Benazir unhappy with Musharraf, US: Paper

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is said to be unhappy with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Washington for not getting a positive response from them on a power-sharing deal.

Washington, Aug 21 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is said to be unhappy with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Washington for not getting a positive response from them on a power-sharing deal.

Benazir, who has been camping in New York for the past three weeks after meeting Musharraf last month in Abu Dhabi, will be heading back to London now, The Washington Post reported, adding that she came to New York apparently for holding talks with US officials.

The Dawn quoted the report as saying that the constant backing that Musharraf receives from the White House has made Benazir impatient with the Bush Administration.

Islamabad's 'ominous silence' has made her more determined to return to Pakistan after being in 'self-exile' for eight years, the paper said.

"She is heavily favoured in elections scheduled for this autumn as leader of the Pakistan People's Party. But General Musharraf wants his election as President while Ms Bhutto is still in exile," it noted, adding, "Time is running out, with agreement needed in early September."

"If Musharraf is backing away from a power-sharing arrangement and is intent on being elected president without Bhutto as a partner, they are on a collision course," said the Post.

Describing the Bush Administration as "the silent matchmaker for an unlikely political marriage of bitter opponents: Musharraf and Bhutto," the report said the unstated US goal in trying to arrange a deal between the two leaders "is a democratic Pakistan, with the unpopular Musharraf retaining his presidency and the popular Bhutto returned to the prime minister's office".

ANI