Adil Najam
Just got hold of a list of major media appearances that Gen. Pervez Musharraf will be making as part of his book tour to promote In The Line of Fire: A Memoir. The book is publsihed by Simon and Schuster which will be handing much of the book tour, although it is clear that he will be asked about and will speak about much more than just the book.
(BTW, there is also a White House meeting with President Bush on Friday; so Gen. Musharraf will remain busy).
ATP had alreday written about the general’s appearance on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, and we have a ccurrently ongoing ATP Poll on Grading Gen. Musharraf’s Performance in office. I am sure there will be other appearances too, but here is a list of the key ones.
Sept. 24: 60 Minutes
Sept. 25: NBC’s Today Show
Sept. 26: The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Sept. 27: NPR’s Morning Edition
Oct. 1: NBC’s Meet The Press
Although there are always surprises, those familiar with the US media landscape would agree that one could express the toughest questions on Meet The Press with Tim Russert and The Dialy Show with Jon Stewart. The Today Show and Morning Edition appearances are more likely to focus on the ‘softer’ and more personal questions. 60 Minutes can go eitehr way, depending on who is interviewing him, but is likely to be a mix of personal and political issues.
Also heard on the internet that the ghost writer for the book is Humayun Gauhar. I am not at all sure if this is true or not. If this is, in fact, true that would be something. Humayun Gauhar is another ‘PR maven’, and son of Ayub Khan’s media guru, Altaf Gauhar. Reportedly, Ayub Khan’s biography, Friends, Not Masters, was ghost-written by Altaf Gauhar.
If true, the coincidence and the connection would be just a little too perfect. Which is why I remain skeptical about the authenticity of this rumor. Readers, does anyone have a sense if this is true or not?
Video clips (in three parts) of Bush-Musharraf press conference at the White House on Sept. 22:
I agree with Daktar, Musharraf’s body language showed he was not comfortable. At times he looked nervous and was on the defensive.
Saw the 60 minutes interview. It was tough. Maybe it was the way it was edited, but he was on the defensive. A really softball interviwe of Condi Rice preceeded this. Mush was put on the mat on 9/11, then on AQ Khan, and generally.
For those in the US, a reminder that his much reported interview with the Armitage mention airs today on 60 Minutes at 7PM eastern time. Look forard to people’s reactions.
Pndiwalla, I was there too at the Woodley Park Marriott address. I agree he was very candid and covered a wide range of issues ranging from Baluchistan to Hudood. His opening quip about wearing Kameez Shalwar and speaking English was hilarious lol. I did not take a camera with me because had gotten an email from the embassy that cameras will not be allowed — but then everyone had cameras there. Anyways, here’s a poor quality clip recorded from Geo News: http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/56f332ad517eef139 b2b895c459539b3
What a cartoon this man is! The kind of things he comes up with for international PR!