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Musharraf Won't Budge for US
In further blow to power, president's political party calls for end to martial law
By Wesley Oliver
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Posted Nov 17, 07 1:29 PM CST
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(Newser)
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In a face-to-face meeting today with a top American diplomat, Pervez Musharraf remained tightlipped when pressed on when he would end emergency rule in Pakistan. Musharraf told John Negroponte he would cease martial law when security improves in the country, but his resistance is winning him few fans in Pakistan and the US, the New York Times reports.
The head of Musharraf’s own political party called for an end to emergency rule, signaling further erosion of support for the Pakistani leader. Although Musharraf remains popular with army generals, even their loyalties could fray, a diplomat said. Negroponte delivered a "strong message," a second Western diplomat said, but few details emerged. "In diplomacy, things don't happen instantaneously," he said.