M A I N   N E W S

Coalition spurns Mush’s patch-up plea
West seeks safe passage for him

Islamabad, August 14
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's reconciliation appeal to his opponents was rejected by the ruling coalition today as western diplomats reportedly made last-ditch efforts for his “graceful exit” with Turkey as a possible destination.

“Democratic forces in Pakistan have come together to defeat dictatorship,” Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said in his Independence Day address, hours after Musharraf belied speculation of his resignation and pressed for rapprochement.

The embattled 65-year-old President's speech last night was seen as a move to buy time for bowing out “honourably” without facing next week's impeachment in Parliament.

However, two preconditions put forth by Musharraf with army's backing, including that he be allowed to stay in the country, were dragging the behind-the-scene negotiations and delaying the announcement of his resignation, Pakistani newspaper Daily Times reported quoting unnamed sources.

British and US diplomats have also sought to convince the government that impeachment would further undermine the security and political situation in Pakistan and that Musharraf should instead be offered a “graceful exit”, ruling coalition sources said.

“We are being told (by western envoys) that it's not going to bring more stability to have a long trial. And that it is in the interests of stability for him to exit,” a senior ruling coalition politician told The Guardian.

Turkey, where Musharraf spent his childhood, spoke its language and reportedly has properties there, could be the most favoured destination for him in exile, the British daily said.

“Dictatorship has become a story of the past,” Gilani said as the PPP-led coalition, emboldened by the support of three provincial assemblies for Musharraf’s impeachment, pushed harder for his ouster.

However, Musharraf is refusing to go into exile outside the country immediately after his resignation, the sources told Daily Times.

He is insisting on two conditions — that he will be entitled to stay in his house at Chak Shahzad on the outskirts of Islamabad and be provided full security and privileges as allowed under law to all ex-Presidents.

He is also demanding that the "cast-iron guarantees of indemnity" be provided from any action against him following his resignation, preferably through an Act of Parliament, it said.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant, director of political affairs at the British Foreign Office, currently in Pakistan, is said to be spearheading the lobbying for Musharraf.

Lyall Grant met PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday night at the British High Commission. He held a separate meeting with Musharraf.

Grant, a former British High Commissioner to Pakistan, was intimately involved in western mediated negotiations last year between Musharraf and former PM Benazir Bhutto, which presaged her return to Pakistan.

On the US side, Deputy US Ambassador Peter Bodde is understood to have met Zardari in the last couple of days.

US Ambassador Anne Patterson saw Nisar Ali Khan, a senior member of Nawaz Sharif's PML(N). Her message was: "Give Musharraf safe passage", the Guardian reported.

The Saudis, perceived as close to Musharraf, have also reportedly jumped into action to ensure a safe exit for Musharraf.

However, spokesmen for both British and US missions denied that they were seeking to interfere, it said. — PTI