Final Post on Research Awards (I hope) + article
I don’t think I mentioned this earlier, but crisis will accord 10 percent of your position papers grade to blog participation, I want at least 1 serious post from everyone before the conference.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7212074.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7212473.stm
Ok here are two more articles that are worth reading over. Here are a few questions to ponder:
1) Will the Taleban interfere in the elections, and if they do, how will they do it and will it affect the elections?
2) How genuine is Musharraf’s desire for free elections? Why or why not?
January 29th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080130/ap_on_re_as/pakistan
This is also a quite interesting article I saw.
All three of these articles (your 2 + my 1) show that Pakistan is not in the right condition to hold elections. I will not be surprised if Musharraf postpones the elections, and to be honest, I will support such a decision; it’s the best thing for the country. However, the country can not just function without a government.
Holding elections is not right, but a government is needed. WOW! This is a serious situation for Pakistan right now. In fact, I feel so sorry for Musharraf, and if he can get his country through this, I will have serious respect for him.
This is an unbelievable situation and so unfortunate; I hope the best for the country…
January 29th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Also, in the article I mentioned in the previous comment, there is a portion discussing Pakistani students chanting “Death to America.” The article wasn’t quite clear what group these students belong to, or if it was a serious threat. I did try to research more about that fact, but couldn’t find too much. Maybe it is still early.
However, if these students are speaking the feelings of the majority of the country, America should definitely stop discussing an invasion of Pakistan. It might be inevitable in the future; however I do believe Americans are talking way too much about it; to the point that it is being brought up in the presidential debates. They see us as a threat now; especially since their idea of our fronts in Afghanistan and Iraq are unacceptable.
Like I said, this is a tight situation now for this country.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:34 am
Kazanjian, excellent post, and extra thanks for bringing in extra research. Your Chair Per may be among our best, but he still has quite the life to lead outside of BMUN as well. The link, and your posts, are appreciated.
For a long time, the military (and the military government) has seen itself as the only way for Pakistan to strengthen itself domestically and protect itself internationally. Professional politicians (such as the previous three Bhuttos) just get in the way of things.
I’m interested to know what you think might be the American response to increased instability in Pakistan. What might happen if extremist groups make a stronger showing in elections? And if that reaction is hostile, how do you as the Foreign Minister plan to placate the United States?
Keep up the good work! With a scholar like you on board, I see good things for Pakistan’s future.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
The reason why American intervention will hurt more than help is because I think American isn’t strong enough to go in there now and make not only the situation better, but also to keep the people happy. At its full potential, American can, but America isn’t at its best potential. The reason I think that is the case is because America has a serious dedication to Iraq and Afghanistan. They don’t have a large number of troops to commit to Pakistan. If they send a small load, the Pakistani rebels (extremists tied to Taliban or Al-Queda) will fight back. The limited American effort in Pakistan won’t be enough to hold peace and suppress the oppression that is to be faced.
It is hard to explain exactly what I am trying to say, but hopefully that was understandable. Think about a double scale. America’s intervention not to its full strength but to a limited power; versus plenty of extremists in Pakistan who don’t want America in Pakistan. A weak American front will hurt Pakistan rather than help it.
No America is better than some of America.
As Foreign Minister, I highly frown upon American intervention of our internal problem. I also frown upon European intervention, because I believe that will anger China and India. For centuries, Europe has had imperialistic thoughts about that region of the world (India). If Pakistan were to invite them in, we would be angering India and even China who is trying to compete with the European economy.
I believe this is an internal problem. We have to trust in our current government to take control of the situation. As for a crisis with India and China over the region of Kashmir, I suggest we act diplomatically rather than militarily, even though some might consider the military response an example of diplomatic response.