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DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S / PAK WRAP (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-254943
BYLINE=KYLE KING
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO:  The United States is calling on the Pakistani 
military to restore democracy quickly, following a 
coup that overturned the government of Prime Minister 
Nawaz Sharif.  At the State Department, U-S officials 
say the full circumstances of what is taking place in 
Pakistan are  not  yet clear.  Correspondent Kyle King 
reports:
TEXT:  U-S officials are carefully monitoring what 
they describe as a political crisis in Pakistan.
With Pakistani troops surrounding the home of Prime 
Minister Nawaz Sharif, U-S officials have been 
reluctant to describe the situation as a coup.
Shortly before Pakistani television announced Mr. 
Sharif had been dismissed, State Department Spokesman 
James Rubin urged officials to respect the 
constitution.
            /// FIRST RUBIN ACT ///
      We believe as we have stated before, and let me 
      reiterate very strongly today, that Pakistan's 
      constitution should be respected in both its 
      spirit and its letter.
            /// END ACT ///
But Mr. Rubin described the situation in the country 
as fluid, and he said U-S diplomats were trying to 
access the latest developments.  He said the United 
States wants a speedy return to democracy if a 
military takeover has taken place.
            /// SECOND RUBIN ACT ///
      If there has been a coup we would seek the 
      earliest possible restoration of democracy in 
      Pakistan and clearly we would not be in a 
      position to carry on business as usual with 
      Pakistani authorities.
            /// END ACT ///
The State Department said the United States had  no  
advance warning of the latest events, which come just 
three weeks after U-S officials warned of a possible 
military takeover.
Rumors of a possible coup have surrounded Mr. Sharif 
since early July when he ordered the army to withdraw 
Pakistani-backed militants from the Indian side of the 
disputed border in Kashmir. Critics of Mr. Sharif 
described the action as a humiliation.
As the latest crisis in Pakistan unfolds, the State 
Department is advising U-S citizens to exercise 
caution and avoid unnecessary trips there.  (Signed)
NEB/KBK/WTW
12-Oct-1999 18:42 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 2242 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.