Pakistan Elections: Zardari's Drive to the Embassy

I think NYT is making too much of Asif Zardari visiting the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. IF anything it indicates he is still a sophomore and the Ambassador Anne Petersen's insensitivity and lack of diplomacy.

This is on the surface.

However, if as TeethMaestro reported on his blog that Zardari went there to also meet with a Musharraf aide, then the drive assumes a different colour. A Zardari spokesperson later denied that this was the case.

Pakistani Victors Say They Agree on Coalition By JANE PERLEZ and CARLOTTA GALL

The impression that the United States was meddling in what many here complain is none of its business was fortified Wednesday when Mr. Zardari was summoned to the American Embassy for a meeting with the ambassador, Anne W. Patterson.

Afterward, Mr. Zardari was portrayed as a creature of the Americans who wanted him to work with Mr. Musharraf, a negative perception for a politician in a country where recent polls show the United States has a favorable rating of just 16 percent.

An article in the newspaper, The News, on Thursday by the journalist Mariana Baabar said: “Eyebrows were raised as to why Zardari, in his present position when his party has received the people’s mandate, felt it necessary to drive all the way and call on the U.S. envoy.”

The writer continued: “Have you ever heard of or seen India’s Sonia Gandhi going to the American Embassy while in the opposition?” The correct protocol, Pakistanis said, was for Ms. Patterson to visit Mr. Zardari.