STRATFOR: BREAKING: Bhutto in on Musharraf's martial law plan- and much much more

[cali]

analysis and info:

PAKISTAN: Musharraf Declares Emergency Rule
November 03, 2007 14 54 GMT



Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in Pakistan Nov. 3. Martial law is essentially in full effect, with the constitution suspended and troops deployed in all major cities. All independent news channels have gone off the air, but news is trickling in through satellite stations and sources on the ground. Pakistani External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee is in New Delhi meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to brief him on the situation.

Later this evening, Musharraf will announce that the emergency has been called out of necessity to contain the rising Islamist insurgency throughout the country. However, the move was made for political reasons. Musharraf, who finagled his way into getting re-elected as president Oct. 6, faces a hostile Supreme Court, of which the majority is in favor of nullifying his presidency, despite the government's persistent threats and bribes. According to Stratfor sources in Pakistan, Musharraf caught wind of the Supreme Court's plans to dislodge him from power, leaving him with no choice but to resort to his last option: declaring emergency rule and holding onto power through force.

Musharraf's problems are from over. Declaring a state of emergency raises the risk that street protests led by galvanized opposition parties will break out. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who leads the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has struck a power-sharing deal with Musharraf to secure her seat within the government when National Assembly elections take place. Sources claim Bhutto was aware of Musharraf's emergency plans. It's no coincidence, then, that Bhutto left for Dubai to visit her family Nov. 2. In order to uphold her end of the bargain, Bhutto can't be seen leading massive street protests that threaten to remove Musharraf from power. Though she risks becoming discredited even further, she has opted to stay out of the picture during this episode.

If street protests get out of hand and troops are likely to fire on civilians, the stakes will be raised high enough for Pakistan's army commanders to pressure Musharraf into stepping aside and giving up his re-election scheme. Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, Pakistan's new army chief, has been increasingly calling the shots in Pakistan and would take the lead should Musharraf be forced to step down.

http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=297729

[seemslikeadream]

1. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2197081

only 41 responses I can see why you missed it

[cali]

2. So what?

I mean really, what's the big deal. It was posted, I gather, a one of the responses. No, I didn't see it, but anyway, I think the STRATFOR piece deserves it's own thread. You want to run around being a board nanny, that's fine, but it's hardly going to change what I post.

[seemslikeadream]

3. from one buddhist to another namaste

just trying to be helpful, there's a lot of good info there, maybe you noticed I'm the one with the Help Burma in my sign line

[cali]

4. In that case

I tender my thanks.

Beautiful picture.

tashi delek