Aug. 13, 2007 issue - Benazir Bhutto, the
exiled, two-time Pakistani prime minister, is now negotiating a
political comeback with President Pervez Musharraf. Last week they
reportedly met face to face in Abu Dhabi after months of back-channel
talks. The two need each other. Bhutto wants to return to Pakistan to
run in next year's elections—without having to face the corruption
charges that drove her into exile. She also needs a repeal of the
two-term limit for elected prime ministers. Musharraf, meanwhile, is
grasping at straws: last month the Supreme Court overturned his
suspension of the chief justice; his approval rating is an anemic 34
percent, and Islamic militants have launched a spate of attacks against
his security forces, including two suicide bombings in Islamabad. He
thus needs the support of Bhutto and her Pakistan People's
Party—arguably the most popular political force in the country—if he
hopes to be re-elected president. From her London home, Bhutto, 54,
discussed Pakistan's political melodrama in a telephone interview with
NEWSWEEK's Ron Moreau. Excerpts:
MOREAU: Did you meet
with President Musharraf last week in Abu Dhabi?
BHUTTO: I know there's been
widespread speculation, but both the presidency and the PPP have not
officially said any meeting took place. Both sides have confirmed that
there are negotiations going on.
Why such secrecy in the talks?
There's confidentiality about the level of the contacts and how they
are taking place, but there's total transparency on the fact that talks
are ongoing. We've been searching for a way to facilitate the transfer
to democracy. We feel that fair elections are very important for
Pakistan and that any attempt to rig the elections would create chaos in
the country.
Did you strike any agreement with Musharraf?
We have covered some points, but there are others still to cover.
These include steps that can be taken to ensure that the coming
elections are fair and open to all political parties and leaders;
lifting the ban on a twice-elected prime minister seeking office a third
time; a balance of power between the president and the prime minister,
and a level playing field for all political parties.
Will you insist that the president resign from the
military before he is re-elected?
Both sides have agreed to differ on this issue. We believe that this
is unconstitutional and will be challenged in Pakistan's apex court,
leading to a fresh controversy and further uncertainty. Such a move
would mean more instability.
Aren't some of your supporters disappointed that you're
talking with Musharraf at a time when a united opposition could perhaps
topple him?
I got a very sweet message from one of our followers who said he was
very pleased that the PPP was talking to the regime to help a stable and
smooth transition to democracy. I know there are people who feel we
could get rid of [Musharraf] by coming onto the streets. But it's a
double-edged sword. Coming out on the streets could give him a pretext
for [declaring] an emergency or military rule.
Why aren't you cooperating with the Islamic political
parties?
The PPP is uncomfortable associating with the alliance of religious
parties known as the MMA. Their policies on extremism are ambiguous. The
PPP wants the people of Pakistan to have a clear choice between the
forces of the future and the forces of the past, between those who
condemn extremism and those that don't.
How would you propose to combat rising Islamic extremism?
A PPP government would commit itself to restoring the rule of law in
all of Pakistan; to the active engagement and pursuit of Al Qaeda and
Taliban terrorists; to the interdiction of the drug trade that funds
terrorism; to the closing of those militant headquarters posing as
political madrassas that house militants and teach hatred.
So when will you return to
Pakistan?
Right now I can only say I'll be back before the end of the year.
During your two terms as prime minister, you were
criticized for mismanaging the country. Would you be different this
time?
The earlier experience taught me a lot. There's been plenty of time
for reflection [since]. We have difficult relations with India and
tensions with Afghanistan. I hope to work with other leaders in the
region to bring about peace. And within Pakistan I hope we will be able
to give transparent government and protect the free press.
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