Making A Difference

"Vajpayee Is Taking A General's Approach"

The Pakistan Prime Minister in his first one-to-one interview since assuming power.

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"Vajpayee Is Taking A General's Approach"
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Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is a man of immense grace and simple tastes. Dressed in a beige salwar kameez with a dark-shaded waistcoat, he gets up to greet me with a traditional salaam, in contrast to the handshake that had been in vogue under the military regime. As he raises his hand, I notice he still wears the two rings with huge inlaid stones that he used to during his days as an ordinary politician.

The room where the PM receives me is airy; two French windows overlook the garden where roses are in bloom. Instead of sitting across an imposing desk he takes the sofa, imparting an air of informality. The decor is subtle, none of the outlandish Mughal decor of Nawaz Sharif or those imported crystals of Benazir Bhutto. Upholstery is in subtle shades of raw silk, the only decorative piece a silver artifact with a lapis lazuli set into it—and even this is in an adjoining room where I had to wait a few minutes before being ushered in.

Jamali has brought with him the great Baloch tradition of hospitality; the staff ensures that a glass of juice or a cup of tea is never far away. This is the first one-to-one interview the PM has consented to, declining individual requests even though the state media has reportedly been pestering him to at least make an appearance on television. An aide of Jamali quotes him telling the state media's representative: "What will I tell them? When I have something to say, then I will take such a step".

Jamali hasn't changed a bit since the last time I met him. He's jovial and confident, and for a few fleeting moments, I even forget I am interviewing the country's prime minister. None of his advisors sit with us, nor does he shy away from any question. Simple and straight. As always. This is precisely the attitude he needs to display to take the Opposition along with him.

Afterwards, interview over, as I am about to leave, the prime minister's secretary is ready to usher in a stream of overseas dignitaries. "Give the prime minister some time for lunch," I remark. "I don't eat lunch. I simply work," retorts Jamali. Excerpts from the interview:

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You are one prime minister who has arrived in a scenario which is scary. Internal and external challenges have never been greater; you have a serving chief of army as president, and a slim majority. How do you plan to cope, especially as you have yet to take a vote of confidence in the lower House?
Will this be enough?
How do you visualise the daunting challenge facing you?
So what will you do? Most of the economic policies have been cut and dried with donor agencies by the former military regime.
You mean you think you can deliver?

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India took nearly a week to congratulate you when you became prime minister. It was one of the last countries in the region to do so. Then it played difficult when your government was ready to host the SAARC summit. But in Pakistan's elections, India did not figure at all. It was not even an election issue. How do you explain that?
Are you disappointed?
How keen are you to start the political process?
In recent times, yours is the first government, in contrast to Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif's, to enjoy the backing of the military. Some feel this could enable you to improve relations with India.
You recently had your first high-level exchange with the US, when you met assistant secretary of state Christina Rocca this week. Did relations with India come up?
What kind of impression do you think Christina Rocca took back to Washington?
Do you think you convinced her that you and your government were on the right track?
India has gone hoarse saying that it won't talk to Pakistan unless cross-border infiltration from across the border stops. How is your government going to handle this age-old complaint?
Are you still keen on meeting your Indian counterpart?
One of the few positive aspects of the last military regime was the fact that they more or less tolerated a free media. Will this policy continue?

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