DATE=10/18/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S-PAKISTAN (L)
NUMBER=2-255188
BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
Intro: President Clinton has expressed disappointment
that Pakistani military chief General Pervez Musharraf
- who led last week's coup - is not setting a time-
table for a return to democracy. But U-S officials
are pleased by his gestures toward easing tensions
with India. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the
White House.
Text: Mr. Clinton and other administration officials
are taking a cautious approach toward General
Musharraf - criticizing his overthrow of elected
government on the one hand, while still seeking
dialogue with the military chief.
In a talk with reporters here, the President welcomed
the overtures to India by General Musharraf in his
address to the nation Sunday, while regretting the
absence from the speech of a specific time-frame for a
return to civilian rule:
/// Clinton act ///
A lot of what he said on the substance,
including the conciliatory tone he took toward
India, I think was quite good. But I was quite
disappointed that there was no commitment to a
time-table to move toward democracy. And I
certainly hope that will be forthcoming.
/// end act ///
In his address, General Musharraf said he would
unilaterally withdraw some troops from the Indian
border and pursue peace talks. On Friday, Mr. Clinton
- in a telephone talk with Indian Prime Minister Atal
Bihari Vajpayee - praised Indian restraint in the
aftermath of the coup.
A Clinton spokesman said U-S officials are continuing
to examine additional sanctions against Pakistan
because of the military takeover. But, they say, as a
practical matter there is little more the United
States can do given the far-reaching sanctions already
in place because of Pakistan's nuclear weapons
program.
Through critical of last week's overthrow of the
elected government in Islamabad, the Administration
has pointedly not demanded the restoration to power of
ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and has said the
modalities for a return to constitutional government
are for Pakistanis to decide. (Signed)
NEB/DAG/LTD/JP
18-Oct-1999 12:20 PM EDT (18-Oct-1999 1620 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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