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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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US Envoys Try to Defuse Pakistan Crisis

Obama administration holds talks as violence, protests continue

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(Newser) – The US is attempting to defuse the escalating political crisis in Pakistan, reports the New York Times, as the police continued to beat and arrest protesters marching to Islamabad. The American ambassador yesterday visited Nawaz Sharif, the former PM whose supporters have joined the lawyers movement in anti-government demonstrations. Later in the day, envoy Richard Holbrooke spoke to Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari.

The US involvement has led to speculation that Washington is trying to broker a deal between Sharif and Zardari to end the violence and renew the fight against al-Qaeda and Taliban insurgents. Yesterday in Karachi, police in riot gear used batons on demonstrating lawyers and blocked buses and vans from joining the march to the capital. The protesters should reach Islamabad by Monday, but the government has already banned any demonstration.

Pakistan's opposition leader Nawaz Sharif meets US Ambassador Anne Patterson in Lahore, on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Pakistan's opposition leader Nawaz Sharif meets US Ambassador Anne Patterson in Lahore, on Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo)
Police officers arrest a protester taking part in an anti-government march in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Police officers arrest a protester taking part in an anti-government march in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Police detained protest leaders Thursday and stopped hundreds of marchers from leaving Karachi for a rally in the capital, underscoring Pakistan's determination to squelch the demonstration.
Police detained protest leaders Thursday and stopped hundreds of marchers from leaving Karachi for a rally in the capital, underscoring Pakistan's determination to squelch the demonstration.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
Pakistani lawyers are seen inside a law office in the Civil Court of Lahore, March 12, 2009. They are demanding that President Zardari restore judges removed by his predecessor Pervez Musharraf.
Pakistani lawyers are seen inside a law office in the Civil Court of Lahore, March 12, 2009. They are demanding that President Zardari restore judges removed by his predecessor Pervez Musharraf.   (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Police arrest protesters for their participation in anti-government march in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday, March 12, 2009.
Police arrest protesters for their participation in anti-government march in Karachi, Pakistan on Thursday, March 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
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2 comments
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BackAgain
Mar 13, 09 9:46 AM CDT
Send the magic "hope and change" troll over. Reply
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riffran
Mar 14, 09 4:36 AM CDT
I wish we could just back out and let them solve their own issues....along with every other country....but we are about 70-80 years or more to late for that.......but when you have the tiger by the tail so to speak...what do you do?. Reply
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