A Moderate Musharraf Should Quash Militants

Re “War Is Likely if Musharraf Stays,� Commentary, May 29: Benazir Bhutto, in her futile but voracious quest for power, thinks the panacea to all political and security problems of the subcontinent lies in the exit of the Pakistani military junta of Gen. Pervez Musharraf. Until the Pakistani military’s intervention, the country was going through a political and institutional malaise. Bhutto was twice entrusted with the responsibilities of prime minister, and both times she was a total disaster.

The military junta is trying to implement some correctives so the problems that created national turmoil--corruption, extremism and feudalistic political and bureaucratic institutions--can be remedied. No wonder there had been vociferous opposition to Musharraf’s governance. He is assiduously trying to steer the country toward moderation and democratization.

India, which has been hoodwinking the world for the last 40 years, claiming to hold “free and fair� elections in its part of Kashmir, is presently playing a chauvinistic tune to placate its fringe elements. In contrast, the Pakistani leader has shown remarkable restraint. Kashmir is a subject of international dispute that requires an international response. Both India and Pakistan need to sit down and make some painful compromises.

Nadia Naqvi

Alexandria, Va.

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I do not understand why Bhutto does not plainly state that Pakistan supports Islamic terrorists in Kashmir. Islamic people, in general, live peacefully elsewhere in Hindu-dominated India.

The U.S. alliance with Pakistan has the same problem as that with Saudi Arabia. Both countries are hotbeds of Islamic fundamentalism, a major breeding ground of terrorism. These terrorists have hijacked an extreme form of Islam that espouses Islam-governed states and encourages its young people to die as martyrs while committing these terrorist acts against the infidel. The poor respond to this call, since they have little to lose.

The U.S. should withdraw support from Pakistan until it seriously comes to grip with its terrorist training camps. We should support only those Islamic states that support pluralism and active programs to find employment for the poor.

Mike Strong

Corona del Mar