US warned over backing Mushararraf
US warned over backing Mushararraf
By Jo Johnson and Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: June 13 2007 03:00 | Last updated: June 13 2007 03:00
Leaders of Pakistan's opposition urged Washington last night to push for the restoration of democracy, warning it risked intensified anti-US sentiment if it continued to back the military rule of President Pervez Musharraf.
The message, delivered amid growing popular protests against Gen Musharraf, was aimed at Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state, who was due to arrive in Islamabad.
"This is a defining moment in the history of this country," said Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, secretary-general of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, an umbrella group of mainstream opposition parties.
"When Boucher comes, the US must make a strong statement demanding the return of democracy. It's not possible for the US tocontinue justifying a uniformed president heading a democracy. It's a joke on democracy."
Although this week's searing heat, at times topping 50°C (122°F) in Lahore, has kept the crowds off the streets, the government remains shaken by the scale of protests against Gen Musharraf's March 9 suspension of Iftikhar Chaudhary, the chief justice.
Analysts say any signal from Washington of unconditional support could encourage Gen Musharraf to impose a state of emergency.
The International Crisis Group, an advocacy group, said: "Should this happen, Pakistanis would perceive the US as an impediment to, rather than a supporter of, democracy, and it would lose all remaining vestiges of credibility in the country."
The opposition parties have also been calling on the US to press Gen Musharraf not to meddle in the government's Supreme Court case against Mr Chaudhary.
They urged Mr Boucher to call on Gen Musharraf to abandon his plan to have himself re-elected president by the existing parliament.
Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, said last week that Washington was "encouraging [Gen Musharraf] to use the upcoming elections to make sure that they are done democratically, free and fair, that opposition is brought in".
Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, the exiled former prime ministers who lead the largest parties, face arrest if they return before the parliamentary elections unless they agree to support Gen Musharraf.
Since September 11 2001, say western diplomats, the main US priority has beento bolster Pakistan's capabilities as an ally in the war on terror.
By Jo Johnson and Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2007
Published: June 13 2007 03:00 | Last updated: June 13 2007 03:00
Leaders of Pakistan's opposition urged Washington last night to push for the restoration of democracy, warning it risked intensified anti-US sentiment if it continued to back the military rule of President Pervez Musharraf.
The message, delivered amid growing popular protests against Gen Musharraf, was aimed at Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state, who was due to arrive in Islamabad.
"This is a defining moment in the history of this country," said Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, secretary-general of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, an umbrella group of mainstream opposition parties.
"When Boucher comes, the US must make a strong statement demanding the return of democracy. It's not possible for the US tocontinue justifying a uniformed president heading a democracy. It's a joke on democracy."
Although this week's searing heat, at times topping 50°C (122°F) in Lahore, has kept the crowds off the streets, the government remains shaken by the scale of protests against Gen Musharraf's March 9 suspension of Iftikhar Chaudhary, the chief justice.
Analysts say any signal from Washington of unconditional support could encourage Gen Musharraf to impose a state of emergency.
The International Crisis Group, an advocacy group, said: "Should this happen, Pakistanis would perceive the US as an impediment to, rather than a supporter of, democracy, and it would lose all remaining vestiges of credibility in the country."
The opposition parties have also been calling on the US to press Gen Musharraf not to meddle in the government's Supreme Court case against Mr Chaudhary.
They urged Mr Boucher to call on Gen Musharraf to abandon his plan to have himself re-elected president by the existing parliament.
Condoleezza Rice, the US secretary of state, said last week that Washington was "encouraging [Gen Musharraf] to use the upcoming elections to make sure that they are done democratically, free and fair, that opposition is brought in".
Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, the exiled former prime ministers who lead the largest parties, face arrest if they return before the parliamentary elections unless they agree to support Gen Musharraf.
Since September 11 2001, say western diplomats, the main US priority has beento bolster Pakistan's capabilities as an ally in the war on terror.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 9:34 AM
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