Bhutto Calls on Merkel
November 9, 2007
From outside her home shortly before she was placed under house arrest -- from which she was later released -- on Friday, Nov. 9, the former Pakistani prime minister urged Germany's chancellor to use her international influence to improve the political situation in Pakistan.
"Chancellor Merkel should exert pressure on Musharraf," Bhutto told Germany's mass-circulation Bild newspaper. "We demand the immediate resignation of President Musharraf as head of the military and a clear timetable for elections."
Hours after she was prevented from leaving her home, Bhutto was released from her house arrest on Friday. She said she would stick to her plan to protest rally against emergency rule imposed by Musharraf.
"The authorities have removed the police that were deployed around her residence since this morning," Bhutto's spokesman Farhatullah Babar told Germany's dpa news agency from her residence.
"People want democracy in Pakistan"
Referring to Merkel's visit to US President George W. Bush at his ranch in Crawford, Texas later Friday, Bhutto added: "Chancellor, please inform President Bush that the people want democracy in Pakistan and not the empty promises that President Musharraf makes to us."
Bhutto was prevented by police from leaving Islamabad earlier on Friday, supposedly to safeguard her against possible attempts on her life during a planned protest in the capital's twin city Rawalpindi.
"It was a temporary detention order to keep her from getting exposed to a very serious threat of suicide bombing," Deputy Information Minister Tariq told reporters.
German government urged Musharraf to release Bhutto
The German government called on Musharraf to release Bhutto from house arrest, along with the political activists detained in recent days.
"We call on the Pakistani leadership also to reverse the numerous arrests of political activists," Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said in Berlin.
Bundestag members condemned the detention of opposition supporters and members of the judiciary, warning Musharraf's actions were playing into the hands of Islamists.
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the declaration of a state of emergency was a "severe blow" not only to democracy but also a threat to long-term stability of Pakistan. He added that Germany would re-examine its arms exports to Pakistan and would also restrict economic assistance to projects which solely benefit the population.
US also concerned
The United States also expressed its concern over the political situation in Pakistan.
"We remain concerned about the continued state of emergency and curtailment of basic freedoms, and urge Pakistan's authorities to quickly return to constitutional order and democratic norms," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "It is crucial for Pakistan's future that moderate political forces work together to bring Pakistan back on the path to democracy."
Despite the state of emergency and crackdown on the opposition, the US has not decided to cut the hundreds of millions of dollars worth of aid it pays to Pakistan, which is a key supporter of the United States' anti-terror activities in the Middle East. Washington has provided nearly $10 billion (6.8 billion euros) in aid to Islamabad since 2001.
Musharraf cites insurgent violence for emergency powers
Musharraf, who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, last Saturday declared a state of emergency, suspending the constitution and fundamental rights, and imposed media curbs.
The military leader said escalating insurgent violence and hostile judicial activism necessitated the step, although his critics say it was to retain his hold on power without having to step down as army chief.
Musharraf, who had previously pledged to relinquish his military status before being sworn in for a further term, said this week that resistance to his government would not be tolerated.
"All means will be used to control the protests," he said.
Musharraf has pledged legislative elections -- originally slated for January -- by February 15 and to resign as army chief as soon as the Supreme Court validates his Oct. 6 presidential victory.