Speaking at a news conference after meeting French leaders in Paris on Thursday, President Pervez Musharraf dismissed speculations about his possible vulnerability to a military coup or mass protests at home while travelling abroad on a week of whirlwind diplomacy.
Gen Musharraf said reports about rising opposition to him were baseless. "The very fact that I'm sitting comfortably here talking to you, leaving my country for seven days, shows that all these perceptions are misplaced," he said.
About possible threat from generals who disagree with his pro-US stand, Gen Musharraf said: "As chief of army staff, I've been trained in a certain manner. I wouldn't be worth my salt if my generals and my subordinates don't follow me.
"I lead and they follow."
Only a lack of intelligence information was stopping the coalition against terrorism from winning a quick victory, Gen Musharraf said. And once this had been obtained the action could end swiftly.
"What is missing is accurate intelligence which is delaying the issue. The moment accurate intelligence is available I am sure the operation can be curtailed to a minimum," Gen Musharraf said.
Blair thanked Gen Musharraf for his courageous support of the alliance and assured the Pakistani leader of Western assistance in his country's efforts to overcome domestic economic problems and to cope with the refugee problem.
"You can be assured of our complete and total support in the development of Pakistan in the future," Blair said.
"There is no risk involved," he said after meeting French leaders.
Musharraf said anti-American protests hit a peak after the US-led bombing campaign against Afghanistan began on Oct 7, and now hardly rallied more than 1,000 people.
"In a population of 140 million, one or two thousand is absolutely meaningless, I'm not at all disturbed," the president said. "This is only being done by a very small minority of religious extremists." |
