Sunday, March 15, 2009

Pakistan situation tense despite concession

Tonight's concession by the Pakistani government of President Zardari may at first appear to have defused a crisis. That is not yet clear. It's good news but it would have been far better outside of a crisis. Now, by reinstating Justice Chaudrey and lifting all restrictions that had been put into place over the last week, Zardari walks a fine line between compromise and vulnerability. The barricades are being removed but the marchers may still be coming. In the cutthroat world of Pakistani politics, will opposition leader Sharif pull his caravan to the side of the road in cooperation with U.S. diplomatic efforts or push his advantage now with a rally of victorious supporters. What's better, a protesting crowd hemmed in by barricades and troops or a jubilant crowd without control. What will happen in the next few days remains uncertain.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home