Author: Andrew Gimson
Publication: The Telegraph
Date: December 8, 2004
URL: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=OPPPXW12GE0QFQFIQMFCM5WAVCBQYJVC?xml=/news/2004/12/08/nsket08.xml&secureRefresh=true&_requestid=92189
Labour MPs yesterday hailed a leader
of outstanding courage who has placed his country in the forefront of the
war on terror.
The days are long gone when Tony
Blair could expect such an obsequious welcome, but his party is still willing
to acclaim in this way a general who in 1999 seized power in a bloodless
coup.
General Pervaiz Musharraf, the President
of Pakistan, addressed a large gathering of MPs and peers in the splendid
surroundings of committee room 14 at the House of Commons.
The general disappointed some of
us by appearing in civilian dress, but still posed intractable problems
for those of us who seek, in no matter how humble a capacity, to do what
we can to spread peace and friendship among the nations.
For we could not help reflecting
that if Peter Sellers had ever made a film about a general with a disarmingly
high opinion of his own abilities who has rescued his country by taking
over from the politicians, a character such as Gen Musharraf might have
emerged.
This column's protocol committee
met in emergency session to decide what, if any, liberties can be taken
when describing a visiting head of state from a Commonwealth country who
was widely dismissed before September 11, 2001 as a tinpot dictator but
has since become the good friend and indispensable ally of George Bush
and Mr Blair.
Late last night the committee ruled
that our ancient tradition of showing hospitality to despots - said by
the Foreign Office to be on our side - must at all costs be upheld, which
in practical terms means that expressions such as "the Clouseau of Karachi"
should be used sparingly if at all.
The general undertook to tell us
about democracy in Pakistan. He said: "In 1999 when I took over the country
the economy was in a state of collapse.democracy was dysfunctional.we set
about restructuring Pakistan and I am proud to say we have turned it round.Our
stock exchange is the best performing in the world.We have evolved a holistic
strategy. What I have managed is to give a direction to a ship that was
rudderless."
Gen Musharraf added that it was
essential to solve the Kashmir problem, which he intended to do "with the
strategy of enlightened moderation". Pakistan must remain united, so he
would continue (despite earlier promises to the contrary) to hold "the
two offices of president and army chief until 2007".
A number of Labour MPs saluted Gen
Musharraf's courage, with Tom Cox (Tooting) telling him: "You have brought
respect back to Pakistan, respect throughout the world.it took a great
deal of courage, but you are the man with that courage and we are delighted
that you are with us today."
But Mr Cox is almost unknown in
the Commons, and many of the MPs and peers who had swelled the audience
had left the room before the distinguished visitor finished talking.
