PICTURE SPEAK

Our September 14, 2004 cover on Musharraf

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf is one of the most fascinating and unique politicians of our times. His track record proves it: in 1999, he deposed the man who appointed him as army chief and made himself President of Pakistan. After exiling the leaders of his country's two major parties and emasculating the opposition, he sponsored the King's Party and ensured its victory in the 2002 general elections. He then amended the Constitution, gave the President unparalleled powers and refused to shed his uniform. Although a dictator he disguised himself as a democrat albeit of a bonsai democracy.

The Americans now look upon him as the vanguard of their war on terror. Paradoxically, India believes that his government is the chief sponsor of militancy in Kashmir. The fundamentalists in Pakistan hate him for being a moderate while the liberals regard him as an autocrat. He is the man responsible for waging the last war of India but now comes here as a messenger of peace.

In the past few years, I have seen him at close quarters on various occasions and have always been impressed. He has a sharp, analytical mind and comes across as being clear-headed, blunt and fearless. He also displays the nimble-footedness and cunning of a commando, which he is by training. He has changed his stance on many occasions but each time he appears to be sincere.

For India, Musharraf has always been a conundrum. We have long debated whether we can trust him and do business with him. In 2001, braggadocio sent him back empty-handed from the Agra summit. This time around though, Musharraf's body language is far more relaxed, far less aggressive. His unusual rapport with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has led to path-breaking initiatives which have put the peace process on the fast track. The most radical of these is the concept of soft borders across the loc. At the end of the visit, with characteristic candour, Musharraf declared: "Main naya dil laya hoon."

However, his track record leads us to ask the question on our cover this week-Is this change of heart for real? Managing Editor Raj Chengappa in Delhi and journalist Syed Talat Hussain in Islamabad posed the questions to both establishments. Also in the package, an exclusive column by former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

We must remember that the peace process is fragile and will remain so until the two sides can reduce the trust deficit between them. It is good to keep in mind the advice of former Israeli prime minister Yitzak Rabin who once said, "You don't make peace with your friends. You make it with very unsavoury enemies."

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