US official Negroponte urges Musharraf to end emergency rule

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-19-2007 08:59

U.S. envoy John Negroponte speaks during a news conference in Islamabad November 18, 2007. Negroponte said on Sunday he has urged Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to end emergency rule, warning it was "not compatible" with free and fair elections due by early January. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte is urging Pakistan to lift the state of emergency, end media restraints and release political detainees. But he also commended President Pervez Musharraf for his efforts in the war on terror.

John Negroponte carried the message from Washington directly to President General Pervez Musharaf.

John Negroponte said, "I urged the government of Pakistan to stop such actions, to lift the state of emergency and release all political detainees. Emergency rule is not compatible with free, fair and credible elections."

Negroponte welcomed Musharraf's announcement that elections would take place in January and his commitment to quitting the army post before commencing his second term. He also praised Musharraf's efforts in the war on terror.

Musharraf continues to insist that he will not lift the widely criticized emergency rule unless the security situation improves. He reiterated his vision for a moderate, prosperous and democratic Pakistan.

Negroponte says reconciliation between moderate political forces is very desirable.

Just ahead of Negroponte's visit, Musharraf freed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and loosened his restrictions on several independent television news outlets.

Negroponte's trip was seen as a last best chance to avoid political turmoil in Pakistan, a key front in the U.S. war on terror.

Editor:Du Xiaodan