By NNN-APP
Washington : US newspapers hailed Pakistan’s democratic progress through success of moderate forces in the polls with a major publication urging increase in economic assistance and unstinted flow of security aid for the South Asian ally.
In their editorials Wednesday mainstream American newspapers acknowledged that the election remained free and relatively peaceful as some of them also credited President Musharraf’s government with holding such polls.
The Los Angeles Times argued that the US can now demonstrate that it isn’t the fair-weather friend Pakistanis fear but a respectful ally of the Pakistani people.
“It should reward the country for making the transition to civilian rule by increasing the $300 million it provides in development aid.”
Noting that the U.S. also gives $300 million in direct military aid, the paper in its editorial opposed the notion of any cut in such assistance. “Congress has been toying with slashing that, but now isn’t the moment” it said while calling upon the US to continue to nurture the military relationship while assuring that it is spent on counter-terrorism efforts.
“Pakistanis delightfully defied expectations Monday by staging a seemingly free election with a minimum of violence; voters ousted incumbents by the score, and the ruling party quickly accepted defeat,” it observed.
The Washington Post in its editorial said the outcome of Monday’s poll reflected success of pro-democracy center.
“Violence during the elections was relatively low, though so was turnout. The results were an affirmation that a mostly secular, pro-democracy center is the strongest force in Pakistani politics, despite the mounting aggressiveness of extremist groups. “
In a lead editorial, The New York Times said the Bush administration will have to work hard to persuade the victors in Monday’s polls – and the Pakistani people – that the war against terrorists was not just Washington’s fight. “These extremists are also a direct threat to Pakistan and its hopes for democracy.”
The Times said Washington can start by sending a clear message that it cares about Pakistan’s people and that it will do a lot more to build up its schools, courts and political parties. “The lesson of the last six years … is undeniable: without popular support, there will be no stability in Pakistan and no hope of defeating Al Qaeda and the Taliban.”
The Wall Street Journal called the election results a vindication of both President Pervez Musharraf and President George W. Bush. President Musharraf, the newspaper noted, made good on his promise to resign his position as army chief of staff and hold parliamentary elections, despite a delay of six weeks following Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in late December, noting that international observers had certified the election as fair.
“That is good news given predictions that Mr. Musharraf intended to rig the results, not to mention what might have been a bloody fallout if he had,” the Journal pointed out in an editorial.
“It’s also good news that Mr. Musharraf has accepted the result and promised to work with parliamentary leaders,” WSJ said.
“Exactly who those leaders will be is not clear as of this writing, and divisions may yet emerge within the major parties, particularly the PPP. But divided government is a hallmark of a normal democracy. And to the extent this election restores popular legitimacy to the government, it will help in Pakistan ‘s efforts to combat militancy and terrorism, both in remote provinces and such urban centers as Karachi”.
The Journal went on to say, “For the Bush Administration, Monday’s election means that it can continue to transition from what is often described as a ‘Musharraf policy’ to a broader Pakistani one. It was never in America’s interests to humiliate or isolate the Pakistani leader, at least while he cooperated with the U.S. in fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban, shutting down the A.Q. Khan nuclear proliferation network, improving relations with India and keeping a grip on the country’s nuclear arsenal.
“But U.S. interests in Pakistan are best served by cultivating democratic institutions and a vibrant civil society with its own interests in fighting extremism. That’s precisely the goal that seems to have been at least modestly advanced in Monday’s election.”