18 October 1999
Text: U.S. Welcomes Musharraf's Pledge to Return to Democracy in Pakistan
(Rubin: U.S. actions will be guided by steps by new authorities) (600) The United States welcomes the pledge by Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Musharraf in an address to his nation October 17 "to work for a return to democracy and his promise that the armed forces would not stay in charge any longer than necessary," State Department Spokesman James Rubin said October 17. "At the same time, we are disappointed that he did not offer a clear timetable for the early restoration of constitutional, civilian and democratic government. We call upon him to do so now." Rubin said "The United States believes that it is critically important for Pakistan to begin to resolve its differences with India, including the conflict over Kashmir. In this regard, we welcome General Musharraf's commitment to dialogue with India." "The United States will watch closely as the General acts to fulfill his pledge to return his country to democracy and to address the other serious problems he identified ...," Rubin said. "Our own actions toward Pakistan in the days ahead will be guided by the steps taken by the new authorities." Following is the text of Rubin's statement: (begin text) U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement by James P. Rubin, Spokesman October 17, 1999 Pakistan: General Musharraf's Speech In an address to his nation today, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Musharraf defended the military's removal of the government of Prime Minister Sharif and spelled out his aims and objectives in the days ahead. Because we do not believe military takeovers are the appropriate method for resolving the problems that face democracies, we welcome his pledge to work for a return to democracy and his promise that the armed forces would not stay in charge any longer than necessary. At the same time, we are disappointed that he did not offer a clear timetable for the early restoration of constitutional, civilian and democratic government. We call upon him to do so now. General Musharraf also addressed Pakistan's international priorities. The United States believes that it is critically important for Pakistan to begin to resolve its differences with India, including the conflict over Kashmir. In this regard, we welcome General Musharraf's commitment to dialogue with India. We also welcome measures such as the unilateral draw down of military forces along the international border with India that General Musharraf announced. We hope that this move could be expanded to include forces along the Line of Control in Kashmir and urge Pakistan to undertake other confidence building measures that could lead to a lessening of tensions with India. We note General Musharraf's statements with respect to global non-proliferation objectives and nuclear and missile restraint. He also stated his belief that the Afghan conflict can be settled only through establishment of a representative government in Kabul, a view we share. As General Musharraf told his nation, actions speak louder than words. The United States will watch closely as the General acts to fulfill his pledge to return his country to democracy and to address the other serious problems he identified, including the economy and corruption. We call on General Musharraf to respect civil liberties, freedom of the press and human rights while this process proceeds. Our own actions toward Pakistan in the days ahead will be guided by the steps taken by the new authorities. (end text) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)
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