Musharraf Is Expected to Resign in Next Few Days

[dkf]

By JANE PERLEZ
Published: August 14, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Faced with desertions by his political supporters and the neutrality of the Pakistani military, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, an important ally of the United States, is expected to resign in the next few days rather than face impeachment charges, Pakistani politicians and Western diplomats said Thursday.

His departure from office is likely to unleash new instability in the country as the two main parties in the civilian government jockey for the division of power.

The details of how Mr. Musharraf would exit, and whether he would be able to stay in Pakistan — apparently his strong preference — or would seek residency abroad were now under discussion, the politicians said.

Mr. Musharraf was expected to resign before the coalition presented charges for impeachment to the Parliament early next week, said Nisar Ali Khan, a senior official in the Pakistani Muslim League-N, the minority partner in the coalition government.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/15/world/asia/15pstan.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[blondeatlast]

1. Uh-oh. At least McSame doesn't have lobbyist ties there, so maybe he'll stay out of this time-bomb,

which is a WAY bigger threat to US interests than Russia/Georgia.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. "At least McSame doesn't have lobbyist ties there ............"

......... that we know of ..... so far.

[bobd0]

4. Oh, we know of McCain lobbyists and Pakistan

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/sheunemann_helped_pakistan_get.php

Sheunemann Helped Pakistan Get In Good Favor With U.S.

By Andrew Tilghman - July 24, 2008, 4:25PM

A story in the New York Times today reports that the U.S. is planing to buy a new fleet of F-16 jet fighters for Pakistan.

Apparently the Bush administration wants to use nearly $230 million in "counter-terrorism money." That's an awfully broad definition of counter terrorism.

Nevertheless, the report underscores how U.S. relations with Pakistan have come around 180 degrees since Sept. 11, 2001, when the U.S. still had harsh words and economic sanctions for the country that had tested a nuclear bomb in 1998. Back then we used to consider President Pervez Musharraf a military dictator who'd overthrown a democratically elected government.

It was a small team of lobbyists who helped lead Pakistan back into our good graces. We told you last week that Stephen Payne was among them. And we were reminded this week that Randy Scheunemann, Sen. John McCain's top foreign policy adviser, was also helping out a few years ago, too.

Scheunemann was head of the two-man lobbying shop called Orion Strategies back in 2002 when they signed on to lobby for International Business & Energy Development Corp., a firm run by Payne.

According to lobbying disclosure reports, Scheunemann was "monitoring" a bill providing assistance to Pakistan.

Specifically, the bill -- which ultimately passed -- said any law that "prohibits direct assistance to a country whose duly elected head of government was deposed by decree or military coup shall not apply with respect to Pakistan."

These days, Scheunemann likes to talk tough about dealing with the "situation" in Pakistan.

Between 2001 and 2003, Scheunemann's firm was paid about $80,000 for its work for International Business & Energy Development Corp, lobbying disclosure reports show.

Scheunemann stopped working for Payne on Pakistan-related issues in 2003, according to Senate lobbing disclosure reports.

The deeper you dig on McCain the dirtier he gets.

[Demeter]

2. Lucky Pakistan

Sigh. Some countries get all the breaks.