The Hindu : International : Appeal to Bush, Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 22, 2004

International

International

Appeal to Bush, Musharraf

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

NEW YORK, SEPT. 21. The Human Rights Watch has called upon the U.S. President, George Bush, to impress upon the President of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, to keep his promise on stepping down as army chief by the end of the year and restore civilian rule.

It said Gen. Musharraf should ask Mr. Bush to back an independent enquiry like the 9/11 commission to investigate torture at U.S. military detention facilities.

Mr. Bush will meet Gen. Musharraf on Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations meeting.

"It's time for the Bush administration to recognise how its support for military rule in Pakistan flies in the face of its pledge to `foster' democracy in the Muslim world.

Return to democracy

"Bush should impress upon Musharraf that claims of a return to democracy are hollow if he tries to cling to the presidency without stepping down from his army post as promised," said Brad Adams, Director of the Asia Division of HRW.

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