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US Offers a Tentative Hand to Nawaz Sharif

After Bhutto's death, Washington surveys a new political scene

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2008 7:43 AM CST
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(Newser) – With Benazir Bhutto gone and elections postponed, the White House is taking stock of its options in Pakistan and cautiously reaching out to a man they had once cold-shouldered: Nawaz Sharif. The prime minister whom Pervez Musharraf deposed in his 1999 bloodless coup is looking increasingly attractive to Washington, writes the Christian Science Monitor, even though Sharif is hardly a friend of America.

The US was integral in getting Sharif to call off his boycott of parliamentary elections after Bhutto's assassination, although the voting delay until Feb. 18 may have changed his position. Sharif spent his exile in Saudi Arabia and enjoys warm relations with the royal family. That's increasingly attractive to the US, says one analyst: in a volatile situation, a friend of an American ally—especially one not likely to be in bed with Iran—might be the best Washington can hope for.

Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses his supporters in Wazirabad near Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Sharif is on election campaign for the coming Pakistan's general election. (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
Pakistan former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addresses his supporters in Wazirabad near Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007. Sharif is on election campaign for the coming Pakistan's general election....   (Associated Press)
Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif looks at papers being handed to him after a press briefing Monday Dec. 31, 2007 at his house outside Lahore, Pakistan. During his two turns as prime minister in the 1990s, Nawaz Sharif tried to endear himself to Pakistan's people with populist policies and did...
Pakistani opposition leader Nawaz Sharif looks at papers being handed to him after a press briefing Monday Dec. 31, 2007 at his house outside Lahore, Pakistan. During his two turns as prime minister...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif speaks to media at his house Monday Dec. 31, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. Sharif said Monday that Pakistan's parliamentary elections should be held Jan. 8 as scheduled despite the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. He also said Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf should resign and be...
Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif speaks to media at his house Monday Dec. 31, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. Sharif said Monday that Pakistan's parliamentary elections should be held Jan. 8 as...   (Associated Press)
In this photo released by Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan's former prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, right, and rival of Pakistan's former prime Minister Benazir Bhutto meets Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari in Naudero near Larkana, Pakistan on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2007.
In this photo released by Pakistan Muslim League, Pakistan's former prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, right, and rival of Pakistan's former prime Minister Benazir Bhutto meets Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani police stand guard outside the house of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Monday Dec. 31, 2007 outside Lahore, Pakistan. Sharif said Monday that Pakistan's parliamentary elections should be held Jan. 8 as scheduled despite the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. He also said Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf should resign...
Pakistani police stand guard outside the house of Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif Monday Dec. 31, 2007 outside Lahore, Pakistan. Sharif said Monday that Pakistan's parliamentary elections...   (Associated Press)
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Interview with Sharif after Bhutto's assassination
Der Spiegel

Pakistan steps up security for Sharif
NDTV.com

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Nawaz Sharif • Pakistan Muslim League

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