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US steps in to bail Musharraf out of political crisis: Report
Islamabad, Aug 31: Worried over reports of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf trying to strike a deal with the anti-American Islamist MMA alliance to tide over the present political crisis, US has begun efforts to bring about rapprochement between the general and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, media reports said today.
Islamabad, Aug 31: Worried over reports of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf trying to strike a deal with the anti-American Islamist MMA alliance to tide over the present political crisis, US has begun efforts to bring about rapprochement between the general and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, media reports said today.
Richard G Lugar, chairman of the US Senate committee on foreign relations has begun efforts to open up new channels of communications between Musharraf and Bhutto who lives in self exile in London, the daily 'Dawn' said.
The US reportedly stepped up pressure on Musharraf as he persistently tried to work out a compromise with the anti-American Islamist Alliance, Muthahia Majlis Amal, (MMA) instead of liberal parties after painting Bhutto and another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as country's number one enemies, it said.
Senator Lugar stepped in after the failure of similar attempts made by Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, the daily said.
The US was interested to see Bhutto's return to Pakistan as it does not want to see the marginalisation of liberal and progressive elements in Pakistan politics, it said.
Musharraf has already made it clear he would not allow Bhutto and Sharif to return to take over power. Both were prevented from contesting the last general elections on the grounds of amended rules of disqualification brought in by the General.
Bhutto's PPP and Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N, has a combined strength of 80 seats in the 342 member National Assembly.
The US reportedly stepped up pressure on Musharraf as he persistently tried to work out a compromise with the anti-American Islamist Alliance, Muthahia Majlis Amal, (MMA) instead of liberal parties after painting Bhutto and another former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as country's number one enemies, it said.
Senator Lugar stepped in after the failure of similar attempts made by Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca, the daily said.
The US was interested to see Bhutto's return to Pakistan as it does not want to see the marginalisation of liberal and progressive elements in Pakistan politics, it said.
Musharraf has already made it clear he would not allow Bhutto and Sharif to return to take over power. Both were prevented from contesting the last general elections on the grounds of amended rules of disqualification brought in by the General.
Bhutto's PPP and Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League-N, has a combined strength of 80 seats in the 342 member National Assembly.
Bureau Report