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Vivian Salama

USA/Middle East

Vivian Salama is an award winning reporter, producer and blogger. She has reported for various publications from across the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Balkans, the United States and North and South Korea. more »

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Damned if We Do, Damned if We Don't

Who is America to say what's good for the people of Pakistan, or for the rest of the world?

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All Comments (7)

Prof. zubairi:

What have we accomplished by controlling/intervening in Afghanistan, Egypt and Iraq that we will in Pakistan?

Aamir :

May be the only realistic way to prevent a radical (read: Taliban/Al-Qaeda) takeover of this nuclear-armed state.

Lady stop insulting us with your un-informed and biased views!!!!You seem to have no clue about Pakistan.

Pakistan is no GOD Damn banana republic that bunch of rag tags can come and take over.It is largest Muslim nation on the face of earth.It has well established economy, institutions and well informed people, who know what is better for them.

If Taliban and Alqaeda are causing troubles in Tribal Areas that is becuase they use oridinary people as human sheilds. Now we are no Americans that our army starts bombing civilians on the assumption that KILL THEM ALL, GOD WILL SORT.

That is one reason for armys reluctance to clean up. But american media and fiction writers like you cant see this. All you people and George Bush want is more BLOOD SHED.

mohammad allam:

Regarding American choice one can say
1 America always interven according to the interest of own countries.and it is not a matter of choice for praise or condemnation of the opinion of people of world.so do not say do or not do.
2 The best way to take over pakistan by the pure muslim is not the revolution and overthrow the existing goverment but the democrataic process .In every survey Pakistani people are more anti American so,ultimatley they will choose a goverment which defy the American policy.so,the claim to save pakistan from radical through martial law is not also valid.
3 As far as the attitude of the people of this area is concerned they have anti colonial feelinf but not so powerfull that they can influence the policy of the country.othe r hand the britisher who were the real coloniser now command a position of respect by their postive attitude and post colonial partnership in development of colonies.exept iraq naked blunder britian never so openly violated its moral policy and justice and completely destroyed the reputation of just coloniser.It is American naked exploitive and impretive attitude of American official that now people around the world have negative feeling towards America.

alkan.levent@mynet.com:

greetings Bibiana,

could you think for a while that PAkistan was educated by USA and UK against Soviets, as was Saddam. on the wikipedia Pervez and His Opponent are gradutes from UK and USA.

so what are you arguing for?

A.:

First of all, Pakistan is America's way of saying that others need a Decider too, just like USA for the unmistakable fact that USA has tranformed to be just another Middle Eastern Sunni regime-- The Decider at the top, a rubber stamp parliament, suspended personal privacy and intrusive "state of emergency" (colour-coded for easy reference), rampant inflation and a devalued currency, banking scandals, increasing unemployment and underemployment.....and if you want to get something done in the capital or a fix on a government deal, you go to the VP or the Minister of Defence (Rumsfeld)!

Second, they all need to eat Freedom Fries. If it is good for America, it ought to be good for the rest. They don't need democracy.

Third, Hans Blix got trash talked because he was not "with us", that means he was against us!

Fourth, USA is learning from Israel: a disingenous flux, swinging between pseudo-"democracy" and religious doctrine. A nation of 300m people are now hooked on the "issue of the day" show. Single topic management is the best way to brainwash the country. Why have values, policy, multi-lateralism, etc.?

ghostcommander:

I am impressed with the lawyers, the judiciary and most of the citizens of Pakistan. Pakistan is blooming and Musharraf has, by his negative actions, has promoted what will become a Great Pakistan. Musharraf's task should be to rid Pakistan of the extremists once and for all. This is a crossroads for Pakistan and all of it's citizens. I wish them well.

Mamdooh:

I do'nt think that Musharaf is beign viewed as a dictator.He is an American Ally. US already intervened when house arrest was left for Bhuto. It is the right place to intervene and I do'nt think that you have another choice. Musharaf made a big mistake when he slaughtered the peopel in the Red Mosque but was there another way he and the US could have used?

I think people worry about survival more than they worry about colonialism and most importantly the just hate the US.

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