US looks at plan to oust Musharraf

[babylonsister]

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.

more...

[eagler]

1. Too bad we can't stay out of others' business.

We wouldn't be in the fix we're in now if we would

[SnowGoose]

2. Thousands of lawyers clashed with baton-wielding riot police...

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around that image.

:crazy:

[Gloria]

3. Here's a few pics for you.....

[Gloria]

4. Wait! Just the other day, the US lavished praise on Pakistani democracy....

http://www.karachinews.net/story/233836

"US satisfied with the process of strengthening democratic institutions in Pakistan"

Karachi News.Net
Tuesday 13th March, 2007 (ANI)

Quetta, Mar 13 : Outgoing US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan C Crocker has said that Pakistan was the "most reliable" ally in the US-led war against terrorism, and that it had paid a heavy price in this war.

He assured Islamabad of US' continuous support for the promotion of democracy and strengthening of the parliamentary institutions in the country.

Talking to reporters in Quetta, he said the US was "satisfied" with the process of strengthening democratic institutions in Pakistan.

"We are providing resources to strengthen the democratic process in the country," The News quoted him as saying.

He added that the PITRC was an 8 million dollar aid component of USAID for Islamabad for the Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (PLSP) and a part of a programme to build the capacity of the four provincial assemblies as well as the National Assembly and the Senate.

(MORE)



And Musharaff is talking "5 more years"......SILLY BOY!!!!!

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

5. Sounds like ChimpCo is playing with fire again

If they oust one strong man in favor of another, and if there's another civil war in that part of the world, I'm sure we'll later find out that the Chimp didn't even know there were different sects who might have grudges against each other, like Punjabis, Sindhis, Pashtoons, Mujhars and the like.