Praise, But What Did He Get In Return?

Bush was effusive about Gen. Musharraf, that paragon of democracy:

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President Bush yesterday offered his strongest support of embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying the general "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy." Bush was asked in the interview if there is any line Musharraf should not cross. "He hasn't crossed the line. As a matter of fact, I don't think that he will cross any lines," Bush replied, according to an ABC transcript. ". . . We didn't necessarily agree with his decision to impose emergency rule, and . . . hopefully he'll get . . . rid of the rule. Today, I thought, was a pretty good signal, that he released thousands of people from jail." [Bush More Emphatic In Backing Musharraf - WaPo]

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What did Gen. Musharraf promise Bush that he would do? We may not know anytime soon, but it may have something do with allowing American forces to secure nuclear weapons and material, and probably allowing American forces to cross Afghan-Pakistan border to fight Taliban and al-Qaida terrorists. While we may find out eventually what deal was stuck, Bush, and the American administration, has once again showed that democracy and public opinion (in the brutalized country) will always take a back seat to American national interest. Always.