US warned over backing for Musharraf

[TexasLawyer]

Source: The Financial Times

US warned over backing for Musharraf
By Jo Johnson and Farhan Bokhari in Islamabad

Published: June 12 2007 18:43 | Last updated: June 12 2007 18:43

Leaders of Pakistan’s opposition on Tuesday urged the US to push for the restoration of democracy, warning that Washington risked an intensification of anti-American sentiment if it continued to back the military rule of President Pervez Musharraf.

The message, delivered against the backdrop of intensifying popular protests against Gen Musharraf, was targeted at Richard Boucher, US assistant secretary of state, ahead of his expected arrival in Islamabad on Tuesday.

“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 organisation of Pakistan’s 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 to continue justifying a uniformed president heading a democracy. It’s a joke on democracy.”

<snip>


Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/3b49999e-190b-11dc-a961-000b5df10621.html

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Bush LOVES democracy, except when he doesn't.

[Kagemusha]

1. None of this makes the Pakistani opposition our friends though.

Not one tiny bit. Wise to keep that in mind.

[otherlander]

2. Once again we find ourselves on the wrong side of a revolution.

:(

[AndyTiedye]

3. With NUKES at Stake. Not Nukes Maybe-Someday, Nukes Right Now

:nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke: :nuke:

[benh57]

4. Damned if we do, damned if we don't

Wrong side of revolution perhaps, but we kinda need musharraf's cooperation to get at Osama, who is still there.

[Nihil]

6. That'll be the "cooperation to get at Osama" ...

... that you've been benefiting from over the last 5 years or so?

It's almost as good as the cooperation you get from the Saudis ...

:shrug:

[Eugene]

5. U.S. seen balancing support for Pakistan's Musharraf

Source: Reuters

U.S. seen balancing support for Pakistan's Musharraf

By Simon Cameron-Moore
2 hours, 13 minutes ago

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A senior U.S. official visiting
Islamabad this week was expected to offer some support
for President Pervez Musharraf, while staying out of a
crisis brought on by his attempt to oust Pakistan's top judge.

Having arrived in the Pakistani capital overnight, Assistant
Secretary of State Richard Boucher was due to meet Foreign
Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri on Wednesday, and
Musharraf possibly the next day.

Visiting U.S. officials usually focus on the need to intensify
efforts to destroy surviving al Qaeda networks and help
quash a Taliban insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan.

But Boucher's discussions will inevitably also focus on a
crisis brewing ahead of elections due in Pakistan this year.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070613/wl_nm/pakistan_usa_dc