The Hindu : Front Page : Talks with Musharraf stalled: Benazir

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Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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Talks with Musharraf stalled: Benazir

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party leader Benazir Bhutto said on Saturday that her talks with President Pervez Musharraf were stalled, but by declaring that she would announce the date of her return to Pakistan only two weeks from now indicated that she was leaving open a large window for the two sides to reach an understanding.

“Deal or no deal”

“I will return to Pakistan with or without an agreement,” Ms. Bhutto said at a press conference in London after a meeting of her party central executive committee. The date of her return is to be announced on September 14, she said.

Avoiding blaming Gen. Musharraf for the last-minute hitch, Ms. Bhutto said there were certain “core” elements within the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Q) that had sabotaged the talks. This was the same section that was responsible for fanning the flames of extremism and militancy in Pakistan. But she did not say the talks had failed.

It is known that she wanted the President to forego his constitutional power to dissolve Parliament, and also wanted the bar removed on two-time Prime Ministers occupying office. The PML(Q), whose majority in Parliament Gen. Musharraf needs to make any constitutional amendments, was adamant that it would not back either move.

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