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Here are excerpts from Gen. Musharraf's recent lectures in the US:
On violence and terrorism:
"Terrorism is the menace for the whole world and we have to defeat it, whatever it costs."
"Don't be stuck in the short-term solution. Go for the root."
"We must avoid, as much as possible, casualties. But when soldiers move and armies act, casualties will be there, and we should accept casualties."
"The country [Afghanistan] will become the centre of all Al Qaeda sanctuaries and consequently could extend its influence into Pakistan and possibly even India."
"Military will not provide peace alone.... I am a man of war, but I am a man for peace."
"...the people of Pakistan felt used by the Americans and this is why Pakistanis dislike the US and this war."
On the Muslim World:
"Genocide in Bosnia and Kosovo, conflict in Afghanistan, upheaval in Chechnya and blunder in Iraq. This all is happening in the Muslim World...this is the root cause of terrorism and extremism."
"Amongst the Muslims there is a feeling/perception that they are being targeted by design and within the non-Muslim world there is a perception that Islam is a religion of terrorism and extremism. Both are wrong. This is the issue of political disputes leading to inter faith disharmony and the root cause of terrorism."
On the US:
"He [President Obama] is saying the right things. He wants to focus more on Afghanistan, compared to Iraq, which is the right strategy at this moment. He wants to reach out to the Muslims."
"From 1979 to 1989, we fought a war with the US in Afghanistan against the Soviet Union. And we won mainly because of ISI. Otherwise, the Soviet Union could not have been defeated in Afghanistan. But then the US left us all alone with 30,000 mujahedeen brought by them. Even Osama bin Laden was brought by the US, who else? They all came to fight the Soviet Union. So, did anybody in Washington develop a strategy for what to do with these people after 1989?"
On Pakistan:
"Well, I give thought to what is happening in Pakistan. And I give thought to what the people of Pakistan desire, and I also give thought to whether I can do anything for Pakistan. Collectively, I have to make a decision based on all these three elements."
"Well, these are realities which one has to face. But, however, I am very sure of one thing - that whatever I have done till now, constitutionally and legally, there is no charge against me."
"I did no wrong. So I will not give apologies. I have followed certain principles. I have a character of my own and why should I apologise on doing something right. Since I cannot contribute to Pakistan, why should I be there?"
"The environment is certainly tribal and feudal. But the politics of Pakistan needs fresh blood."
"We need to go for deals-deals with the Pashtun, the elements in that tribal area so that we wean them away from the Taliban supporters there. We need to go for deals, that is the political strategy in Pakistan"
"...they [Pakistanis] do not accept this war as their war. This has something to do with history."
On democracy and leadership:
"...to ensure the security, progress and development of the state for the well-being of the people."
"Your people must love and respect you and never be scared of you."
"Boldness to give.... An agreement implies give and take. It cannot be take and take."
"I take pride in declaring that I introduced the essence of democracy in Pakistan."
On Indo-Pak relations:
"Involvement and meddling in each othe's affairs should be stopped."
"26/11 attacks in Mumbai, India - we should cooperate fully.
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