New York Times criticizes devolution plan
By Our Correspondent
NEW YORK, Aug 30: A sombre mood has been set for Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf's
visit to the United Nations to attend the Millennium Summit, which begins on Sept 6. In an editorial "
Military Misrule", the New York Times underscored that a "speedier timetable for restorimg
democracy in the country is urgently needed", and called on Gen Musharraf to "acknowledge that he is
worsening Pakistan's problems and accelerate the return to democratic rule."
The paper says: "Last October, Gen Musharraf overthrew Pakistan's democracy, promising to
eradicate corruption, revive the economy and open the way for 'true democracy.' He pledged to
restrain nuclear weapons' development and pursue peaceful diplomacy with India. Ten months later,
he has made little progress with the economy or corruption and has put off the return of democracy
until at least 2003. Pakistan still has not signed the nuclear test ban treaty and tensions with India over
Kashmir are as dangerous as ever. Now Gen Musharraf has announced plans for a new political
system designed to buttress his own power by excluding the country's top politicians. That would
compound Pakistan's problems."
Acknowledging that Pakistan's democratic governments have been "flawed", the paper observes,"but
its military dictatorships have blighted its economic and political development and gravely damaged its
international reputation. Gen Musharraf's administration has proved no different.
" Military rulers claim they can push through reforms because they do not have to make deals with
entrenched political interests. But they are beholden to Pakistan's single most powerful interest group,
the military and its related intelligence services. Military spending absorbs more than a quarter of
Pakistan's yearly budget, diverting resources needed for education and development."
Dwelling on Pakistan's economic problems the paper notes that the International Monetary Fund is
also unhappy with the slow pace of promised economic reforms.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Pakistan Muslim league and Pakistan People's Party plan to jointly
demonstrate in front of the United Nations on Sept 6, the day Gen Musharraf is scheduled to address
the gathering of world leaders. They will protest against the army rule and call for restoration of
democracy as soon as possible.
Besides holding two press conferences, one at the United Nations and another at the Roosevelt Hotel,
Gen Musharraf will also meet a group of Pakistan technocrats, mostly information technology experts
to discuss ways to accelerate Pakistan's entry into global technology market.
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I couldn't get the real article as i would have to pay 3 bucks for it and i don't have a credit card - so that didn't work.
=============================================
Oh My God - what ever shall we do???
Personally i would tell the NYT to shove it.
The stuff about the CE causing more problems i wrong.
But the devolution is something else.
What is it exactly, nobody really knows.
But based on all the ideas flying back and forth, i think it is a good idea in theory, but practically for pakistan i am not so sure.
I personally don't understand what it is.
The best comparsion i can think of is the US way of townships, counties, states and then country.
Meaning Township council.
County Mayor - along with cities.
State Governer.
And lastly working for the state in the federal govt.
This would create a whole lot more beaucracy and chances for corruption.
Will it work for Pakistan - i reallu don't know.
What do you guys think??
------------------
CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE
By Our Correspondent
NEW YORK, Aug 30: A sombre mood has been set for Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf's
visit to the United Nations to attend the Millennium Summit, which begins on Sept 6. In an editorial "
Military Misrule", the New York Times underscored that a "speedier timetable for restorimg
democracy in the country is urgently needed", and called on Gen Musharraf to "acknowledge that he is
worsening Pakistan's problems and accelerate the return to democratic rule."
The paper says: "Last October, Gen Musharraf overthrew Pakistan's democracy, promising to
eradicate corruption, revive the economy and open the way for 'true democracy.' He pledged to
restrain nuclear weapons' development and pursue peaceful diplomacy with India. Ten months later,
he has made little progress with the economy or corruption and has put off the return of democracy
until at least 2003. Pakistan still has not signed the nuclear test ban treaty and tensions with India over
Kashmir are as dangerous as ever. Now Gen Musharraf has announced plans for a new political
system designed to buttress his own power by excluding the country's top politicians. That would
compound Pakistan's problems."
Acknowledging that Pakistan's democratic governments have been "flawed", the paper observes,"but
its military dictatorships have blighted its economic and political development and gravely damaged its
international reputation. Gen Musharraf's administration has proved no different.
" Military rulers claim they can push through reforms because they do not have to make deals with
entrenched political interests. But they are beholden to Pakistan's single most powerful interest group,
the military and its related intelligence services. Military spending absorbs more than a quarter of
Pakistan's yearly budget, diverting resources needed for education and development."
Dwelling on Pakistan's economic problems the paper notes that the International Monetary Fund is
also unhappy with the slow pace of promised economic reforms.
Meanwhile, there are reports that Pakistan Muslim league and Pakistan People's Party plan to jointly
demonstrate in front of the United Nations on Sept 6, the day Gen Musharraf is scheduled to address
the gathering of world leaders. They will protest against the army rule and call for restoration of
democracy as soon as possible.
Besides holding two press conferences, one at the United Nations and another at the Roosevelt Hotel,
Gen Musharraf will also meet a group of Pakistan technocrats, mostly information technology experts
to discuss ways to accelerate Pakistan's entry into global technology market.
=============================================
I couldn't get the real article as i would have to pay 3 bucks for it and i don't have a credit card - so that didn't work.
=============================================
Oh My God - what ever shall we do???
Personally i would tell the NYT to shove it.
The stuff about the CE causing more problems i wrong.
But the devolution is something else.
What is it exactly, nobody really knows.
But based on all the ideas flying back and forth, i think it is a good idea in theory, but practically for pakistan i am not so sure.
I personally don't understand what it is.
The best comparsion i can think of is the US way of townships, counties, states and then country.
Meaning Township council.
County Mayor - along with cities.
State Governer.
And lastly working for the state in the federal govt.
This would create a whole lot more beaucracy and chances for corruption.
Will it work for Pakistan - i reallu don't know.
What do you guys think??
------------------
CROIRE A L'INCROYABLE
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