News and Document archive source
copyrighted material disclaimer at bottom of page
NewsMine war-on-terror pakistan before-1999-coup Viewing Item | Us reaction foreknowledge { October 14 1999 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/473507.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/473507.stm
Thursday, October 14, 1999 Published at 04:02 GMT 05:02 UK World: South Asia
Clinton urges return to civilian rule
US President Bill Clinton has urged Pakistan's coup leaders to quickly return the country to civilian democratic rule.
"Pakistan's interest would be served by a prompt return to civilian rule and restoration of the democratic process," he said on Wednesday.
"I urge that Pakistan move quickly in that direction."
The US ambassador to Pakistan, who was away at the time of the military takeover, is now heading back there, said Mr Clinton, to "underscore my view directly to the military authorities and to hear their intentions".
A senior government official told Associated Press on condition of anonymity that US intelligence had warned for several months of the possibility of a military takeover.
It was not a surprise at all that it happened," although the timing of Tuesday's takeover was not known, the official said.
Only three weeks ago, US officials expressed concern about a possible military coup because of political turmoil and opposition demands that Mr Sharif should leave office.
EU's demand
The European Union was quick to react to the takeover.
It issued a statement calling for the return of civilian rule, and suspended the signing of a partnership agreement with Pakistan.
Current EU president Finland said: "The EU can in no circumstances approve extra-constitutional and non-democratic means in any country and therefore urges the Pakistani military to respect democracy and the parliamentary process."
The Commonwealth - a grouping of former British territories - warned that it may suspend Pakistan if the military does not hand over power quickly.
Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku said that what had happened "flies in the face" of democracy and "isolates the Pakistani regime".
Other reaction
Among other countries outside the region expressing their concern:
Germany called for respect for constitution UK condemned unconstitutional action President Obasanjo of Nigeria broke off military relations with Islamabad. Australia called for "earliest restoration of democracy" Japan said it hoped the coup could be resolved peacefully Thailand said it could be a setback for the region's nuclear non-proliferation hopes
|
| Files Listed: 6 |
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been
specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material
available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political,
human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as
provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with
Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without
profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included
information for research and educational purposes. For more information,
go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use
copyrighted material from this site for purpose of your own that go beyond
'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
|