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Musharraf's Chaos Leaves US Twisting in Wind

Musharraf power grab a 'big embarrassment' for the White House

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2007 2:06 PM CST

(Newser) – Pervez Musharraf is gripping not only Pakistan in a tight state of emergency, but also his allies in Washington, the New York Times reports. American officials are stuck monitoring developments as the US-backed military dictator threatens a shaky democracy and spurs civil unrest. Condoleezza Rice called Musharraf’s decision “highly regrettable,” but praised his earlier democratic efforts.

Washington has little choice but to support Musharraf, one expert explains: “They can’t just decide they’re going to blow off Pakistan, because it sits right next to Afghanistan.” But the US, which has given Pakistan more than $10 billion since 2001, may restrict further aid, Reuters reports. The White House is hoping for the best, but an expert calls the situation a “big embarrassment.”

A Pakistan political activist  looks from a police van after he has been arrested in Multan, Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 4, 2007. Police wielding assault rifles rounded up hundreds of opposition leaders and rights activists Sunday after Pakistan's military ruler suspended the constitution, ousted the top judge and deployed troops...
A Pakistan political activist looks from a police van after he has been arrested in Multan, Pakistan on Sunday, Nov 4, 2007. Police wielding assault rifles rounded up hundreds of opposition leaders and...   (Associated Press)
A human rights activist holds a sign during a rally held against Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf  in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007.  Authorities rounded up opposition leaders Sunday after Gen.  Musharraf suspended Pakistan's constitution, declaring rising Islamic extremism forced him to take emergency measures that included replacing...
A human rights activist holds a sign during a rally held against Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. Authorities rounded up opposition leaders...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses a news conference at her residence in Karachi Pakistan on  Saturday Nov. 3, 2007.  Military ruler Pervez Musharraf sent troops into the streets and imposed emergency rule Saturday, suspending the constitution before a crucial Supreme Court ruling on his future as president. The...
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto addresses a news conference at her residence in Karachi Pakistan on Saturday Nov. 3, 2007. Military ruler Pervez Musharraf sent troops into the streets...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani lawyers burn a poster featuring an altered image combining the faces of U.S. President George Bush and Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf during an anti-government rally in Karachi, Pakistan on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Thousands of lawyers and flag-waving political activists rallied for the reinstatement of Pakistan's chief...
Pakistani lawyers burn a poster featuring an altered image combining the faces of U.S. President George Bush and Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf during an anti-government rally in Karachi, Pakistan...   (Associated Press)
In a  file photo  Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gestures during an appearance   in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006.  Musharraf gets no respite from his political woes after backing away from emergency rule, with Washington intensifying pressure to deliver results on fighting militants and homefront rivals demanding more democracy.   (AP...
In a file photo Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf gestures during an appearance in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2006. Musharraf gets no respite from his political woes after backing away from...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, shown in New York with President George W. Bush in this November 10, 2001, file photo.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, shown in New York with President George W. Bush in this November 10, 2001, file photo.   (KRT Photos)
Bush, Musharraf Meet At Camp David
Bush, Musharraf Meet At Camp David   (Getty Images)
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