Musharraf on "Western intellectual arrogance" and "totally absurd" allegations he can't be trusted

[Amerigo Vespucci]

DAVOS, Switzerland (CNN) -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf lashed out Thursday at what he called Western "intellectual arrogance" toward his country, angrily dismissing claims that rising unpopularity has undermined his authority.

He also dismissed allegations that he cannot be trusted to hold free and fair elections as "totally absurd."

Musharraf, who was forced to impose a state of emergency last year to quell violent protests but failed to prevent the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, sought to defend his embattled leadership and record in combating terrorism.

"The mandate has been given. Why doesn't the West, which is supposed to be civilized, understand things?" Musharraf told CNN in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/01/24/musharraf.interview/index.html

[thunder rising]

1. I insist I am just like George Bush, except I can kill my own people and political opponents to

retain power. He would do the same and in fact may yet.

[lurky]

2. "The West's obsession with democracy"

I heard him complaining about that yesterday. :eyes: