Jerusalem/Beijing, November 5
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice today said Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf should “take off his uniform”, as Washington suspended annual defence talks with Islamabad because of the political situation there after the imposition of Emergency.

A day after she said the US would “review” its financial aid to Pakistan, Rice mounted pressure on Musharraf making a direct call that the General quit as army chief and restore civilian rule.

At a news conference in Ramallah, Rice urged Musharraf to follow through on past promises to “take off his uniform.” “I want to be very clear. We believe that the best path for Pakistan is to quickly return to a constitutional path and then to hold elections,” she said.

Defence secretary Robert Gates, acting in tandem, said in Bejing that the US was reviewing all its assistance programmes to Islamabad and urged Musharraf to restore democratic rule.

Rice said yesterday that the USA would review aid to Pakistan but indicated it would not suspend aid wholesale. She had also said “the USA did not put all its chips on Musharraf.” The USA has provided about $11 billion to Pakistan since 2001 for the war against terror after the September 11 terror attacks.

Meanwhile, Eric Edelman, undersecretary of defence for policy, who was supposed to head a US delegation to the two-day talks scheduled to open at Islamabad tomorrow, will not go until political conditions improved in the country, Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said in Beijing.

“These(Defence talks (are important bilateral meetings that require an atmosphere in which all the issues can be discussed with the full attention of all participants,” Morrell said in Beijing.

“We hope to reschedule this meeting as soon as conditions are more conducive to achieve the important objectives at hand.”

Morrel is accompanying defence secretary Robert Gates, who today called for Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf to return his country to a constitutional democracy.

“We urge President Musharraf to return his country to a law-based, constitutional and democratic rule as soon as possible,” Gates told reporters in Beijing. Gates described the developments as “disturbing”.

But he emphasised that any US action against Pakistan should have no impact on global efforts to fight terrorism.

“We are reviewing all our assistance programmes (to Pakistan), although we are mindful not to do anything that would undermine counter-terrorism efforts,” said Gates, after a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan.

“Some of the aid that goes to Pakistan is directly related to the counterterrorism mission,” Rice told reporters yesterday.

“We just have to review the situation. But I would be very surprised if anyone wants the President to set aside or ignore” the responsibility to national security that can come through such cooperation, she said.

Rice said she had not spoken directly with Musharraf since he announced what she called “extra-constitutional” moves on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Democratic Senator Joe Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “I would be on the phone with Musharraf making it clear to him that there’s a price to pay if he does not rectify what he’s just done.” — PTI

Islamabad, November 5
The Pakistan government, under mounting pressure from Western allies after declaring emergency rule, has decided to hold a general election by mid-January, the government’s top lawyer said today.

Attorney-General Malik Abdul Qayyum said Pakistan’s National and provincial assemblies will be dissolved in 10 days’ time.

‘’It has been decided there would be no delay in the election and by November 15, these assemblies will be dissolved and the election will be held within the next 60 days,’’ Qayyum told Reuters.

Pakistan’s western allies have sought reassurances that polls would go ahead as expected in January after President Pervez Musharraf suspended the constitution and imposed emergency rule on Saturday.

Musharraf cited spiralling militancy and hostile judges to justify Saturday’s action, and slapped reporting curbs on the media in a bid to stop outrage spilling onto the streets amid Pakistan’s biggest crisis since he took power in a 1999 coup.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said outstanding cases lying with the Supreme Court, including challenges to Musharraf’s re-election by parliament last month while still army chief, need to be concluded.

‘’We don’t want to disrupt the election process. We want a free election,’’ Aziz said.

The election is supposed to mark a transition to civilian-led democracy, and Musharraf, who took power in a coup eight years ago, vowed last month to quit the army and become a civilian president if he was given a second term.

Many Pakistanis believe Musharraf’s main motive in declaring emergency rule was to pre-empt the possibility of the Supreme Court invalidating the general’s election victory on October. 6.

Meanwhile, Musharraf said on Monday he was determined to quit as army chief and become a civilian president, amid mounting pressure from the United States to end emergency rule and return to democracy.

“I am determined to execute this third stage of transition fully and I’m determined to remove my uniform once we correct these pillars in judiciary and the executive and the parliament,” he told foreign diplomats in comments broadcast on state-run Pakistan Television.

Earlier, Musharraf said holding the general elections in a free and fair manner and on schedule was his top priority.

Musharraf made the assurance at a meeting with the ruling alliance, including the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, where it was resolved that the state of emergency would not be prolonged, daily 'The News' reported today.

The President, in his first interaction with the leaders of the ruling alliance after the imposition of emergency, made it clear that the holding of the general elections in a free and fair manner according to the previous schedule would be his top priority, it said quoting highly-placed sources.

Earlier, Pakistan government also assured foreign envoys that the emergency clamped by General Pervez Musharraf is a “short-term arrangement” and the country will soon be put on “a normal constitutional course”

Foreign Secretary Riaz M. Khan, during a special briefing on Sunday on the situation in Pakistan, told the diplomats that the emergency was a short-term arrangement to meet an “extraordinary situation that had arisen due to increasing attacks of militants and the interference of the judiciary in executive affairs” — Reuters/PTI

Islamabad, November 5
Amid uncertainty over the fate of the January polls in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf has said holding the general elections in a free and fair manner and on schedule was his top priority.

Musharraf made the assurance at a meeting with the ruling alliance, including the leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Q, where it was resolved that the state of emergency would not be prolonged, daily 'The News' reported today.

The President, in his first interaction with the leaders of the ruling alliance after the imposition of emergency, made it clear that the holding of the general elections in a free and fair manner according to the previous schedule would be his top priority, it said quoting highly-placed sources.

However, the ruling alliance is divided on the question and it is expected that the ultimate decision in this regard would be taken in a week.

One group of the alliance is asking for extending the tenure of the present assemblies by at least six months, while the other group is of the view that the general elections must be held without any delay.

The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, PML president Hussain and other leaders. — PTI

Islamabad, November 5
Pakistan government has assured foreign envoys that the emergency clamped by General Pervez Musharraf is a “short-term arrangement” and the country will soon be put on “a normal constitutional course”

Foreign Secretary Riaz M. Khan, during a special briefing on Sunday on the situation in Pakistan, told the diplomats that the emergency was a short-term arrangement to meet an “extraordinary situation that had arisen due to increasing attacks of militants and the interference of the judiciary in executive affairs”

The government arranged the briefing as it was “keen to address the concerns of foreign governments” regarding the constitution being kept in abeyance due to the emergency.

Foreign office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq said Khan briefed all 87 ambassadors and high commissioners in Pakistan about the latest political developments, the Daily Times said.

Sadiq said the envoys were briefed about the causes that led Musharraf to declare the emergency.

The imposition of emergency has been opposed by many countries, including the US and major western powers, which have urged Musharraf to withdraw the measure and ensure a transition to civilian democracy by not putting off the general elections planned for January. — PTI

Deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has vowed to launch another phase of his struggle to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law and independence of judiciary.

The Chief Justice, who was the prime victim of Saturday’s provisional constitutional order (PCO), is confident that he would stage a comeback and reiterated that the present setup is illegal and all superior judiciary’s latest appointments have no validity.

Iftikhar, who is under house arrest, told The News on telephone late on Sunday night that the seven-member bench of the apex court headed by him had stayed the PCO and also restrained the judges of the superior judiciary from taking oath under the PCO. This ruling had rendered the newly installed judicial structure completely illegal.

Justice Chaudhry said the judges appointed in all provincial High Courts and the Supreme Court on Saturday and Sunday had no legal backing. “Everything that is happening today is illegal, unconstitutional and against the orders of the Supreme Court,” Justice Iftikhar said, adding that he was sure that the pre-November 3 situation would revive.

Sounding confident and relaxed, while making his first public comment on the emergency, Justice Chaudhry said he had neither done anything wrong previously when he was suspended on March 9, nor had he done any such thing now.

“God has blessed me with success last time and I am sure that he would again bless me and other respected judges, who had refused to take fresh oath under the PCO, in a similar manner this time too,” Justice Iftikhar said.

Islamabad, November 5
The Pakistan government has freed 25 militants, including some convicted by anti-terror courts, in exchange for 211 soldiers who were being held hostage by rebels in the restive northwestern tribal areas.

Military spokesperson Maj- Gen Waheed Arshad said 211 soldiers had been released and 25 militants, who were arrested under the Frontier Crimes Regulation, were freed yesterday in South Waziristan in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

Some of the freed militants, which include 24-year-old Sohail Zeb, a relative of slain Taliban commander Abdullah Mehsud, were convicted by an anti-terrorism court, media reports said.

A total of 247 army personnel, including eight officers, were captured by the men of Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud on August 30. Thirtyone soldiers were released subsequently while three were killed by the militants to pressure the government to accept their demands.

The release of the soldiers yesterday was facilitated by talks held with the militants through a jirga or council of tribal elders.

The militants brought the 211 soldiers to Tiarza Khula, a remote area in South Waziristan, and handed them over to the tribal elders. The military brought the 25 militants in two helicopters to the brigade headquarters near Wana and they were later taken to Tiarza Khula for the swap.

Seven militants were released from the central jail in Dera Ismail Khan and 18 were brought from Islamabad. — PTI

New York, November 5
Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto today asked President Pervez Musharraf to lift the emergency, revive the Constitution and hold elections under an “independent caretaker government”.

Reminding Musharraf of his commitments, both public and private, to confidence building measures that would move Pakistan towards the transition to democracy, she said he (Musharraf) has imposed martial law at a time when he should be demonstrating to the country and the world his seriousness in allowing free and fair elections.

Stating that rise of extremism and militancy could not happen without support from elements within the administration, Bhutto asked Musharraf to revive the Constitution by lifting emergency.

“This can only be seen as a step to entrench his dictatorship,” the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) president wrote in a commentary for CNN.

“We must have elections under an independent caretaker government, and neutral administrative officials who have the confidence of all major political parties in the country. And these elections should be under the supervision of an autonomous and competent Election Commission,” she added. — PTI

Islamabad, November 5
Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf proclaimed emergency in the country only after receiving a nod from the Bush Administration, a diplomatic source has claimed. Though the USA was averse to the idea of imposing emergency, it gave the go ahead to Musharraf because of the sporadic violence across the country, especially in the troubled Swat region and other tribal dominant areas, the source further revealed.

The Bush administration believed that the emergency was necessary to contain rising extremism in the country, The Nation reported.

Another source said if that were not the case, the Pentagon would not have rushed to announce that the USA would continue its military aid to Musharraf regime.

“At this point, the declaration does not impact on our military support for Pakistan’s efforts in the war on terror,” said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary.

Talking about the much-touted deal between former premier Benazir Bhutto and Musharraf, the sources said the USA has not abandoned the plan, but has delayed it for the time being. — ANI

Colombo, November 5
Seven Tamil Tigers and a soldier were killed in fresh fighting in northern Sri Lanka, the military said today, hours before the funeral of the rebels' political wing chief. Clashes between the two sides continue unabated in the north of the country. The Indian Ocean island remains on a high security alert after S P Thamilselvan was killed in a bombing raid by the Sri Lankan air force on Friday.

The latest fighting was reported from the northern districts of Vavuniya and Jaffna, a military spokesman said.

"Troops attacked a group of terrorists who tried to attack the forward defence line in Nagarkovil in Jaffna and killed four terrorists," spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Three rebels and a soldier were killed in an earlier confrontation yesterday in Vavuniya, the military said.

Analysts say the killing of Thamilselvan had hurt the chances of the conflict ending soon.

Thamilselvan, who led the rebel delegation at the last round of peace talks with the government in late 2006, was the most senior Tamil Tiger leader to be killed by troops in years.

Sri Lankan authorities expect the rebels to retaliate and have stepped up security in the capital Colombo, erecting new road blocks, deploying extra patrols and asking people to be vigilant about any suspicious activity.

Suva (Fiji),November 5
The Fijian police today charged three suspects and rounded up others over an alleged plot to assassinate coup leader Voreqe Bainimarama and other political and military leaders.

The number of arrests since Saturday rose to 16 as the Australian and New Zealand governments angrily denied the hints by the Fijian police chief of being linked to the alleged plot.

Fiji's police commissioner Esala Teleni said the police had laid charges of treason, incitement to mutiny and conspiracy to murder against the three.

He did not identify the three, who are due to appear in court tomorrow. A decision on whether to charge the other 13 arrested was due to be made within two days, he added today.

“The police investigation had successfully blocked any threat to the government, the community, the safety and well-being of tourists in this country," said Teleni, who was formerly Bainimarama's second-in-charge in the military.

Teleni yesterday accused non-governmental organisations funded by the governments of the neighbouring countries of the involvement in the plot.

He did not name any country, but his remarks seemed to aim at Australia and New Zealand, who have led international condemnation of the last year's coup and have since been at loggerheads with self-appointed interim Prime Minister Bainimarama.— AFP

Dhaka, November 5
The Bangladesh High Court has granted bail to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a graft case filed by the powerful Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) though the Awami League chief would remain in detention to face charges in several other cases.

A High Court bench of judges Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman and Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury granted bail to Hasina and stayed the proceedings under the Emergency Powers Rules (EPR) filed by the ACC charging her with taking Taka three crore in kickback in a power plant deal.

On a writ by Hasina, the court yesterday ordered the ACC to explain in eight weeks why she should be tried under the EPR, but allowed the authorities to continue the investigation in the case.

It asked the government to explain why the case under the ambit of the EPR should not be declared illegal.

Though the court yesterday granted her bail in the case, the Awami League chief would remain at her current makeshift sub-jail since she was also charged in several other graft cases, officials said. — PTI

Kathmandu, November 5
The DNA and viscera of the body, suspected to be that of abducted Indian journalist Birendra Kumar Sah, has been sent to Hyderabad for identification.

Sah’s body was found in the jungle of Amlekhagunj of Bara near Indo-Nepal border on October 13. His family, however, failed to identify the body, which was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

A Parliamentary committee formed to investigate the abduction and killing of the journalist had concluded that he was abducted by Maoists. — UNI

New York, November 5
US President hopeful Hillary Clinton continues to lead her rivals by a substantial margin among the Democrats but finds herself trailing behind Barack Obama and John Edwards among the independent voters, shows a new poll released a year before the election.

Clinton's support tops out at 49 per cent in trial heats against the Republican’s Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney.

Her four-point margin (49 per cent to 45 per cent) over Thompson and Romney is significantly less than Edwards's and Obama's performance. Obama and Edwards lead Romney by 53 per cent to 37 per cent. Edwards leads Thompson by 53 per cent to 39 per cent and Obama leads him by 52 per cent to 39 per cent.

The poll, conducted for Newsweek by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from October 31 to November 1, finds that Clinton gets 44 per cent votes of the overall Democratic vote, compared to 24 per cent for Obama and 12 per cent for Edwards.

She is the first choice of 45 per cent of the self-identified Democrats. She trounces Obama among the Democratic female voters (48 per cent to 19 per cent) and enjoys a marginal lead among the male Democratic voters (38 per cent to 32 per cent). — PTI

Ramallah (West Bank), November 5
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice met Palestinian leaders today to prepare for a Middle East conference after vowing to defend Israel’s security but urging bold efforts to make peace.

On her eighth visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories this year in a bid to advance efforts to revive full peace talks after seven years of stalemate, Rice spent the morning locked in top-level talks in Ramallah.

She first met Ahmed Qorei, who heads the Palestinian negotiating team that is battling to draft a joint document with Israel to serve as a basis for the US-sponsor conference later this year.

“We spoke about the need (for Israel) to apply a series of measures on the ground showing people that the negotiations are serious, such as removing checkpoints, releasing prisoners and a halt to settlement,” Qorei said.

Rice also met Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and President Mahmud Abbas separately at the Palestinian leadership compound in Ramallah, political capital of the occupied West Bank.

Despite intensive talks for weeks, Israel and the Palestinians remain divided over the joint statement outlining a solution to their decades-old conflict ahead of a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland expected later this year. — AFP