Understanding with Musharraf depends on future events: Benazir

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that an understanding with President Pervez Musharraf would depend on how the events unfolded.

Washington, Aug 17 : Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has said that an understanding with President Pervez Musharraf "would depend on how the events unfolded".

Addressing the Council of Foreign Relations in New York, she explained that there had been an agreement on several issues and Musharraf had committed to taking certain confidence-building measures, but those haven't been taken."

"So, my party is asking that - you know, is it just the talk or is it going to turn into a walk? So that would very much depend on what happens up front and whether we have an understanding. We have tried to have it, and it's not easy," Bhutto said.

Bhutto admitted that she is "risking the PPP's popularity by even having this dialogue with Musharraf, but we understand that instability in Pakistan could threaten our own security as well as that of the region, so we've taken the risk.

Asked if there is a consensus in the Pakistan Army to return to the barracks, she said, "I doubt that there's a consensus. I don't get that sense. But I do get the sense that the army right now is uncomfortable with its role."

The public has turned against the uniform, but there are a group within the armed forces top leadership who have a vested interest in dictatorship, she added.

Bhutto asked Musharraf to hold a free and fair election, which would enhance his reputation among people.

But if there's a perception that the elections have been stolen, she said it could be like Ukraine and the Orange Revolution, where the civil groups and the political parties would get together to force him out.

She admitted "we have problems with Musharraf because he is a coup leader, but on the other hand, the General says that he has committed himself to Pakistan following a moderate path.

Time is running out, and Musharraf should fulfil his commitments made to us in the next two to three weeks before my party meets to take a final decision, the Daily Times quoted Bhutto, as saying.

ANI