US official hosts ‘results watch’

Islamabad

To view the results of the presidential election in the United States, Deputy Chief of Mission Ambassador Richard Hoagland hosted a ‘results watch’ at his residence that began at 6 a.m. and ended at 12 noon on Wednesday.

Dozens of Pakistanis mingled with the embassy staff during this period and were as keen to see the results on the large television screens that had been set up in the lawn as were the Americans. It made you wonder if the same enthusiasm would be shown when Pakistan holds its elections next year!

Parking outside the venue saw vehicles parked way down the road and in all spaces that were not ‘out of bounds’ with vigilant traffic police seeing to it that no one violated the ‘no parking’ rules. Many TV news channels had their vans parked outside the gate and were relaying live footage of the occasion.

There was an air of excitement as results came in confirm the news that was already known to most persons that Obama had won his second term of office. An election paraphernalia was available on tables for guests to pick up — pamphlets on election procedures; stickers; badges, paper hand fans, all with the symbols of both political parties printed on them — elephants for the Republicans and donkeys for the Democrats. These two symbols drew some humorous remarks from those who favoured one or the other but it was all in good fun and I guess it also was an indication of a bit of disappointment on one side.

Two larger than life cardboard cutouts of both candidates tempted photograph buffs to stand between them to capture the moment of the occasion.

A few Americans dressed in regalia depicting symbols of the US — Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty among them were also caught the attention of photographers and happily obliged.

Pakistanis on the whole were as divided about the election as were the Americans — a few hoping the Democrats would win, while most others were rooting for the Republicans because traditionally, Republicans have been more favoured in Pakistan as was indicated by a gentleman who had just returned from the US. “I was hoping Romney would win,” said “He seemed more inclined towards Pakistan than Obama.” Others said the policy of both towards Pakistan was the same so it made no difference.

Arrangements had been made for breakfast and brunch with juice; potato cutlets; scrambled eggs; doughnuts and cookies; tea and coffee which were available throughout for guests to partake of especially when they were the early birds to arrive. Discussion about the pros and cons of the election will go on for some time to come but for this morning in Islamabad there were some happy persons and some disappointed ones!

Posted in: Islamabad