Biden to Pakistan: Restore Democratic Freedoms Or Lose US Funding

[gateley]

Des Moines, Iowa---After a nearly 40 minute stump speech to over 100 caucus
goers at the Des Moines Zoo Sunday night, the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Democratic presidential candidate Senator Joe Biden gave HuffPost's OffTheBus his prescription for solving the current and dangerous situation in Pakistan: Restore democratic freedoms or you don't get the military aircraft or an annual $1 Billion check from the U.S.

Senator Biden: "I just spoke with former Prime Minister Mrs.
Bhutto this morning to discuss the situation. I fear what will happen if he forces the vast majority of Pakistani moderates to move in league with the more radical elements to overthrow him and then we'll have a similar circumstance we had with the Shah twenty-five years ago - where you have the moderates in league with the ore radical elements to get rid of a figure that is despotic in their view - and that's what's going to be my message to Musharraf tomorrow when he calls me and that was my discussion that I had with Bhutto today."

HuffPost's OffTheBus: Do you have an ally in Mrs. Bhutto? You said you spoke with her this morning.

Senator Biden: "I have an ally in a sense that Mrs. Bhutto wants - she took a bit of a risk and as did Musharraf - he originally dropped all the criminal charges and corruption charges and in turn, she
agreed to come back and hold free elections. So, the key to this is - this
is still able to be dealt with, if in fact, Marshall Law is lifted relatively quickly and he assures the world that there will be general elections held for the parliament within 60 days. I think we can get by this and we can begin to form this new coalition that may be possible to keep radicalization of Pakistan from occurring."

HuffPost's OffTheBus: What would you do as President to restore democracy in Pakistan?

Senator Biden: "Yes. Look, Musharraf is not an independent actor. Musharraf is in a situation where the military, it matters to the military, if they have the P3's, these aircraft and these F16s deliver] and I would make it clear that if he, in fact, is going to continue to keep Marshall Law in place and not hold these parliamentary elections. If I were president, I'd make it clear I would withhold these sales. Because I think you're going to see a lot of pressure build, not only in the Pakistani society but within the Pakistani military, if he in fact starts to jeopardize their relative strength relative to India.

Continues at... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/beverly-davis/biden-to-pakistan-restor_b_71210.html

[PSPS]

1. Yeah, sure. Whatever, Joe. Keep signing those blank checks for bushco.

Talk is cheap. Biden is no better than the rest of the democrats.

More political theater.

[jillan]

2. Biden is amazing - he just got off the phone with Bhutto!

He is a true leader.

I wonder if bush has done the same? Doubt it - it probably had Condi do it for him.
He probably doesn't know enough about Pakistan to carry an intelligent conversation about what is going on there.
Just like he didn't know the difference between Sunni and Shia.

[gateley]

3. I just now posting something from Newsweek that said Bush hasn't even

spoken with Musharraf - he told Condi what to say and had her relay the message!

Biden has already spoken with Musharraf AND Bhutto! And if Biden were president, he would have been on the phone HIMSELF in an instant to find out what the hell is going on. I firmly believe that.

[gateley]

4. Here's the link to the article reporting that Bush hasn't spoken with Musharraf

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3688798&mesg_id=3688798

It's pretty short and really horrifying.

[jillan]

5. You're right! It is horrifying. Bush is the President and this is one time when we need him to act

like one.

You know that guy I told you about at the local forum tonite? That's who he reminded me of - bush!
An old man that doesn't have a clue!

[gateley]

6. That's so sad (but I'm laughing). nt