Zardari's lack of manners shocks Americans

"The president of your country is a jerk," an astute eyewitness who observed Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's behavior at the U.S. Capitol last week told a reporter from Pakistan.

Zardari along with Afghan president Hamid Karzai attended a reception hosted by Senator John F. Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but showed extreme lack of etiquettes and common courtesies.

One person who was at the table where Zardari ate his lunch was shocked when a waiter presented him bread.

When offered bred at the table, without saying thanks Zardari said, "I will take it only if it is warm." He then touched the bread and after feeling it with his fingers, did not pick it up which is considered extremely rude in Western societies.

At other times he was putting his elbow on the table and cupping his chin with the back of his hands.

Many Americans have a hard time believing he is the spouse of Harvard educated slain premier Benazir Bhutto.

"I can't believe Benazir Bhutto married this man," the eyewitness said.

Zardari clearly wanted U.S. monies.

"The Taliban killed my wife. When I go home she is not there. We need your help to fight the Taliban," Zardari told his American hosts at the Capitol, without mentioning that the Taliban was put in power in Kabul by his country's I.S.I. and continue to be the "B" Team of the Pakistan army.

Bhutto had clearly mentioned Brigadier Ejaz Shah, an official of the Pakistani secret services, was plotting to kill her but Zardari did not institute even an inquiry against Shah.

At another point, Zardari was seen using his fingers to pick his teeth after eating food.

Zardari is son of a medium size Sindh landlord, Hakim Ali Zardari, who was considered a spineless politician in Sindh always fearful of Pakistan's omnipotent army.

Many big landlords from Sindh like the Bhuttos, Chandios, Jatois, Kehars, Soomros, Talpurs send their youngsters for education abroad -- Zardari's spouse slain premier Benazir Bhutto and late father-in-law Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged by the army in April 1979 on flimsy grounds, were both foreign educated.

But Zardari did not even graduate from a Pakistani institution.

During her lifetime, Benazir Bhutto had a put a gag order on him. It was primarily Zalmay Khalilzad, former US ambassador the UN -- who was called the Viceroy for Afghanistan and Pakistan -- who helped get Zardari saddled in the Pakistani presidency.

In contrast, the Americans were impressed by the dignified and stately demeanor of Afghan President Hamid Karzai.