Pakistanis eye US presidential candidates
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — A Pakistani wish list for the next U.S. president might read something like this: an end to cross-border strikes on militants, more aid for the country's battered economy and greater support for its elected government.
But few people here expect to be satisfied whoever enters the White House — a sign of the difficulties ahead for the U.S. in winning public sympathy at a critical time in the war on terrorism.
Pakistanis, many of whom speak English well, have been treated to considerable coverage of the U.S. race via local newspapers and television channels. Few, however, are seeing substantive differences between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
"Maybe Obama appears harsher, but McCain is sugarcoating the same bitter pill," said Anwar Mahmood, a small business owner among many ordinary Pakistanis, analysts and politicians interviewed by Associated Press reporters across the country.
Dealing with nuclear-armed Pakistan and the spillover of the Afghanistan war into its territory is one of the biggest foreign policy challenges awaiting the next president.
With the Taliban resurgent in Afghanistan, the U.S. is pushing Pakistan to eliminate militant bases on its side of the border and has carried out a surge of missile strikes against suspected al-Qaida and Taliban targets.
Pakistan is battling rising terrorist violence of its own, underscored by last month's bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad that killed 54 people.
The Muslim nation of 170 million is hit by soaring inflation, food costs and deficits, while the government — less than seven months old — is still struggling to establish its authority.
Obama has openly supported U.S. strikes in the lawless and rugged border region, and has questioned whether Pakistan has done enough to fight militants despite receiving more than $10 billion in U.S. aid since 2001.
McCain says engaging Pakistanis is vital to defeating extremists, and that cross-border strikes shouldn't be discussed "out loud."
His vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, raised eyebrows when she appeared to endorse Obama's more hawkish tone on Pakistan. McCain was forced to defend the remark, saying it was not meant to be taken as a policy statement.
"I don't see much difference in essence in their approaches, so I don't see any change in the policy, whoever comes to power," said Khalid Mahmood, a longtime Pakistani diplomat.
Many fear the financial crisis roiling America could mean a drop in aid and trade with Pakistan.
"Things are going to be worse for Pakistan in the post-election scenario," predicted Irum Khan, a 28-year-old psychologist in Karachi. "The new U.S. government will face immense financial pressure and they will not be able to look after Pakistani interests, financial or political."
Obama has several advantages in Pakistani eyes.
He is a Democrat, offering hope for a fresh American foreign policy after eight years of President Bush, who is deeply unpopular in Pakistan.
The notion of a U.S. president with African roots is attractive to many Pakistanis, who believe he may be more receptive to developing world concerns.
Some like Obama because they believe — incorrectly — that he is Muslim.
McCain is seen as too close to Bush, but his less aggressive stance on the cross-border operations has been noted, while his foreign policy experience and military background are also cited as pluses.
"He is right in saying it is impossible to win the war on terror without the support of the people of Pakistan," said Shahid Rana, a lawyer in Lahore.
Pakistan government officials have been careful not to publicly support one candidate versus the other, noting they'll have to work with the winner, whoever he is.
Farzana Raja, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan People's Party, said the next U.S. president should support democracy in Pakistan, something that would be helped by more economic aid.
The Bush administration supported Pervez Musharraf, a one-time army chief who took power in a 1999 military coup. He quit Pakistan's presidency in August to avoid impeachment.
Cutting off aid "will not combat the terrorism in our country," Raja added.
Pakistanis are savvy enough to distinguish between election rhetoric and the realities of office.
"The real face will emerge after either of them comes into power," said Ahsan Saeed, a 45-year-old from Karachi.
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