Reuters Slideshow
In two news reports released today through Reuters and BBC, Pakistans' President Pervez Musharraf met with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, in which they discussed the lifting of the emergency rule and continuance of the democratic election process in Pakistan.
During the meeting Musharraf admitted that it is the WMD's that led him to impose emergency rule in Pakistan and that the country was safe as long as the military was in charge.
"They cannot fall into the wrong hands, if we manage ourselves politically. The military is there -- as long as the military is there, nothing happens to the strategic assets, we are in charge and nobody does anything with them," he said.
"President Musharraf made it clear to the visiting US envoy that the emergency can only be lifted once the situation regarding law and order improves," Gen Musharraf's aide told AFP news agency.
The aide added, "He told the envoy that the emergency is meant to reinforce and strengthen the law enforcement apparatus in the fight against militancy and extremism."
Musharraf was also upset that his image, as portrayed in Western media, has been skewed lately and demanded to know why. "Did I go mad? Or suddenly, my personality changed? Am I Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde?" he asked. "Have I done anything constitutionally illegal? Yes, I did it on 3 November. But did I do it before? Not once."
As regards Benazir Bhutto, Musharraf referred to her as "the darling of the West" and stated that her party was in no position to win the election at all. He said that she ruined her chances of a "deal" in which she could have served as prime minister under his presidency. He called her confrontational and said that she "disturbed the entire environment."
Musharraf also stated that he will resign as head of the army once the Supreme Court approves his next term as President.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde? Yes, I think you are President Musharraf and you said it yourself. 'Nuff said.
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