Would you support a popular uprising in Pakistan?
Peter Dobbie here.....
HOW MUCH SUPPORT IS THERE FOR AN UPRISING IN PAKISTAN ?
The former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has issued what looks like an ultimatum to President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule. She repeated plans for a rally on Friday, despite an official ban, and called for a "long march" next week unless General Musharraf changes course. This is something that we've touched on, on the show during this week: the idea that the crisis in Pakistan would enter new territory if there are calls for street protests, and if there's enough popular support. The authorities have warned that police will not allow Friday's demonstration in Rawalpindi, the country's main garrison town, to go ahead. The city's mayor, Javed Akhlas, said: "We will ensure that they don't violate the ban on rallies, and if they do it, the government will take action according to the law."
So what do we think that means ? Demonstrators clashing with police ? What kind of political game is Ms Bhutto playing ? Is she testing the waters, to see how much support she has ? What will the lawyers do ? Let us know your feelings.
FORGIVE US, WE GOT IT WRONG
Also today, Uganda. A representative for the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army rebels has asked war victims in the north of the country to forgive them. "The LRA made plenty of mistakes and I ask for forgiveness for what happened to our people," visiting LRA spokesman Martin Ojul told a local radio station. The archbishop of Gulu, the northern town where the LRA delegation is holding talks, told the Ö÷²¥´óÐã forgiveness is key to solving the two-decade war. An estimated 1.5m people still remain in displacement camps in the north and thousands were killed during the fighting. The LRA built a reputation for mutilating their victims and kidnapping thousands of children to serve as fighters, porters and sex slaves.
So, is that it ? Is it that simple ? Commit these kind of acts for years, and then turn round and say "forgive us" ? How does that work ? Is forgiveness part of healing ? Does it last longer than revenge ?
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