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INTERVIEW: BENAZIR BHUTTO
Contd...
Q. You helped in the election of Ghulam Ishaque
Khan as President ...
A.
This is wrong. I had a split mandate. Two provinces were with Sharif who
was in the Opposition, two provinces were with us. The National Assembly
was with us and the Senate with them. So we had no votes. We accepted
Ishaque due to compulsions. If we had votes, we would have had our own
man.
Q. Is it true that America plays an important
role in your country?
A.
America has given a lot of money-$4.5 billion-and F-16 aircraft. So obviously
it has a leverage.
Q. So you've put democracy on lease for money?
A.
When did we want to put democracy on a lease? There was martial law. There
were strategic concerns. You ask those who did that.
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LESSER FOE: Benazir has personal problems with Sharif (right),
not with Musharraf
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Q. Does America dictate Pakistan's politics?
A.
Obviously. America is a superpower. We want their diplomatic support in
case we go to the UN. In the past we were in the American BLOC, you were
closer to the Soviets. Now you are opening up your markets. Ten years
hence, Insha Allah, we'll talk.
Q. In your first term as prime minister,
you were progressive. In your second term, you wanted to earn wealth.
They say you made billions and built palaces. Is this true?
A. This
is all propaganda. During my first term, Islam, not in religious terms,
was used against me. When that failed, the bogey of corruption was raised.
But the reality is that India copied my energy and software policies.
Q. What about your properties that have been
listed?
A.
What properties? What have they listed? I am entitled to have properties.
What law is there against it?
Q. It seems Musharraf is soft towards you.
A. They
have kept my husband in jail and you think like this?
Q. It wasn't Musharraf but Sharif.
A. You know, the whole thing is run by Zia's men.
Q. Is there a compromise with the general?
A. No.
I have deputed the vice-chairman of the party and said that if there are
talks he should join in. But dialogues have led us nowhere because they
don't want the return of Benazir. They want to use the army against me.
I, however, do not have personal problems with Musharraf. He was my DGMO.
I do have personal problems with Sharif.
Q. If you have to choose between the two
...
A. I will choose Musharraf any day.
Q. Is he a better man?
A. Even animals do not act in such a brutal manner as Sharif
did.
Q. Some say Musharraf exiled Sharif and wants
to use you to head a democratic, puppet government.
A.
The perception that Sharif was exiled is wrong.
Q. Musharraf wants a democratic face and
where will they find a better one than yours?
A.
I am hearing this from you. If they want such a face, they have not come
to me. And let me tell you, I am not only a democratic face, I am a person
with her own base.
| Q. Is it true that America plays an important
role in your country? |
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A. America has given us a lot of
money -- $4.5 billion -- and F-16 aircraft. So obviously it has
a leverage.
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Q. But if they keep women confined to the
four walls and in purdah, how will you fight?
A.
This is a challenge. In my life, I have accepted challenges.
Q. What do you think of the three Indian
peace initiatives of Vajpayee?
A.
After Rajiv, Vajpayee is the first leader with farsightedness. He released
Hurriyat leaders for treatment, declared a cease-fire, announced he was
ready for unilateral talks. I think he has taken some courageous steps.
Pakistan is missing out on a window of opportunity.
Q. What would you have done if you were at
the helm?
A.
I think that if a positive step is taken, a second positive step should
also follow.
Q. Why should Indo-Pak relations hinge on
Kashmir?
A.
You want that I call for a delink? Then your people will be happy and
my people angry.
Q. Politics is overshadowing relations.
A.
A trend has set in in which accepting the other's view is considered wrong.
Let us respect a country's right to its own opinion. Let us agree to disagree.
Even if there are some disagreements, there are other parameters-peace,
friendship, amity.
Q. Do you think Islamic fundamentalism is
standing in the way of a negotiated settlement?
A. In my days, the Hurriyat was prominent in Kashmir. Now
the Lashkar-e-Toiba has come in. We have personal reservations about that.
We can sit and talk about how to manage this. We understand violence should
end and our countries should live in peace. I am prepared to play my role.
Q. But you can play a role only if you go to Pakistan.
A. I would like to see people in India also play a role so
that the Kashmiris get something.
Q. If you have to choose between family and
politics, what will you do?
A. My wish is to make somebody the prime minister while I run the
party so that I give more time to my children. After 10 years they will
be in college, get married. Now is the time I can sit with them, help
them in their homework, give them emotional strength.
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