Bhutto to field candidate against Gen Musharraf

Washington, Sep 26 (UNI) Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who proposes to return home next month from her self-exile, says her Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would field a candidate against President Pervez Musharraf in the country's October 6 presidential elections.

Addressing a meeting here yesterday, she said, the PPP would nominate Mr Makhdoom Amin Fahim, one of its vice presidents, as its candidate.

General Musharraf, who took power in a bloodless military coup in 1999, is seeking another term for president.

Bhutto also acknowledged that Musharraf has enough support in Pakistan's current parliament to win the election.

She has criticised the US Government for supporting Gen Musharraf, just like it had supported three earlier military leaders of Pakistan.

"Three times the United States acted out of perceived self -interest to constrain communism. And today, Islamabad enjoys the support of Washington because General Musharraf's military regime is viewed as vital asset in combating extremism and contributing to regional and global security," Bhutto said.

Referring to the negotiations between the PPP and General Musharraf, Bhutto said, the dialogue that we have held over so many months has stalled because supporters of extremists in his party refuse to accept a democratic process.

General Musharraf has not been able to fulfill the commitments because he has a little control on these extremist supporters in his party, Bhutto added.

UNI