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Published
by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times. CLICK FOR NEWSPAPER DELIVERY
Monday, November 12, 2001
Musharraf won't resign in 2002
Pakistani president says he wants to be 'neutral figurehead'
By Ron Kampeas
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in Pakistan in 1999, said Sunday he has no plans to relinquish the presidency in elections next year. He plans instead to eventually become a neutral "figurehead" to his people.
Musharraf's remarks were the first time he explicitly counted out including the presidency in October 2002 national and provincial elections, the first since his bloodless coup.
"I myself will remain as the president, and that is for sure, beyond 2002," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
He said participating in elections would undermine his status as a unifying figure. "I would rather like to remain in my position as implementing something for the good of the country. I'll be a neutral figurehead."
Opposition parties fear that Musharraf will rewrite the nation's constitution before the elections to broaden the president's power.
Before Sept. 11, Musharraf had been under pressure from the West to democratize Pakistan. Since the terrorist attacks, the U.S. has come to rely on Pakistan in the war against terrorists and their protectors in Afghanistan.
Also, the Bush administration has lifted sanctions imposed because of the coup. Over the weekend, Bush announced $1 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan, as well as debt relief.
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