DATE=10/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK COUP (L-SECOND UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-254947
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan's army has removed the prime
minister and arrested him and senior members of
his government. In a nation-wide address on
state-run television, Pakistan's Army Chief
accused the dismissed government of Nawaz Sharif
of destroying state institutions and bringing the
country's economy to the edge of collapse. From
Islamabad, VOA's Scott Anger reports.
TEXT: Dressed in battle fatigues, General Pervez
Musharraf appealed to the Pakistani people early
Wednesday morning to stay calm and to support his
removal of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. General
Musharraf says the military coup was a last
resort to prevent any further destabilization in
the country.
/// MUSHARRAF ACT ///
Not only have all the institutions been
played around with, and systematically
destroyed, the economy too is in a state of
collapse. We are also aware of the self-
serving policies being followed which have
rocked the very foundation of the
federation of Pakistan.
/// END ACT ///
The military coup followed a dismissal order by
Prime Minister Sharif to remove Pakistan's
powerful military leader. Army troops took
control of the country immediately after the
prime minister's order.
General Musharraf staged the coup as he flew back
to Pakistan from an official visit to Sri Lanka
Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. Sharif, along with other senior members of
his government and the country's intelligence
chief, have been arrested and are being held at
an unknown location in Islamabad.
Pakistanis took to the streets, waving flags and
dancing, celebrating the fall of Nawaz Sharif's
government as troops continue to stand guard
throughout the country.
Tensions have been growing between Prime Minister
Sharif and General Musharraf since the withdrawal
of Pakistani forces from Indian Kashmir under U-S
pressure earlier this year. Pakistan's military
was widely seen in the West as being behind the
fighting in Kashmir, which triggered the worst
confrontation between Pakistan and India in 30
years. The Army viewed the prime minister's
decision to withdraw from Indian Kashmir as a
betrayal.
There have been no reports of resistance or
violence. International telephone service has
been restored in the capital after a disruption
of several hours, and a bank holiday has been
announced on state-run television.
In his brief television appearance, General
Musharraf did not issue a policy statement
regarding the future of Pakistan and did not
outline any plans for the country. He has
promised to make such a statement soon. (Signed)
NEB/SA/TVM/gm
12-Oct-1999 19:27 PM EDT (12-Oct-1999 2327 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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