Benazir Bhutto's Interview with Newsweek Sept. 3, 2007
It looks like Pervez Musharraf's days as president of Pakistan may be numbered if he does not change course. With one rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, threatening to return to Pakistan, Musharraf has been meeting with another former archenemy, Benazir Bhutto, about a possible power-sharing arrangement. Bhutto, twice prime minister of Pakistan and currently leader of the popular opposition PPP party, is on the verge of deciding whether to strike a deal with Musharraf. Either way, she expects to leave her family shortly and go back to Pakistan. NEWSWEEK's Lally Weymouth sat down with Bhutto last week in New York. Excerpts:
WEYMOUTH: Some say that if you make a deal with President Musharraf to return to power, it will diminish your popularity.
BHUTTO: Many in my party have been urging me to distance myself from General Musharraf. They say his popularity ratings are down. But I am trying to convince them that the international community and the armed forces have confidence in Musharraf, and therefore we need to work out a solution [with him]. Now we are at a critical point where I am being tugged between those in my party who believe in dialogue and those who think that time is running out.
What have you asked Musharraf to do?
There is a package: we want a balance of power, reforms for a fair election, lifting of the ban on a twice-elected prime minister, as well as immunity for all holders of public office [in cases] where there are unproven charges that go back for a decade or two.
Did you tell Musharraf that he would have to step down as Army chief of staff if you enter into a partnership with him?
I told him that we could not have a working arrangement with the chief of Army staff. His term finishes either this November or December, so we are concerned that there should not be an extension of it.
What issues stand between you and Musharraf?
One is the power of the president to sack the Parliament at his discretion. This power was used in the '90s to destabilize democracy. In 10 years we had 10 governments. We believe this was actually done at the request of the security services. The political parties were discredited and the militants grew in strength. What stands between us right now is [the absence of] confidence-building steps which were promised and which we want done by the end of the month.
Such as?
Lifting the ban on a twice-elected prime minister. He said yes to that in July. And also immunity to holders of public office from 1988 to 2000. He said yes to that in January of this year.
In exchange for your support?
He doesn't want our support, but he doesn't want us going out in the streets and agitating against him.
What are the Americans saying?
Their message is: we want the stability of Pakistan, fair elections, and General Musharraf is our ally.
Can Musharraf get elected without your party?
Yes, [but] I advised him that it was better not to seek election from this assembly. He has a different perspective.
What do you say to critics who say you cannot control the Army?
I say that I controlled the Army better than any of the others: when I was prime minister, the tribal areas were part of Pakistan. Now their control has been ceded to militants and pro-Taliban forces.
If your deal materializes, will Musharraf control the Army?
Yes, but I don't want the security services to disagree with my attack on internal militancy and get him to sack the Parliament once again. Which is why the president must give up the power [to fire the Parliament]. In a perfect situation the prime minister should have the power over the armed services. But in this transition period, if Musharraf is still commander in chief of the armed forces, he will still appoint the Army chiefs.
Have you heard from him lately?
Yes. He's getting back to me by the end of the month. He has to decide. The person stopping him is [Muslim League president] Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. He is telling Musharraf to go with the religious parties, and [saying that] we can get you re-elected and we don't need the PPP.
Can you make an alliance with Nawaz Sharif?
If our negotiations with Musharraf fall apart, we can always turn to the other political party.
So will you return to Pakistan?
I'm planning to go back between September and December. I need be there to strengthen my party and the moderate forces.
Are you worried you will be arrested?
I understand he may try to use state forces to stop me. There is a risk, but I am prepared to take it.
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