Where ISN’T there a crisis? And why are we involved or somehow responsible for every one of them? Oh yah……His Highnieness got us here. I guess this is what you get when you back a dictator. Oh….and why is this dictator ok, but others aren’t? And this one ALREADY has access to the nuclear button. Guess we don’t want to piss him off now, do we.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A senior U.S. envoy gave strong backing to the government of Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Friday, but balanced it with a call for more democracy amid growing opposition to his eight-year rule.

Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte was visiting as Musharraf faces street protests for suspending the country’s chief justice and as U.S. lawmakers question American backing for a military leader reluctant to yield power to civilians.

After talks with Musharraf and other senior officials, Negroponte praised Pakistan’s front-line role in fighting terrorism, in which it has captured scores of al-Qaida suspects and lost hundreds of soldiers battling militants.

The message he delivered “is one of strong friendship and trust for and with the government and the people of Pakistan. We believe we have an excellent partnership,” Negroponte told reporters.

Washington has been steadfast in its public support for Musharraf, making clear that the global fight against al-Qaida as well as the war in neighboring Afghanistan take priority.

More at the International Herald Tribune