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Musharraf Says Edict Protects Elections

General reiterates refusal to lift emergency, jibes back at Bhutto

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2007 1:51 PM CST
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(Newser) – Pervez Musharraf defended his 10-day-old emergency rule today, rejecting the US demand to lift it quickly and saying the edict is meant to protect elections. In a Times interview, Pakistan’s president said, “I don’t know, I don’t know” when asked the duration of the suspension of the constitution and the Supreme Court, and the jailing of 2,500 opponents.

Musharraf said Benazir Bhutto was “producing negative vibes” and is under house arrest to prevent incidents she could blame on the government. He said Western media overstates the importance of human rights advocates and, by extension, the level of Bhutto’s support. Meanwhile, the State Department said veteran diplomat John Negroponte, a deputy secretary of state, will visit Islamabad this week to push for a resolution to the situation.

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf addresses the international media in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Musharraf said that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule, but that emergency rule would remain in place to ensure that the polls would be free and transparent. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf addresses the international media in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Musharraf said that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule, but that...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, center, points to his shoulders as he talks about his general's uniform stripes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Muasharraf said Sunday that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule, but that emergency rule would remain in place to ensure that the polls would...
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, center, points to his shoulders as he talks about his general's uniform stripes in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Muasharraf said Sunday that parliamentary...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf addresses the international media in Islamabad, Pakista, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Muasharraf said that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule, but that emergency rule would remain in place to ensure that the polls would be free and transparent. (AP Photo/David Guttenfelder)
Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf addresses the international media in Islamabad, Pakista, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Muasharraf said that parliamentary elections should be held on schedule, but that...   (Associated Press)
A Pakistani woman holds a placard against Pakistan leader Pervez Musharraf during a demonstration outside the Pakistani embassy in Athens, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. Protesters gathered to voice opposition to emergency rule imposed by Musharraf. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A Pakistani woman holds a placard against Pakistan leader Pervez Musharraf during a demonstration outside the Pakistani embassy in Athens, on Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007. Protesters gathered to voice opposition...   (Associated Press)
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COMMENTS
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Have Bhutto and Musharraf really broken off talks?
BBC

US says Pakistan's economic growth could be hurt by crisis
Times of India (India)

More on Negroponte's mission

Meeting with Musharraf isn't set, State Dept. says
Reuters

Across the border, skepticism prevails
Times of India (India)

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • John Negroponte • Benazir Bhutto • emergency rule • US Supreme Court

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