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Confident enough, Pakistani president begins trip abroad
©Associated Press
© St. Petersburg Times, ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- With violent protests at a minimum and key opposition clerics in detention, President Pervez Musharraf is confident enough to take his first foreign trip since Sept. 11, leaving his military government to deal with any threats at home. In visits to Paris, London and New York, Musharraf was making the case for a "short and more targeted" war in Afghanistan and urging a break in the U.S.-led bombing campaign when the Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins in about 10 days. By backing the military campaign, Musharraf has won favor with the West for the first time since seizing power in a 1999 coup. But he has faced ongoing demonstrations by Islamic groups sympathetic to the ruling Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan. A nationwide day of protest is set for Friday, but the size and intensity of the demonstrations have waned and there have been no violent outbursts in the past several weeks. "The government won't tolerate violence or disruption of normal public life," Interior Minister Moinuddin Haider, a retired general, said Wednesday evening on Pakistan TV. While Musharraf's position appears strong, he slipped out of Islamabad like a man on an undercover mission. His plane left just after dawn Wednesday, hours before it was expected to take off. Shortly before he departed, the country's mobile phone system was mysteriously cut in another apparent security move. The general then made brief, unannounced stops in Iran and Turkey en route to France. In Paris, Musharraf met with French President Jacques Chirac to discuss military, political and humanitarian issues surrounding the Afghanistan conflict, Chirac spokeswoman Catherine Colonna said. She said that the two leaders also discussed Pakistan's financial needs and what it might expect in return for its support. Most analysts believe there's broad consensus that Musharraf is in firm control. "His position is comfortable," political analyst Kaiser Bengali said. He predicted no general would attempt a coup at a time when Musharraf enjoys the backing of the international community, particularly the United States. Washington imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan because of its nuclear weapons tests. "If I were a general, I would never attempt a coup now," Bengali said. The government has tolerated opposition rallies, but warned religious leaders not to make provocative statements calling for the ouster of the government. Dozens of those who refused to comply have been placed under house arrest or travel restrictions. Qazi Hussein Ahmed, leader of Pakistan's largest religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami, was ordered confined to his home, but continued to address rallies by telephone. To keep Ahmed from speaking out, Pakistan authorities moved him Tuesday to a government guest house 30 miles south of the western city of Peshawar. The Tanda Dam guest house, normally reserved for visiting dignitaries and officials, not only is comfortable, but also allows the government to keep a close watch on Ahmed and keep him off the phone. Such moves have brought Western criticism in more normal times, but the United States and other governments have only praise for Musharraf these days. For Musharraf, the trip is an opportunity to solidify his transformation from a military ruler largely shunned by the West to an indispensable ally in the war in Afghanistan. Musharraf can expect the royal treatment. He has already won the lifting of U.S. economic sanctions and pledges of debt relief as part of a series of measures aimed at propping up Pakistan's sluggish economy. He'll be looking for additional political and economic support from both the Americans and the Europeans, specifically grants, loans, debt relief and import concessions. During their meeting at the U.N. General Assembly debate in New York this weekend, Musharraf also will press President Bush to reduce or halt the bombing during Ramadan, though Bush is not expected to take the advice.
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From the Times wire desk
From the AP |
