US looks at plan to oust Musharraf

[rodeodance]

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21378237-2703,00.html

US looks at plan to oust Musharraf

* Bruce Loudon, South Asia correspondent
* March 14, 2007

THE US has indicated for the first time that it might be willing to back plans by elite echelons of the military in Islamabad to oust Pervez Musharraf from power, as the Pakistani President was beset by major new difficulties over his attempts to sack the country's chief justice.
Reports yesterday quoting highly placed US diplomatic and intelligence officials - previously rusted on to the view that General Musharraf was an indispensable Western ally in the battle against terrorism - outlined a succession plan to replace him.

US officials told The New York Times the plan would see the Vice-Chief of the Army, Ahsan Saleem Hyat, take over from General Musharraf as head of the military and former banker Mohammedmian Soomro installed as president, with General Hyat wielding most of the power.

The report adds another dimension to the range of challenges bearing down on the embattled military ruler following his weekend sacking of chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, whom he appointed just over a year ago.

Thousands of lawyers clashed with baton-wielding riot police yesterday during a nationwide day of action against the sacking of the top judge. About 3000 lawyers wearing smart black suits and chanting "Down with Musharraf" dismantled barriers in an attempt to stage a sit-in outside the Lahore High Court building. .........

[stillcool]

1. Oy....

I've been seeing articles about 'problems' with Pakistan. I really don't think I can comprehend another player emerging to the forefront.

[gratuitous]

2. But isn't Parvez our great and good friend?

Now we're mulling over plans to give him the Mussolini retirement option? Gee whiz it's tough to be an ally of the Bush administration. Maybe Musharraf should take some groveling lessons from Tony Blair.

[DavidDvorkin]

12. So was Saddam

Until he wasn't.

Put not your trust in princes!

[soothsayer]

3. oh, and THEN I suppose we'll go after osama? anyone remember

obl?

[kirby]

4. Ally?

How much of an ally is he when his country continues to harbor Bin Laden?

The Pakastani intelligence services undermine a lot of what we do (going back decades). Always have, always will.

[ck4829]

5. Between Iraq and a hard place again

We oust Musharraf, our 'ally', I bet total chaos reigns supreme in Pakistan, and it goes from the frying pan into the fire, I'm calling it now.

[Taverner]

6. Second that

It's about time we realize that Bushco sucks at nation building

[Nickster]

8. Don't forget all of those nuclear weapons and technology as well. Chaos with real weapons falling

into the wrong hands.

[madinmaryland]

7. If he is ousted what is going to replace him?

It will either be chaos or an islamic theocracy (ala Iran or Afganistan/Taliban) and they WILL have Nuclear weapons.

:scared:

[dkofos]

9. I guess we know where *&dick will get the nukes for the next

terra-ist event. They must keep the country on it's toes.

[BlueManDude]

10. There are no good options in Pakistan - the nuclear stuff really worries me

[YankeyMCC]

11. When the hell are we going to learn and start being true

world leaders and setting an example of better more effective and just international relations. I guess it's just to much to ask and I'm being to idealistic in this regard.

[High Plains]

13. Excuse me, but isn't it up to the Pakistanis to choose their leaders?

Ah, imperial arrogance. It has served us so well.

[BluePatriot]

14. Anyone else remember...

when Musharraf was on the Daily Show? It was VERY funny and narrowly avoided the level of "international incident."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15020849/

"...As a gesture mirroring Pakistani hospitality, Stewart welcomed Musharraf with a cup of jasmine green tea, and offered the more American delicacy of a Twinkie. Musharraf chuckled and thanked the host, though Stewart promptly changed the subject.


“Where’s Osama bin Laden?” he asked suddenly..."

[VegasWolf]

15. Nation building, no Oil bearing country is too small. bush the lesser. nt

[damntexdem]

16. Oh what a shame! I didn't know that Pakistan had stopped being a sovereign nation.

When did it legally become an American colony in the eyes of international law?

[roamer65]

17. Ousting Musharraf? Quickest route to a Pakistani civil war.

Most of the resistance will come from Waziristan province, which is effectively under Taliban control. The Pakistani military does not go there...

[happyslug]

27. Maybe that is the Plan, have the Taliban to busy in Pakistan to fight in Afghanistan

n/t

[MissMillie]

29. How amazingly ironic....

That's exactly what the experts said about Iraq.... and it turns out they were right....

[daleo]

18. Maybe they should go back to democracy

Of course, the west probably wouldn't like an elected government in Pakistan. By now, it might be quite hard line Islamic, given a truly free vote.

[kitty1]

19. If the CIA decides to oust Mushi, will he spill some government beans...

I wonder if he might then turn to the "Dark Side" (Al Qaida not Cheney) and assist them with some high level secrets if he feels betrayed.
The government will probably have to bribe him handsomely to shut him up.
Can't wait until his next book comes out.

[TroglodyteScholar]

23. I'm guessing it's not in the plans that Musharraf should survive...

Not all coups are bloodless--and if there's anything Bush loves, it's spilling blood.

[anakie]

20. replace one military stooge with another

just like another war about 40 years ago. Of course the US can't call for full free and fair elections because they know the result will be an Islamic Government. Elections are ok when the result favours US imperial policy but the current (mis)administration can't trust those Pakistanis to choose the correct candidate. Another case of US hypocracy.

Peace

[sendero]

21. These morons..

... will never learn will they. It is precisely this sort of meddling in the affairs of others that has led us to this sorry state.

It boggles the mind just how stupid the folks running our country actually are. They cannot manage the simplest thing without making a cock-up of it, yet they feel qualified to impose their idiocy on others.

[ShortnFiery]

22. Sure, ousting a dictator worked so well recently in Iraq, why not in Pakistan?

:wow: :nuke: :crazy:

[Amused Musings]

24. What is funny is that

it does not mention what Musharraf thinks about US policymakers openly talking about removing him...unless he is just finding out right now. This reminds me of situations where people are talking about a person who is in the same room.



US: "So about Musharraf..."

Top Pakistani Generals: "yes, yes, We are listening."

Musharraf: "Hellloooo? Like, I'm right here, guys."

The deeper problem is that the Pakistani regime, ever since it lost East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), has furiously and vainly sought strategic parity with India. India, on the other hand, wants Pakistan to respect and acknowledge its local hegemony (along with the fact that Kashmir will stay within Indian sovereignty). This has led to the local nuclear arms-race and what I (and many others I might add) believe to be the only place on Earth where there might be a possible nuclear exchange between states.

[pinniped]

25. The Shah of Pakistan?

?

[eridani]

26. Maybe this should be a separate item, anyway n/t

[Roland99]

28. Wolfowitz's Citibank buddy is already the PM there. Just promote him.

wheeeeee!!!