US willing to ensure respectable stay for Mush in Pak: Report

Washington, Aug 12 (PTI) - The U.S. may not want to
interfere in the impeachment process against President Pervez
Musharraf terming it an internal affair, but is apparently
willing to help ensure "full indemnity" and "honourable stay"
in Pakistan for its key ally in the war on terror should he
agree to quit.

During her recent visit to Washington, U.S. Ambassador to
Pakistan Anne Patterson consulted senior White House and State
Department officials on the Pakistan People's Party,
P.P.P.-led ruling coalition's decision to impeach the
beleaguered President, the 'Dawn' daily quoted diplomatic and
U.S. official sources as saying.

While the coalition declared its plans to impeach
Musharraf following Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani's return from
the US, diplomatic sources told the paper his government had
consulted both Americans and army prior to the announcement.

Sources said Americans told the Pakistanis they wanted to
stay neutral on this issue and would support any move which
was "consistent with the rule of law and the Constitution."

The coalition government in Pakistan also wanted some
senior U.S. official or lawmaker to publicly persuade
Musharraf to quit, an approach similar to the one adopted in
case of Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

The U.S., however, preferred to remain neutral on the
issue while appearing willing to use its influence to arrange
for a secure and honourable stay for Musharraf in Pakistan
should he agree to quit, the sources were quoted as saying.

"They have apparently agreed to help assure a secure and
honourable stay for him in Pakistan," said one source. "They
also want to ensure that the President should be given full
indemnity should he agree to step down."

"This is more or less what the Pakistan army also wants,"
the Dawn said, quoting the source.

Diplomatic sources say Pakistan government may directly
appeal to U.S. President George W Bush to help defuse the
current political crisis here. PTI WAJ