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| Saturday, 26 February 2005 |
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Pakistan will choose my successor, not me-Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Friday (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said he would not nominate a successor and said the potential sale of a U.S. anti-missile system to India was not a cause for alarm. Musharraf, who has survived two al Qaeda inspired assassination attempts, said Pakistan's next leader would be chosen by its people and the National Assembly. "I'm an optimist, as I said, and I don't think very much of such extreme possibilities, but I do know there is a political process in place," the president replied when asked by Reuters Video News who would run the country should an assassin succeed. "There is no monarchy going on here, I don't have to nominate an heir. The people of Pakistan, the Assembly of Pakistan will select a person who would lead if I am not there," Musharraf said, speaking via a satellite link between Islamabad and London. Under the constitution the chairman of the senate would become acting president until a successor was chosen. Asked in the interview if he would consider working with Bhutto in order to garner support for his progressive polices, Musharraf said all moderate forces should join together before adding: "Let's leave personalities aside." The release of Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, who was bailed in November after eight years of detention on charges ranging from corruption to murder, had sparked speculation that Musharraf was trying to make a deal with Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party ahead of elections due in 2007. Pakistan's foreign ministry voiced concerns over a possible arms race in South Asia after a U.S. delegation in New Delhi earlier this week showed Indian government and defence officials what the Patriot system could do. But Musharraf showed far less alarm. "It does worry to the extent that, yes, we'll have to do something about it. But, we are very capable of addressing our defensive concerns," he said. "Defensive deterrence levels will be maintained," said Musharraf, referring to a strategy that hinges on Pakistan's own nuclear arsenal. Musharraf said he did not read any negative signal into the U.S.-India meeting. Washington has also conferred the status of non-Nato ally on Pakistan in recognition of its help in the global war on terror. |
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