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All eyes on Pakistan

Leonardo Rocha | 10:11 UK time, Monday, 5 November 2007

The last time we talked about Pakistan at length here on the programme it was on the aftermath of the bomb attack against Benazir Bhutto. That was over two weeks ago.

More than were 100 people killed then and a great deal of the enthusiasm from the previous day had turned into a "what next" question.

Well, we know now what came next. Martin and I were here on Saturday, working on the WHYS climate change special from San Francisco.

Towards the end of the show, general Pervez Musharraf went live on TV in Pakistan and announced a state of emergency. But the say they won't give up. So what now for Pakistan?

Is general Musharraf right when he says we cannot Pakistan to achieve in decades what Western countries took centuries do perfect: democracy?

Is general Musharraf only fighting for his political survival or is he trying to save his country from radical Islamist militants?

What do you think? Send us your thoughts.

US REACTION

How should the international community react?

All eyes were on the United States. Would the US pull the plug on the general, a first-hour ally on the fight against the Taliban post-September 11th? Would the US ignore the arrests of human rights activists and political leaders in the opposition in Pakistan?

For now, Bush's government has signalled it will keep billions of dollars in aid flowing to Pakistan.

The main priority is "to protect America and protect American lives by continuing to fight against terrorists". The quote is by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, this weekend.

Do you agree with her? Should we overlook human rights and democracy when it comes to our countries interests?

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