Adil Najam
A few readers have asked us to provide links to various media appearances by Gen. Musharraf here on ATP. A very good and constantly updated colelction is available at Trekker’s blog here.
Meanwhile, we are providing video clips of some of the most talked appearances (rather, those that are available on the web for linking).
Related ATP Posts on Gen. Musharraf’s new book, In the Line of Fire
First, the much talked about appearance on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show and then the apperance on 60 Minutes. Third we have updated this post to include the CNN interview by Wolf Blitzer. We have also added the most pertinent part of the White House Press Conference with President Bush and President Musharraf.
You can view his appearance on 60 Minutes here:
Here is the first half of his appearance in CNN’s Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (cannot, yet, find the second half). FULL TRANSCRIPT of this interview can be read here:
Here is the middle part, the most pertinent and talked-about part, of the White House Press Conference with Presidents Bush and Musharraf:
Finally, here is the interview on PBS’s Charlie Rose, which has also been much discussed in the comments from our readers:
Sorry for these many responses. I do agree with Fawad that the reaction of us Pakistanis in USA is more about FINALLY getting some (semi-) positive coverage and liking his boldness, than about his performance (by the way, Dr. Najam, when do we get your analysis of the results of the Poll?). The reaction IN Pakistan is different, and not as enthusiastic. Great story in BBC where they survey the reaction of the Urdu press. Worth seeing. It also focussed on the issues in the book, including Kashmir, AQ Khan, and other things.
Anybody watched his interview with canadian News (CNC), He seems like tired of blaming of him for everything especially Afghanistan then he was mad at Kirzai too. I like his boldness………
Reading many of the comments I get the feeling that many in the Pakistani diaspora care more about cheerleading and public relations capabilities of our leaders than judging substantively what they do.
When “alvipervaiz” writes that “Lets keep eye on the ball and help our leaders make Pakistan an exemplary state”, he and I have a very different view of how that is done. True patriotism is not “my country right or wrong” or applauding any slick leader who presents well and makes us feel a little better here in the west (btw, benazir bhutto presented very well in the west as an articulate woman prime minister of a Muslim country but her rule was disatrous). Patriotism is to have the courage to oppose leaders who undermine the constitution, rule of law and the institutions of state whether they are military rulers like Musharraf or civilian ones from the 90’s. If they have not earned our support with their actions (by strengthening the rule of law, not themselves) then they don’t deserve our support. They need prodding to do the right thing not cheerleading. As is, they have plenty of lackeys around them informing them of their indispensability.
I would rather reserve my enthusiasm for true patriots who work hard for the betterment of the people of Pakistan selflessly. My heroes are people like Abdul Sattar Edhi, Ansar Burney, Asma Jahangir, Mukhtaran Mai (who was put under house arrest by Mush to “protect” Pakistan’s image), Lt. Gen (r) Sabeeh Qamar-u-Zaman of TCF, Imran Khan with his hospital etc. than another tinpot dictator who can communicate with Jon Stewart to the satisfaction of some Pakistanis in the west but will leave Pakistan’s democratic institutions in even worse shape than when he took over.
By the way, would be nice also to see second half of CNN interview (I thought that last question was unfair and purposely trying to create a Pak-Afghan rift). But overall, I think this half at least is probably Musharraf’s best performance … Earlier comments here had made me think it was not good. But I thought he was in control, did not let Blitzer badger him and kept focus on his own message (whether you like it or not). But, have not seen second half so maybe it changed.
Dr Najam, thank you for adding these two new videos they are important ones. I hope you can also find the Charlie Rose interview because I think that was the most interesting one. Not because Musharraf was good or bad in it, but because the cconversation was detailed and both questions and answers were substantive.