Saturday, Apr 27, 2002
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By B. Muralidhar Reddy
In a wide-ranging interview with the Pakistan English daily, Dawn, Gen. Musharraf did not rule out the possibility of another referendum after five years. However, he had not thought about the issue so far. ``I will look into the possibility keeping in mind the environment prevailing at the time. I will keep the national interest supreme. I will see whether the people want me or not. I am a great believer in self-analysis. I will proceed according to the ground realities,'' he told the daily in response to a specific question. Asked for his response to a scenario where a Prime Minister decides to have the term of his government extended through a referendum rather than elections, Gen. Musharraf said it would be for the Supreme Court to decide whether such an option was available under the Constitution. He maintained that under the Constitution, only the President could hold a referendum. In defence of his position to continue as the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Musharraf said idealism was good but one had to be pragmatic. The targets he had set for himself necessitated that he should adopt a pragmatic approach, especially when there was a decline all around. "It is necessary for me to remain in uniform. Do understand the power of the Army Chief.'' He would not allow the former Prime Ministers, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, a role in the future, as this would restore the pre-1999 situation, which he would never let happen. He was determined to implement his reform agenda and would not let these leaders come back. Asked about the people he was relying upon for support in the referendum when all major parties, including religious ones, and bar associations were opposed to him, Gen. Musharraf said the factual position would become clear on April 30 — the day of the referendum. Gen. Musharraf said that Ms. Bhutto and Mr. Sharif had nothing in common. Religious parties had their own thinking. Political parties hated one another but they seemed united because they were targeting him (Gen. Musharraf) as their common enemy. Since he wanted to keep such elements out of power, there was no possibility of conciliation with them. "In the future, maybe, a reconciliation for a national government is possible.'' About the constitutional amendments he planned to make, Gen. Musharraf said he had no intention to spring any surprise and would have the proposed package debated in the media for about two months. A National Security Council would be set up to ensure that a future government did not violate the national interests, involve itself in misgovernance or corruption. As for the Prime Minister, Gen. Musharraf said that he would be fully powerful. "He'll have all powers he deserves.'' There would be no power-sharing. There was a need for a new balance of power among the three power brokers — President, Prime Minister and Army Chief.
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