Prime minister discusses democracy
Campus Times
May 16, 1997
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benezir Bhutto is applauded by University
of La Verne President Stephen Morgan (left) and Dr. Ahmed Ispahani, professor
of business administration and economics, and Bhutto's cousin.
Receiving a warm welcome from the University of La Verne, the former
prime minister of Pakistan, Benezir Bhutto, spoke to a crowded room of students
as well as administrators on Monday, May 12, in the Howell Board Room.
She is the first prime minister to visit ULV and she opened by expressing
her feelings of nostalgia when she walked through the University remembering
her days at Cambridge.
President Stephen Morgan, Dr. William Relf, dean of the School of Business
and Global Studies, and Dr. John Jang, professor of history and government,
were among those who sat before her, welcoming her to the University.
Bhutto was introduced by her cousin, Dr. Ahmed Ispahani, professor of
business administration and economics, who spoke excitedly about his admiration
for her. "She's the first in almost everything," he said recounting
all of her accomplishments.
She attended Harvard Radcliffe and Oxford, where she became the first
woman on the debate team and the first woman student body president. Bhutto
was elected twice as the Pakistan prime minister by popular vote.
She chose to speak on her experiences with the Pakistan government because
she said it "is also the example of a new democracy and what a new
democracy faces."
Pakistan, she said, was formed in 1947 and "only one government
in Pakistan has completed an office." That office, she remarked, was
the government of her father. There have been four presidents in the last
eight years who have not served full terms.
Bhutto said that this causes the people of a nation to no longer trust
the government and without political stability nations cannot grow.
Feeling that she had been cheated out of two elections Bhutto told numerous
stories of when she knew poll stuffing was apparent. "The rigging takes
place after the polls closes,"she said.
If there are no fair elections, she said, the people will seek alternative
ways of change.
"The heart of democracy is fair elections," Bhutto said. For
fair elections to occur there must be an immediate count. In the 1990 elections
in Pakistan she said it was hours before the votes were even counted.
According to Bhutto, voters' lists need to also be typed out and available
for everyone so there is no confusion over who can vote.
A firm believer in "natural justice," Bhutto did not let the
poll rigging disturb her quest to create a government that would be successful.
The subject then turned to economics. "We were dependent for too
long on foreign aid," she said speaking on Pakistan's change to become
a democratic nation.
"Democracies in transition are going to go through a difficult
period," she said explaining the huge amount of urban discontent that
developed.
"It is not democracy which has failed, but world order."
Bhutto believes in practicing demand management economics because of
the huge debt Pakistan has accrued. She believes supply side economics will
only delve them deeper into debt.
To get a country out of debt, Bhutto emphasizes that one must document
the economy and tax the people.
At the end of Bhutto's first term she knocked the deficit down by three
points. The growth rate tripled from two percent to six percent, creating
jobs in both Pakistan and the United States.
"I believe one fights elections because one wants to lead a nation,"
she than said.
Surprisingly candid, Bhutto shared her experiences of where she had
to face media trials and accusations of being corrupt.
"I want to be judged on record, not on slurs," she said.
Ending on the subject of the World Trade Organization, she laughed realizing
she had almost extended her time. "I was told to give only a 10 minute
presentation," she said apologizing.
When asked on how optimistic she was on the future of Pakistan and other
developing nations she replied, "I think democracy in its greatest
triumph faces it's greatest threat." Because there is no aid people
must be able to teach global knowledge on transition and dealing with corruption.
With enthusiastic applause from the audience, Bhutto finished taking
all questions. The business fraternity then presented her with an honorary
membership.
Thankfully she laughed and told the students, "The days I went
to college there was only men in fraternities."
President Morgan then stood to say a few words of appreciation. Students
were also able to get autographs and pictures taken with the former prime
minister after the speech.