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Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Eashoa' M'sheekha who wrote (39789)	8/25/2002 12:22:28 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

>>US criticises constitutional changes WASHINGTON: The United States on Thursday criticized constitutional changes that strengthen the position of President Pervez Musharraf, saying they could be a setback for democratization in the country, an ally in Washington's war on Islamic militants. "We are concerned that his recent decisions could make it more difficult to build strong democratic institutions in Pakistan," said State Department spokesman Philip Reeker. "It is of vital importance that full democratic civilian rule be restored to Pakistan. We believe that President Musharraf wants to develop strong democratic institutions in his country," he told a briefing. Earlier, the White House urged President Musharraf to follow "the path to democracy" and expressed worry over his moves to award himself and his military sweeping new political powers. "It is important for Pakistan to follow the path to democracy. The president believes that the path to democracy is the best path for all nations," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters aboard Air Force One, as Bush travelled to Oregon to push his domestic agenda. "We'll continue to monitor events in Pakistan, be in touch with the government of Pakistan," Fleischer said. "Pakistan has taken strides on the path toward democracy. It is important they continue. "President Musharraf has committed to having free elections, fair elections, and the president expects that will continue," he said. US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was to raise Washington's concerns with Pakistani officials during a stopover in Islamabad on Saturday as part of a tour in South Asia, a State Department deputy spokesman said. "We're continuing to monitor events in Pakistan and be in touch with the government in Pakistan," Fleischer said, as Bush stopped here to lay out a plan to contain the damage from future wildfires. Fleischer said President Bush expects President Musharraf to hold free and fair elections. "President Musharraf has committed to having free elections, fair elections, and the president expects that will continue," he said.<< jang.com.pk

To: Eashoa' M'sheekha who wrote (39789)	8/25/2002 12:25:35 PM
From: Ilaine	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 281500

>>United States Concerned About Restoring Democracy in Pakistan Deputy Secretary of State Travels to Islamabad on Saturday By Harry Dunphy Associated Press Writer Thursday, August 22, 2002; 3:17 PM WASHINGTON –– The United States expressed concern Thursday that President Pervez Musharraf's moves to expand control of Pakistan could hinder an eventual restoration of democracy in the south Asian nation. "We are concerned that his recent decisions could make it more difficult to build strong democratic institutions in Pakistan," said the State Department's deputy spokesman Philip T. Reeker. "It is of vital importance that full, democratic civilian rule be restored in Pakistan," he said. Reeker said Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, who is on an Asian tour, will arrive in Islamabad Saturday for talks with Musharraf on the constitutional changes he announced Wednesday and other issues. A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Armitage, who has a reputation for speaking his mind, will be firm in setting forth U.S. views. The measures Musharraf announced will allow him to dissolve the elected parliament and appoint military leaders and Supreme Court justices. Musharraf took control of Pakistan in a bloodless coup in 1999. Reeker said it is "extremely important that Pakistan hold free and fair national and provincial elections in October. ... We hope that following these elections President Musharraf will take advantage of a new opportunity to develop a dialogue with elected civilian officials." He refused to be drawn into a discussion of the changes Musharraf announced and rejected suggestions the United States has looked the other way at some of Musharraf's actions because he is a close ally in the U.S.-led war against terrorism. "We've made quite clear that part of the war on terrorism includes looking for democracy because where there's democracy there's less opportunity for extremist and terrorist enterprises to thrive," Reeker said. When Musharraf took control he was at first shunned by the United States and its Western allies. That changed when he abandoned support for the Afghan Taliban and joined the U.S.-led war against terrorism, allowing the Americans to use bases in his country and helping track down Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives who fled to Pakistan last year.<< washingtonpost.com