U.S. government has history of supporting dictators
The U.S. government's problem with Pakistan is similar to the one it had with Iran in 1979. The U.S. government placed Iranian Shah Reza Pahlavi in power in 1953, which extinguished the rising flames of democracy. This resulted in a populist Islamic revolution and extreme anti-American sentiment. Now, Pakistan's brutal dictator, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, is facing a populist uprising.
The United States has supported Musharraf for years and continues to straddle both sides of the fence. It preaches democracy but has a long history of providing support to dictators. The U.S. government must practice what it preaches and stop enabling dictators.
The United States also should have supported former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who recently returned to Pakistan after eight years of exile. She, unlike Musharraf, is pro-democracy, pro-fair election and is against al-Qaeda. Bhutto has stated she would wage immediate war on the al-Qaeda sanctuaries that are ignored and, in some cases, protected by Musharraf.
Christian Gatsby
Philadelphia
(appeared in USA TODAY)
