US asks Musharraf to end emergency, free political prisoners

Islamabad (PTI): In a strong message to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, the US has asked him to lift emergency and release all political prisoners, asserting that this alone would ensure a free and fair general election due in January.

Washington's message was conveyed to the military ruler by Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who also asked Musharraf to quit as Army Chief "as soon as possible" and stop the suppression of the media and arrests of political and human rights leaders.

"Emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair and credible elections, which require the active participation of political parties, civil society, and the media," Negroponte told an early morning press conference here winding up his visit to Pakistan.

The second highest ranking American diplomat -- who held talks yesterday with the military ruler and Gen Asfaq Pervez Kiyani, who is tipped to succeed Musharraf as Army Chief -- said "recent police actions against protesters, suppression of the media, and arrests of political and human rights leaders" could undermine Pakistan's transition to a moderate and democratic nation.

"I urged the government of Pakistan to stop such actions, lift the state of emergency, and release all political detainees," he said. "If these steps aren't taken, it will undermine the government's ability to conduct satisfactory elections."

Negroponte said he had "encouraged reconciliation between political moderates as the most constructive way forward" but indicated the scenario in Pakistan had "polarised somewhat" due to recent developments like the arrest of thousands of people and former Premier Benazir Bhutto being placed under house arrest twice in five days.

Noting that the best way to counter extremism was to "develop and nurture a moderate political centre", he said: "In the current circumstances, engagement and dialogue - not brinkmanship and confrontation - should be the order of the day for all parties."

Negroponte, the first senior US official to visit Pakistan after the imposition of emergency on November 3, also met National Security Advisor Tariq Aziz, former Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Taj. He also spoke on phone with Bhutto, who was released from house arrest in Lahore hours before his arrival here on Friday.

During Negroponte's talks with Musharraf, the General repeated in "categorical terms" his commitment to hold Parliamentary polls in January.

"(Musharraf) also repeated his commitment to retire from his Army Post before commencing his second Presidential term, and we urge him to do so as soon as possible," Negroponte said.

He pointed out that the police actions against protesters, suppression of the media, and arrests of political and human rights activists could undermine the progress, economic growth and development made by Pakistan in the past few years.

Source: hindu.com