February 19, 2002

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FOREIGN POLICY

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf Tells It Like It Is

by Victor Trombettas
mush_n_bush.jpg
I never was a fan of York Peppermint Patties; I hate mint. But the commercials were unforgettable. "When I bite into a York Peppermint Pattie... (unwraps candy, takes a bite...) I get the sensation ... there's a cool breeze blowin' through my hair". And many other fabulous, refreshing, and even liberating sensations. That is how I feel about Musharraf. He is a York Peppermint Pattie to America's Middle East problems. From now on, when Saudi Hypocrites, I'm sorry, the Saudi Arabians, state that America must "look at" its Middle East policies, the President and his Cabinet should each take a bite of a Pattie and chant, "Musharraf", Musharraf" as they stroke their hair (hmmm ... problem for Cheney).
 
BBC News reported on Saturday that Musharraf, at a recent conference of science and technology attended by ministers from Muslim countries stated, "Today we are the poorest, the most illiterate, the most backward, the most unhealthy, the most un-enlightened, the most deprived, and the weakest of all the human race." He stated Islamic countries would remain in this state unless they concentrate more on scientific and technological development, and that Muslim nations should setup a multi-billion dollar fund to help meet the need for such centres of excellence including setting up scholarships for students to study in the West.
 
This is the real jihad, he said.
 
This man is just too modern, too radical, too logical, too honest, to not anger extremists in the Muslim world. Anwar Sadat paid the price for Peace. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear Musharraf may go the way of Sadat ... dead at the hands of extremists who simply cannot fathom a partnership with the West, with India, and God-forbid, with the Great Satan himself, Uncle Sam.
 
President Bush has committed our forces to any place on earth that might be a training ground for the Cowards of Al Qaeda. We're with ya Dubya.
 
I'd like to make a suggestion ... send Musharraf some of our Secret Service men. I think he's more at risk of assassination then Bush or Cheney.
 
If Musharraf is replaced by someone sympathetic to the insane, fundamentalist brand of Islam (like in Saudi Arabia), the world will have lost a great chance at Peace and Sanity.
 
"Musharraf, Musharraf."
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