Kasuri hints Musharraf to quit army post

Washington, June 19: Pakistani Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri today strongly suggested that President Pervez Musharraf would give up his post as army chief by year's end as political opponents have demanded and the country's constitution requires.

Musharraf, a general who took power in a 1999 coup who also holds the title of army chief, is facing growing opposition since his March 9 decision to suspend the country's chief justice.

He has been viewed as reluctant to give up his army post by the end of the year as required by the constitution, a move that would signal the country's return to civilian rule.

Musharraf ''has said he will not violate the constitution.

The constitution allows him to wear it (his army uniform) until the end of the year ... I cannot put words in his mouth but he has said, not one, but one thousand times, that he will abide by the constitution,'' Kasuri told Reuters in an interview.

Pressed on whether Americans should conclude from his remarks that the president will definitely vacate his army post, Kasuri said: ''I will repeat what I said. President Musharraf has said umpteen times that he will abide by the constitution so I think you have a response there.'' Controversially, Musharraf aims to be re-elected, probably while still army chief, by legislative assemblies before they are dissolved in November for a general election around the turn of the year.

Kasuri arrived in Washington for an intensive round of 40 meetings over three days -- including talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates -- as political turmoil continued to roil Pakistan.

Kasuri played down his trip as routine consultations with Pakistan's major ally.

But it follows immediately on trips to Islamabad last week and over the weekend by three key US officials -- Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher and Admiral William Fallon, chief of the US Central Command.

Reuters

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