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American Morning
Pakistan President Meets with Some Political Leaders
Aired October 30, 2001 - 10:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Pervez Musharraf, the president, also met today with a U.N. special envoy on Afghanistan. The two talked about the future of Pakistan's neighbor. For the latest, let's check in now live with CNN's John Vause, reporting now from the Pakistani capitol of Islamabad.
John, hello. What's happening now?
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, hello, Bill. A very busy day for the Pakistan president. He is in fact facing growing unrest here across Pakistan. So today he met with some political leaders. He met with the main political party here, will meet with others in coming days. In many ways, it's seen as an attempt by the Pakistan president to shore up his support, as he faces growing disquiet and his military campaign enters its fourth week now. His spokesperson said that those meetings with political parties should not be considered in any way that the government here is in danger of collapse.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAJ. GEN. RASHIN QURESHI, MUSHARRAF SPOKESMAN: There's no question of any change in government here. He keeps meeting with people from the various segments of society to share views, to listen to what they have to say, and it's actually mutual consultations.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Still there are growing problems for President Musharraf and almost daily protests out here across Pakistan, anti U.S. protests, which are quickly turning into anti-Musharraf protests as well.
And in the northwest frontier, thousand of Pakistani men are at the border. They are heavily harmed. They are waiting for the call to cross into Afghanistan. The leader of those men we are told tonight is in Jalalabad, negotiating with the Taliban for their entry, so they can fight alongside the Taliban. Taliban are saying, for the moment, thanks, but no thanks, we will call when we need you, when there is a start to any kind of ground offensive. Obviously,that's one of the problems with which Musharraf is facing.
The other problem he's facing is the growing number of refugees, which are leaving Afghanistan for Pakistan. Today, he met with the U.N. high commissioner on refugees, discussing plans to cater to 300,000 refugees, who will be in some kind of no-man's land, due to the military campaign in Afghanistan. And also, Musharraf Spoke with the United Nations about a future government in Afghanistan, and there is agreement that the future government should reflect and should include the Afghan people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUUD LUBBERS, UNHCR HIGH COMMISSIONER: I really hope there will be a an effort of the Afghan people, because there is the key to end a leadership supporting terrorism, and I do hope those who plan from the big distance far away what's happening here, that they understand this is about people, this is about Afghan people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VAUSE: Still Mr. Musharraf feels confident enough. He says the situation is under control, so he will leave the country for a visit to the United States in a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush a week from Saturday -- Bill.
HEMMER: John Vause, reporting from Islamabad. John, thank you.
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