On Southeast Asia Tour,Musharraf Hears StrongWords on Civilian Rule : Mahathir Presses Pakistani on Democracy
International Herald Tribune
March 29, 2000
Thomas Fuller

The prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad, delivered unusually firm words on the importance of democracy Tuesday in a meeting with Pakistan's military leader, General Pervez Musharraf.

The meeting came in the first leg of the Pakistani leader's four-nation tour of Southeast Asia to drum up investment and political support. General Musharraf's next stops are Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

"Democracy is still the best form of government, despite all its flaws," Mr. Mahathir told General Musharraf, according to the Malaysian foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar, who attended the meeting.

The meeting highlighted General Musharraf's difficulties in gaining diplomatic favor since he seized power in October in a nonviolent coup.

The general might have expected a more sympathetic ear from Mr. Mahathir, who has consistently resisted attempts to pressure nondemocratic governments in the region, like that of Burma, which is ruled by the military.

General Musharraf's visit to Kuala Lumpur is seen as important because Malaysia is an influential member of the Commonwealth, the grouping of former British colonies that suspended Pakistan's membership soon after the October coup.

To the general, Mr. Mahathir stressed the importance of a return to civilian rule in Pakistan.

"The prime minister told him that while he may have justification for doing what he has done, ultimately he has to go back to civilian rule and democracy," Mr. Syed Hamid said. "Even with its shortcomings, that system must be adopted. There is no way in the long run that you can justify the military government."

Analysts are puzzled about why Mr. Mahathir, whose political mantra is noninterference in other countries' affairs, would take such a firm stand on the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

The prime minister is not known to base his government's foreign policy on other countries' democratic credentials and frequently speaks about democracy's flaws.

"Mahathir has never been an exponent of Western liberal democracy," said Michael Leifer, director of the Asia Research Center at the London School of Economics. "He's always interpreted democracy to suit his own political context."

The Pakistani leader's visit here comes three days after a visit to Pakistan by President Bill Clinton, whose short stopover there — just seven hours — was viewed as a signal of Washington's displeasure with General Musharraf's military government.

But Mr. Clinton's words in a televised speech Saturday seemed almost apologetic compared with Mr. Mahathir's.

"I know I don't have to tell you all this," Mr. Clinton said in reference to the restoration of democracy. "This is something you know, something you have seen. But I do have hope. I believe Pakistan can make its way through the trouble and build a future worthy of the vision of its founders."

For Pakistan, full reinstatement into the Commonwealth, and support from some of the more affluent Asian countries, are seen as important steps in helping Pakistan revive its troubled economy, which is buried under $32 billion in debt.

The International Monetary Fund has suspended a $1.56 billion lending program to Pakistan since June. General Musharraf told Reuters on Tuesday that discussions with the IMF would resume this June.

In a meeting with Malaysian corporate leaders Tuesday, General Musharraf made the case for "enhanced economic interaction" and underlined Pakistan's importance as a gateway to Central Asia and West Asia.

Mr. Mahathir was also reported to have expressed "hope" that Nawaz Sharif, the deposed Pakistani prime minister, "receive a fair judicial process" in his trial for hijacking, treason and attempted murder.

"Pakistan must ensure that any action they take will not jeopardize their image in the international community," Mr. Mahathir was quoted as saying by Mr. Syed Hamid.

Those words may have resonance in Malaysia, where 19 months ago Mr. Mahathir removed his longtime deputy, Anwar Ibrahim.

Mr. Anwar was arrested, beaten and put on trial for abuse of power, a series of events that opposition leaders here say badly tarnished the country's image.

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