Pakistan's Musharraf addresses nation amid move of impeachment

Monday 18th August, 04:52 PM JST

ISLAMABAD —

Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, who is facing moves by the coalition government to impeach him, began addressing the nation Monday afternoon, defending his economic policies and blasting ‘‘false accusations’’ leveled against him by his detractors. Musharraf did not immediately say whether he intends to resign but rather he defended his 1999 coup, saying he took the actions he did then in the interest of the nation. ‘‘Every work was with good intentions. Whatever solution in my view was possible, our government tried, but the first priority was the interest of Pakistan and the interest of the people of Pakistan,’’ the embattled president said. ‘‘Unfortunately, there are some people who have self-interest and they’re putting their interest on top of the country, so some people are trying to blame and they are making false accusations against me.’’

The two major parties in the ruling coalition have said that a motion to impeach Musharraf for subverting the Constitution will be introduced in the National Assembly on Monday if he has not resigned by that time.

Kyodo

Latest 15 of 19 Total Comments Show All

Madverts at 09:57 PM JST - 18th August

I agree with bushlover.

Better a friendly dictator than the fundies...
Madverts at 10:05 PM JST - 18th August

More to the point, I'd rather a nasty but secular dictator as an ally when given the fundies as the other option....

...Especially nuclear powered fundies.
Sarge at 10:18 PM JST - 18th August

"Especially nuclear powered fundies"

Who are they, specifically?

Pakistan certainly could have had a worse leader than Musharraf.
Madverts at 10:27 PM JST - 18th August

Uhm, Pakistan if it turned to fundie governance...I was speaking in the future-conditional of course.

Let's face it, Nawaz Sharif has headed the current impeachment attempts but his judgement is surely coloured by the fact it was his government that Musharraf deposed in 1999. Let's not forget how this guy dealed with the fundies to consolidate power...

Heh, though I'm surprised to see you defending a dictator, sarge.
SuperLib at 11:37 PM JST - 18th August

So what happens next?
undecidedbout08 at 11:50 PM JST - 18th August

So what happens next?

and why was Pakistan created in the first place?
Madverts at 12:27 AM JST - 19th August

Trump card man - heh, old friend, haven't you got anything more original to say?
Jyan_Bon at 02:03 AM JST - 19th August

At least Pakistan's Gen.Musharraf bows respecfully to the desires of the majority Pakistanese. One shameless, despotic MILITARY GENERAL who's still ignoring 100% of the people's desires as well as the world's sensible suggestion to talk to the election winning party is Gen.Than Shwe of Burma.
undecidedbout08 at 02:08 AM JST - 19th August

Musharaff can easily continue his rule in exile - from London/New Islamabad.
Sarge at 07:26 AM JST - 19th August

"a dictator"

Yeah, a dictator, just like Saddam Hussein or Kim Jong Il, right, Madverts?
bushlover at 10:03 AM JST - 19th August

New Islamabad? Are you totally smokin what you're growin man? That place is more like New Mecca NOT New Islamabad!! What's in your water-pipe my friend?
undecidedbout08 at 10:05 AM JST - 19th August

Problem solved:Musharaff and Gordon Brown can just switch places.

I am a genius!
bushlover at 10:17 AM JST - 19th August

Now that undecided is one good suggestion. Musharaff will be right at home. Brown on the other hand will have to pass some political corrections in his new domain.
adaydream at 01:44 PM JST - 19th August

Hell we should give them another big check. $5Billion to Musharraf. How much do we give the next leader? < :-)
Madverts at 11:50 PM JST - 19th August

"Yeah, a dictator, just like Saddam Hussein or Kim Jong Il, right, Madverts?"

No two dictators are the same, sarge, but one thing that is blatantly apparent is that it's best to keep a dictator friendly, like good old Saddam used to be to the US, heh, before he turned to the dark side of the Force of course.

Mush was on our side - and like I said, Pakistan now has a top politician who has prven he has no qualms trading with the fundies for power. Good luck defending that one...