Zardari: An Emerging South Asia Statesman?

The article 'The Terrorists Want to Destroy Pakistan, Too' by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, published in New York Times on December 9, 2008 (and reproduced in The Hindu on December 10) is significant in many ways.

Departing from a usual political cacophony which India and Pakistan would resort to under circumstances like these, he sounded like a statesman, standing a bit taller than his Indian counterparts. Rather than trying to be defensive, or going for a blame game, he admits that terrorism is a reality for Pakistan as much as it is for India. And both are victims of it.

However unstable and uncertain that it may, that Pakistan has turned democratic again is laudable. That there are many within Pakistan who are not very happy with that, and would use every opportunity to weaken that is not a secret. Terrorist activities in Pakistan, and perpetuated across boarders are just attempts in that direction.

It takes a mature and confident politician to say that "…reconciliation and rapprochement is the best revenge against the dark forces that are trying to provoke a confrontation between Pakistan and India…" Repeatedly he reinforces the need for unity, rather than rage in times like these, talks the need for peace and cooperation, and promises action, apart from sympathizing with the victims of 26/11 and their families.

When he says that "Pakistan continues to pay the price: the legacy of dictatorship, the fatigue of fanaticism, the dismemberment of civil society and the destruction of our democratic infrastructure" one is tend to believe that a true leader has emerged in Pakistan, and South Asia.

However, the past of Zardari, blotted with allegations of corruption and murder charges (remember the Mr.10% ?) does not hold much hope, unless he proves that he is a changed man and he learned from the past. Walking his talk and continuing behaving like a statesman could be some of the steps towards proving his transformation.

That the international pressure made him speak and the strategic placement of the article (in NYT) and the timing of it are hard to ignore. By seeing the 26/11 in the context of his personal tragedy of losing Benezir in terrorist attacks, Zardari makes the pain his own. And that makes the article more appealing.

Indian politicians need to reciprocate this, by growing out of being Pakistan bashers. The Pranab Mukherjees and Arun Shouries of Indian politics need to go for a long vipasana, or send them to guard our seas and let sober people deal with this. Their infuriation can only worsen the situation.