US, EU urges return to democracy

ISTANBUL—Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Saturday it was “highly regrettable” that Pakistan’s president had declared a state of emergency. She urged restraint on all sides and a swift return to democracy.
The United States “does not support extraconstitutional measures,” Rice said in an interview with CNN from Turkey, where she was participating in a conference with Iraq’s neighbors. Gen. Pervez Musharraf suspended the constitution ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on his future as president and replaced the chief justice. His government blocked transmissions of private news channels in several Pakistani cities. Telephone services in the capital were cut.
The Bush administration said it was “deeply disturbed” by the developments, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement. “A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule,” McCormack said.
Musharraf, who took power in a 1999 coup, claimed a sweeping victory in voting Oct. 6. He has pledged to quit the army before starting a new five-year term, but declined on election night to say whether he would accept a negative verdict from the court.
“President Musharraf has stated repeatedly that he will step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office and has promised to hold elections by January 15th,” McCormack said, referring to parliamentary voting. “We expect him to uphold these commitments and urge him to do so immediately.” At the White House, officials tracking the fast-moving developments had no immediate public response. But the strong-armed maneuvers by Musharraf appeared to be a clear blow to the Bush administration, which has aggressively tried to stem any move toward authoritarianism in Pakistan, an important ally in the fight against terrorism.
McCormack offered words of support for pro-democracy efforts in Pakistan. “The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in supporting a democratic process and in countering violent extremism,” McCormack said. “We urge all parties to work together to complete the transition to democracy and civilian rule without violence or delay”.
White House has asked President Musharraf to quit the army office before he is sworn in as the president. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, “The United States is deeply disturbed by reports.” “A state of emergency would be a sharp setback for Pakistani democracy and takes Pakistan off the path toward civilian rule.