International   

Bush calls up Musharraf

ISLAMABAD: A phone call from U.S. President George Bush to Pervez Musharraf is being interpreted as a signal that Washington wants the embattled Pakistan leader to stay on in office, but it remains unclear what impact it will have on his political fortunes.

Mr. Bush called up President Musharraf on Friday and declared support for his “continuing role in further strengthening U.S.-Pakistan relations,” a White House spokeswoman said in Washington. The call came at a time when President Musharraf is under tremendous pressure to step down. On Thursday, the retired General denied frenzied speculation on his resignation set off by a report that he had a meeting with Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

President Bush’s National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley also held a 30-minute phone conversation with President Musharraf’s confidant Tariq Aziz late on Thursday. According to reports, the two discussed the “latest political situation” in Pakistan as well as the country’s role in the U.S.-led “war on terror.”

Mr. Hadley is reported to have praised Gen. Musharraf’s efforts against terrorism and expressed concern over his possible resignation and its consequences. Mr. Aziz also termed “baseless” the rumours that President Musharraf was stepping down. The denials notwithstanding, speculation on his imminent departure has continued. The early return of Mohammedmian Soomro, chairman of the Senate, from a trip abroad, has also fed the rumour mills. The leader of Parliament’s Upper House is required to step in as the acting president when the President’s office falls vacant.

There were also reports that Gen. Musharraf was only awaiting finalisation of the “modalities” of his departure, including a “safe passage” and legal indemnity for all his actions.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) leader Nawaz Sharif has said he is determined not to let President Musharraf go scot-free, and claimed that PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari agreed that the General should be ousted.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

No agreement on choice of President, PM: Prachanda
Myanmar forcing victims out of camps, says U.N.
A. Q. Khan denies selling nuclear technology
Jets pound LTTE positions
Bush calls up Musharraf
Gyanendra gets marching orders
China to evacuate 1.3 million
U.N. warns of resource crunch
Putin details role as Premier
Climate change on the ramp
Vilayat Khan’s kin charged with sexual assault
China, India seek peaceful rise, not hegemony, says Lee

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu