I disagree with David's basic assumption that America's intervention aims at fostering democracy in Pakistan. But I do agree with his conclusion that America should take its hands off Pakistan. It is sad that both Musharraf and Mrs. Benazir Bhutto are still trying to prove, each in his /her own way, that he/she can best serve America's interests.
The true heroes of democracy are the lawyers who have braved the army and police brutality to protest the imposed martial law. These lawyers -- unlike most Pakistani leaders vying for power -- did not ask or care about America's permission. They are true nationalists and defenders of the rule of law. They are an inspiration to independent forces for democracy and progress everywhere.
But I doubt that the U.S. will get the message and allow Pakistan and its own people to forge a better future. It is evident from U.S. envoy John Negroponte's visit to Pakistan that Washington sees Musharraf's loss of control as a severe blow to U.S. interests.
If Washington decides to drop Musharraf and endorse Bhutto, instead of supporting power-sharing between the two leaders, it will still not bode well for Pakistan. It is time for Washington to stop trying to control the political process by supporting leaders only if they adhere to its destructive policies.
Unfortunately, Pakistani leaders are not alone in seeking to appease American foreign policies. Arab leaders, to different extents and in different forms, are doing the same. The only difference is that Pakistan's history and geographic location make the situation more dangerous and more explosive.
In fact, some Arab governments are as guilty of creating the situation that we are witnessing today in Pakistan as Pakistani leaders and American administrations. They stand to learn from the effects of the blowback of blindly tying themselves to dangerous policies for the sole aim of staying in power.
I see hope in the courage of the Pakistani lawyers and the sacked chief of Supreme Court. They are models of courage and inspiration.
Many struggles for democracy and freedoms in the Arab World and other places are thwarted partly by the lack of independence of legal systems. Pakistani lawyers are now putting their lives in the line of fire to uphold the rule of law.
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