Pakistanis denounce Zardari & Pentagon offensive
By
Deirdre Griswold
New York
Published May 16, 2009 8:21 AM
Inside the Roosevelt Hotel in busy midtown Manhattan on May 10, Pakistani
President Asif Ali Zardari was trying to reassure some 300 members of the
expatriate community that his just-completed visit to Washington was not a
capitulation to U.S. pressure.
May 10 protest, NYC.
WW photo: John Catalinotto
|
But outside, a vigorous demonstration denounced the bloody government offensive
in the Swat Valley that has caused more than half a million Pakistanis to flee
their homes. In speeches and chants, delivered in Pashtun and other Pakistani
languages as well as in English, the crowd of Pakistanis and their U.S.
supporters assailed the brutal bombings by the Pakistan Air Force, pointing out
that every bomb and bullet was supplied by the Pentagon.
When the meeting in the hotel ended, a group of more formally dressed
Pakistanis emerged who had been inside. They were furious at Zardari for
“begging” for U.S. money and for walking out of the meeting before
they could address him with their questions and comments. A dozen joined the
demonstration and denounced the Pakistani president to the crowd and the media
cameras.
In Washington on May 7, Zardari had pledged at a joint news conference with
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. Sens. John Kerry and Richard Lugar that
Pakistan would continue the offensive until it had defeated the
“terrorists.”
He was using language created in Washington to describe Islamic forces opposed
to the U.S. occupation of neighboring Afghanistan. To the people living in the
border areas, however, the terrorists are those who send Predator and Raptor
drones to launch Hellfire missiles into their homes and villages. For over a
year, these pilotless planes sent by the Pentagon have rained down death and
suffering on villagers in northwest Pakistan. The generals and the Western
media then claim another victory against “terrorism.”
The anguish this has caused was apparent on the faces of the diverse group of
Pakistanis. They came from various ethnic groups and expressed different
political and religious views, but all called for an end to foreign
interference in their country and a cessation of the military offensive.
A sizeable solidarity delegation from the International Action Center and
Workers World Party came in support of the demonstration. Speakers emphasized
that U.S. imperialism has been behind a long string of military dictatorships
in Pakistan that have left the country divided between a highly privileged few
versus an impoverished population.
They also addressed passersby on the street, pointing out how the billions of
dollars spent to make Pakistan an ally of the Pentagon contribute to the
growing impoverishment of the people here at home.
The demonstration was called by the Pakistan-U.S. Freedom Forum, which has been
tireless in organizing the community against repression in their home country.
Articles copyright 1995-2012 Workers World.
Verbatim copying and distribution of this entire article is permitted in any medium without royalty provided this notice is preserved.
Workers World, 55 W. 17 St., NY, NY 10011
Email:
ww@workers.org
Subscribe
wwnews-subscribe@workersworld.net
Support independent news
DONATE