ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 (AFP)
Pakistan�s new military ruler General Pervez Musharraf outlined his blueprint for a post-coup government Sunday, but gave no precise timetable for the restoration of democracy.
In a passionate address to the nation five days after ousting the elected government of prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Musharraf also announced a �unilateral military de-escalation� along Pakistan�s international borders with rival India.
Announcing the formation of a six-member National Security Council (NSC) to run the affairs of state, Musharraf stressed that the constitution had only been �held in abeyance� temporarily.
�This is not martial law, only another path to democracy,� he said in a 20-minute broadcast carried on state-run television and radio.
�The armed forces have no intention to stay in charge any longer than absolutely necessary, to pave the way for true democracy to flourish in Pakistan.�
However, observers said a seven-point plan for governance outlined by Musharraf suggested a lengthy policy implementation process that appeared to rule out a swift return to civilian rule.
International pressure for the restoration of democracy has been intense since Tuesday�s bloodless coup, with the United States imposing economic sanctions and the European Union threatening to follow suit.
The NSC, to be headed by Musharraf as �chief executive,� will comprise the country�s air force and naval chiefs as well as specialists in the areas of law, finance, foreign affairs and national affairs.
President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar will also remain in office.
A �think-tank of experts� will be formed as an adjunct to the NSC to provide �institutional advice and input,� while a cabinet of ministers will work under the guidance of the council.
The seven-point plan focused on measures to rebuild national confidence and morale, restore national cohesion, revive the economy, ensure law and order, depoliticise state institutions, devolve power to the grassroots and ensure �swift and across the board accountability.�
On relations with India, Musharraf congratulated Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on his recent re-election and called for the resumption of an �unconditional, equitable and result-oriented� dialogue with New Delhi.
�I take this opportunity to announce a unilateral military de-escalation on our international borders with India,� Musharraf said.
�I hope this step will serve as a meaningful confidence-building measure,� he said, adding that all Pakistani military forces moved to border areas �in the recent past� would be withdrawn.
The announcement of de-escalation did not include military forces stationed along the Line of Control dividing Indian and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir � site of a bloody border conflict in May-July.
Warning that South Asia stood �at a crucial juncture in history,� Musharraf said India and Pakistan � the world�s newest nuclear powers � should work together to build a safer scenario.
�We owe it to our people and also to the world.�
However, he also stressed that Pakistan would continue to provide �moral, political and diplomatic support� to Muslim separatists in Indian Kashmir and called on India to �end its oppression� of the Kashmir people.
The two countries have fought three wars since independence in 1947 � two of them over Kashmir.
Reacting swiftly to Musharraf�s proposals, India said Pakistan would have to stop its sponsorship of cross-border terrorism before any resumption of a �meaningful� dialogue.
�There needs to be conducive atmosphere for peace talks. The recent Kashmir conflict in Kargil scuttled the talks,� said Brajesh Mishra, National Security Advisor to the prime minister.
Mishra said New Delhi would adopt a wait-and-see policy towards Musharraf�s de-escalation initiative.
Arguing that he had been given no option in launching a military takeover, Musharraf condemned the legacy left by decades of corrupt and incompetent government since independence in 1947.
�Fifty-two years ago, we started with a beacon of hope and today that beacon is no more and we stand in darkness.
�We have reached a stage where our economy is crumbled, our credibility is lost and our state institutions lie demolished,� he said.
�We have hit rock bottom. We have no choice but to rise, and rise we shall.�
All Over the Globe is published by IPA House.
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