DATE=10/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN / COMMONWEALTH (L)
NUMBER=2-255620
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: After concluding a two-day fact finding
trip to Pakistan, representatives of the
Commonwealth of former British colonies say they
failed to get a date from the country's military
rulers for the return of democracy to Pakistan.
As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, the mission
was also unable to see ousted Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif who has been under detention since
his removal from power earlier this month
(October 12th).
TEXT: This was the first high-level visit to
Pakistan by a foreign delegation since a
bloodless military coup removed the elected
government of Prime Minister Sharif.
The leader of the Commonwealth delegation to
Islamabad, Lloyd Axworthy, says his group found
no desire, on the part of the coup leader,
General Pervez Musharraf, for a long period of
military rule.
/// AXWORTHY ACT ///
While General (Pervez) Musharraf did not
commit to a specific time frame, we did
receive a commitment from him to achieving
certain benchmarks of progress, including
the reform of electoral processes and the
establishment of a fully independent
electoral commission.
/// END ACT ///
After the military forces took control of
Pakistan, General Musharraf suspended the
country's constitution and parliament and
declared himself the chief executive of the
country.
Mr. Axworthy says the mandate of his Commonwealth
mission was to explore with the military regime
its plans for an early return of democracy to
Pakistan. While he received no timetable of
when the military would surrender power, Mr.
Axworthy says the military leaders stressed their
intention to observe normal democratic practices.
/// AXWORTHY ACT TWO ///
We received assurances that the rule of law
will be upheld, fundamental human rights,
including freedom of association and
speech, will be protected, and that there
will be due process of law for those
detained in the aftermath of the military
takeover. Progress in these respects will
be a continuing concern to CMAG
(Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group).
/// END ACT ///
The commonwealth mission also sought a face-to-
face meeting with the ousted Prime Minister but
General Musharraf ruled that out, insisting
instead on a telephone interview. Mr. Axworthy
says his mission was told that Mr. Sharif
declined such an interview.
/// AXWORTHY ACT ///
Despite assurances that we could have
telephone contact with Mr. Nawaz Sharif,
this did not take place. The choice of
contact was his and he declined to be in
contact with us by telephone. We were
therefore, unable to obtain any direct
verification of Sharif's health and legal
status.
/// END ACT ///
The delegation will present the findings from its
two-day mission to a meeting next month in South
Africa of Commonwealth heads of government. This
meeting will determine whether Pakistan will
remain suspended from future meetings of the 54-
nation Commonwealth. (Signed)
NEB/AG/KL
29-Oct-1999 13:28 PM EDT (29-Oct-1999 1728 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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