers, or do they not know their history, or are they that easily led by fleeting emotions stirred up by talented public speakers?
I just don't know anymore.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for your comments.
I think we people like the idea of the single man of will saving us from a rabble of corrupt elected officials.
Yet too often those who claim to be saving the world are in fact trying to control it.