thedrifter
08-13-07, 06:46 PM
Musharraf: U.S. will not act alone in Pakistan
By Rohan Sullivan - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 13, 2007 18:04:09 EDT
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s president on Monday vigorously defended his government’s independence from Washington and said he was “200 percent sure” the U.S. would not launch unilateral strikes against terrorists in Pakistan.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism, has seen his popularity plummet as he seeks re-election for another five years. In a nationally televised question-and-answer session with hand-picked guests, he said he was sure upcoming legislative and presidential elections would be free and fair, and ensure economy stability.
The president, who took power in a 1999 coup, has had his standing badly shaken by his widely unpopular bid to oust Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry earlier this year and a surge in attacks and suicide bombings across Pakistan since early July.
Much of the violence has taken place in Pakistan’s tribal region along the border with Afghanistan, where U.S. intelligence officials say al-Qaida and the Taliban are regrouping.
In recent weeks, U.S. presidential hopefuls have said they would consider launching military strikes against terrorists in the region if intelligence warranted it and if Musharraf did not act on his own. U.S. government officials have not ruled out such strikes, which Pakistan views as a potential breach of its sovereignty.
Musharraf said President Bush had assured him of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
“I am fully confident and very sure that there will be no action across the border, and if there is any action it will be taken by Pakistani forces,” he said. “I am 200 percent sure that these threats, there are no threats at the official, government level.”
Musharraf said he would be personally insulted if someone suggested he was serving another country’s interests before Pakistan’s, and cited examples where he had gone against the wishes of the U.S.
These included his refusal to send troops to join the U.S.-led war in Iraq, Pakistan’s recognition of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and its diplomatic relations with Iran.
“We are not confronting terrorism for America,” Musharraf said. “We are doing it for ourselves.”
“I see everything from Pakistan’s point of view. Now, if that, from Pakistan’s point of view, suits America, all right,” he said.
The president was not asked directly about his plans for re-election, or the possibility his government would impose a state of emergency — a move Musharraf backed away from last week after widespread criticism that it would be seen as a power grab motivated by political troubles.
Separately, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the government does not want to impose a state of emergency right now, but has not ruled out the measure for the future.
“At the moment we have no desire to impose any emergency, and for further action we have to see the situation and decide what response is needed,” Aziz told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview late Sunday.
Musharraf’s bid to remove Chaudhry, an independent-minded judge who is likely to rule on legal challenges to Musharraf’s re-election bid, backfired when it drew large street demonstrations against the government and calls for greater democracy.
Chaudhry was eventually reinstated by the Supreme Court, and Musharraf repeated Monday that he accepted the court’s decision.
Asked indirectly about the controversy, Musharraf conceded that, “There has been a decrease in popularity, yes, I agree with that.” He said he took responsibility for accepting bad advice, without saying about what.
Ellie
By Rohan Sullivan - The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Aug 13, 2007 18:04:09 EDT
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s president on Monday vigorously defended his government’s independence from Washington and said he was “200 percent sure” the U.S. would not launch unilateral strikes against terrorists in Pakistan.
Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a key U.S. ally in the fight against terrorism, has seen his popularity plummet as he seeks re-election for another five years. In a nationally televised question-and-answer session with hand-picked guests, he said he was sure upcoming legislative and presidential elections would be free and fair, and ensure economy stability.
The president, who took power in a 1999 coup, has had his standing badly shaken by his widely unpopular bid to oust Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry earlier this year and a surge in attacks and suicide bombings across Pakistan since early July.
Much of the violence has taken place in Pakistan’s tribal region along the border with Afghanistan, where U.S. intelligence officials say al-Qaida and the Taliban are regrouping.
In recent weeks, U.S. presidential hopefuls have said they would consider launching military strikes against terrorists in the region if intelligence warranted it and if Musharraf did not act on his own. U.S. government officials have not ruled out such strikes, which Pakistan views as a potential breach of its sovereignty.
Musharraf said President Bush had assured him of Pakistan’s sovereignty.
“I am fully confident and very sure that there will be no action across the border, and if there is any action it will be taken by Pakistani forces,” he said. “I am 200 percent sure that these threats, there are no threats at the official, government level.”
Musharraf said he would be personally insulted if someone suggested he was serving another country’s interests before Pakistan’s, and cited examples where he had gone against the wishes of the U.S.
These included his refusal to send troops to join the U.S.-led war in Iraq, Pakistan’s recognition of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, and its diplomatic relations with Iran.
“We are not confronting terrorism for America,” Musharraf said. “We are doing it for ourselves.”
“I see everything from Pakistan’s point of view. Now, if that, from Pakistan’s point of view, suits America, all right,” he said.
The president was not asked directly about his plans for re-election, or the possibility his government would impose a state of emergency — a move Musharraf backed away from last week after widespread criticism that it would be seen as a power grab motivated by political troubles.
Separately, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the government does not want to impose a state of emergency right now, but has not ruled out the measure for the future.
“At the moment we have no desire to impose any emergency, and for further action we have to see the situation and decide what response is needed,” Aziz told Dow Jones Newswires in an interview late Sunday.
Musharraf’s bid to remove Chaudhry, an independent-minded judge who is likely to rule on legal challenges to Musharraf’s re-election bid, backfired when it drew large street demonstrations against the government and calls for greater democracy.
Chaudhry was eventually reinstated by the Supreme Court, and Musharraf repeated Monday that he accepted the court’s decision.
Asked indirectly about the controversy, Musharraf conceded that, “There has been a decrease in popularity, yes, I agree with that.” He said he took responsibility for accepting bad advice, without saying about what.
Ellie