Click to play videoNew Delhi: Pakistan’s former prime minister Benazir Bhutto's efforts to strike a deal with General Musharraf could be reaching a decisive make or break stage. A final decision is due today.
Bhutto has been conducting controversial negotiations to end military rule in Pakistan by making General Musharraf a president. But she could have been cornered into that negotiating position.
"Her position was not very strong to begin with, given the charges against her. I think she was also encouraged by the Americans and perhaps the British both want the natural allies of the West, the urban elite and the army stay on their side,” said Dr Jeevan Deol, an expert of Oriental Studies.
Benazir's party (PPP) insists that she's in the process of negotiating a deal because it was the only peaceful way to end Musharraf's rule as general. And they believed the general would agree because he knows his time is up.
Riaz Khan, general secretary, PPP, UK said, "This is the only way for a peaceful transfer of power or transition. He knows his position, there are some American specialists who are supporting him, but the people of Pakistan are not supporting him at all."
But with signs emerging that the general will not accept the proposals put forward by Benazir, she could find it difficult to now go back and talk principle.
"I think it would be very difficult for Benazir to go back and say she is fighting purely for democracy. One big question against her is whether the charges are going to be dropped or put in abeyance. One option for her is to go back and get arrested, that may not work as well for her as it would for Nawaz. His being arrested if it happens is going to look like someone being arrested for the sake of democracy. I don't think she can now manage that same stand,” said Dr Jeevan Deol.
Benazir's hope was to be seen to ease out a general by giving him safe elevation to a proper presidency. The risk: that she compromised with a general who did not listen. The first would have been a dubious deal; the second could be plain disaster.
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