Word: uniform
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Having written the Musharraf story, the Bush Administration now appears captive to it. The White House could only wag a disapproving finger at the Pakistani dictator, urging him to give up his military uniform and hold elections. "I certainly hope he does take my advice," Bush said. What little reproach there was in the President's comments was undermined by his description of Musharraf as a "strong fighter against extremists and radicals"--and by swift reassurances from Administration officials that there would be no slowing in the flow of American aid to the Pakistani military. Stronger opprobrium and sanctions...
After increasing pressure from both the international community and his own people, Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf announced today in Islamabad that elections would be held before February 15, and that he would soon be doffing his controversial military uniform. If the country didn't exactly erupt into shouts of jubilation, there was certainly a collective sigh of relief, as the announcement presages an end to a draconian regime of martial law that has plagued the country since Saturday. The White House responded with praise - "We think it is a good thing that President Musharraf has clarified the election date...
When asked about stepping down as army chief after today's announcement, Musharraf repeated the presiding judge's order not to announce the election results, and said that he would remove his uniform and take oath of office when the Supreme Court came to its decision. Never mind that a new Supreme Court has been hastily cobbled together from a gallery of judges willing to sign what amounts to an oath of allegiance to the government, while more than half of the original court languish under house arrest...
Bhutto, exhibiting a newly discovered resolve vis-à-vis Musharraf, with whom she had hoped to reach a power-sharing deal, declared his announcement insufficient, and demanded that he remove his uniform immediately. She said Musharraf should release the original judges and let "the real Supreme Court" decide on his legitimacy. "We will accept the decision of that Supreme Court, which will be constitutional and includes those judges who are detained," she said. Up until now, Bhutto has avoided all references to Pakistan's judiciary, focusing instead on elections and a call for civilian rule...
...meantime, Musharraf has suspended the constitution, blacked out domestic TV news broadcasts and arrested lawyers, human rights advocates and opposition political party figures. State-run Pakistan Television on Monday said Musharraf had assured ambassadors he was "determined to remove my uniform once we correct these pillars - the judiciary, the executive and the parliament." Musharraf's Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reiterated on Monday that the election would be held on schedule...