Musharraf: Most Pakistanis Want Me to Stay

[Khephra]

(And he added under his breath, "Like they really have any say in the matter.") :puke:

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By MATTHEW PENNINGTON
Associated Press Writer

September 6, 2004, 5:39 AM EDT


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- President Gen. Pervez Musharraf indicated Monday he may renege on a promise to stand down as army chief by the year's end, claiming most Pakistanis want him to retain the uniform to maintain national stability as he fights against terrorism.

The comments, made in extracts of a television interview aired Monday, drew an angry reaction from the political opposition, which accused the urbane military leader of misleading the nation and having a "lust for power."

Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and has emerged as a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, said he would make a final decision in accordance with the constitution and after he had seen what the people wanted.

"Ninety six percent (of people) will say 'do not remove (the uniform),'" the army chief told the private ARY TV network. "You should go and ask this."

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-pakistan-musharraf,0,5129647.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines

[Jack Rabbit]

1. The Jack Rabbit challenge

You think so, General Musharraff? Let's put it to a vote in a free and fair election. You know, not the kind they have in banana republics like Florida.

[Khephra]

3. It's totally understandable why Musharaff and Bush get along so well

isn't it? Two birds of a feather.

:grr:

[lovuian]

2. Can we say I'm a Buddy of Bush

so who cares what the little people think

[IndianaGreen]

4. The military dictator that toppled a democratically elected leader

Like all tyrants, our tin pot dictator thinks that everyone loves him. Remember what happened to Trujillo?

[allemand]

5. So you all agree with the "hardline Islamic opposition coalition" that he

should "give up the post of army chief"?

Maybe he should be replaced as army chief by one of the more hardline Islamist generals who supported his coup?

Things are never easy in Pakistan.

I think the fact that Musharraf is able to renounce the deal with the hardline Islamic opposition is a good sign.

Once there is a strong democratic movement in Pakistani society, I have no doubts that Musharraf will be replaced, but at the moment all there seems to be is a strong fundamentalist movement, and a nuclear Pakistan ruled by some sort of Taliban is a horror scenario.