Pamela Constable in Washingotn Post..<<Despite the increasing pressures on his government, Musharraf insisted today that he does not feel personally stressed and is confident that he enjoys support both among the public and within the army, which was closely allied with the Taliban until Musharraf abruptly severed relations last month at Washington's request.
"I am not that easy to put under stress. . . . I have never been scared," said the 58-year-old general, who wore a khaki uniform. He acknowledged, however, that recent events have "put much more pressure on me" and that he is "meeting much greater challenges than I ever expected" when he seized power from an elected but unpopular prime minister in October 1999.
Explaining the extra security measures being taken in his office, where journalists were not allowed to bring mobile phones, purses or briefcases today, Musharraf acknowledged that by siding with the West and cracking down on religious extremist groups, "I am stepping on a few toes of people who might not want me around. One must be realistic."
But Musharraf bristled visibly at the suggestion that he might not enjoy total control of the army or Pakistan's powerful intelligence services, which have enjoyed close relations with armed Islamic groups. Several weeks ago, Musharraf replaced three top generals, including the director of the major military intelligence service.
He said it was an "absolute misperception" that the intelligence services operate autonomously. "The army chief is never out of the loop. I appoint the [intelligence director] and I can remove him," Musharraf said. He also said his support within the army is "very strong. There is no possibility at all of any kind of threat developing within our institution.">> |
