Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth because of anti-democratic crackdown

Canadian Press via Sun Media with files from Associated Press ^ | 2007-11-22 | Alexander Panetta

[Clive]

Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth because of anti-democratic crackdown By Alexander Panetta, THE CANADIAN PRESS

KAMPALA, Uganda - Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth in response to the anti-democratic crackdowns imposed under emergency rule.

A group of foreign ministers from the 53-member Commonwealth has decided to remove Pakistan until it meets democratic standards.

The group's secretary general, Donald McKinnon, made the announcement at a news conference.

Pakistan, the world's most unstable nuclear power, pleaded for more time today and argued that it was making progress toward restoring democracy.

But as she entered a Commonwealth meeting earlier today, Canadian Junior Foreign Minister Helena Guergis said Pakistan's time had run out.

The Commonwealth largely made up of Britain and its former colonies, had already given Pakistan's military ruler, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a Thursday deadline to lift emergency rule and step down as army chief.

"We adhere to and we support the principles of democracy," Guergis said.

"Right now, we have to uphold that. We have to stand behind that, and support that. Right now Pakistan is not doing that."

She said Pakistan had failed to accomplish any of the five criteria set out for it by the Commonwealth.

A group of nine countries met to decide on Pakistan's status.

The group made its decision not in a standard vote, but through a consensus decision.

Pakistan was last kicked out of the organization in 1999 after Musharraf seized power in a coup. It took the country five years to be reinstated.

Canada's position came after conciliatory-sounding words from Britain.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told reporters before leaving London that Musharraf had assured him on Wednesday that he was moving to meet international concerns.

"He has assured me that he will do his utmost to lift the state of emergency in time for free and fair elections to be held and to give up his military rule and responsibilities as soon as possible," Brown said.

Musharraf has given no timeline for his plans to step down as army chief. However, aides say that could happen as early as Saturday.

Brown said he also spoke to U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday about the crisis in Pakistan.

"We have co-operated closely with Pakistan on economic and political reform, counter-radicalization and vital regional issues," the British leader said.

"But President Musharraf has no doubt about the strength of feeling in the international community" over his decision to restrict civil liberties by declaring a state of emergency, Brown said.

The Queen will formally open the summit on Friday.

After the meeting, Harper will head to Tanzania for a one-day visit before returning home early Tuesday.

En route to Uganda, Harper's plane stopped to refuel in Nice, and the prime minister stepped out of the airport to take a stroll in the rain along the French Riviera.

-With files from The Associated Press

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Sun Media's home page shows the link to this article as follows:

Canada calls for Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth

KAMPALA, Uganda - Canada has called for Pakistan's suspension from the Commonwealth in response to the anti-democratic crackdowns imposed under emergency rule.

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[Hunterite]

“But President Musharraf has no doubt about the strength of feeling in the international community”

**************

When is America going to feel the strength of the international community? How about a trillion dollar international carbon tax. Go Globalization!

[Does so]

Why am I reminded of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia?

==8-0

[Old Sarge]

Pakistan, the world's most unstable nuclear power

Those words chill...

[G8 Diplomat]

Pakistan ping

FReepmail if you want on or off

[airborne]

While I understand the reason for the political posturing, my fear is that Musharraf, intent on preserving his position in the government, may take it the wrong way and tighten his grip instead of relaxing it.

"Canadian Junior Foreign Minister Helena Guergis said Pakistan's time had run out."---"Canada's position came after conciliatory-sounding words from Britain."---"British Prime Minister Gordon Brown told reporters...Musharraf had assured him on Wednesday that he was moving to meet international concerns."

I hope this is just a case of applying pressure through a symbolic "suspension", and nothing more.

The last thing we need is for Musharraf to tip in the wrong direction.

[fanfan]

[DoughtyOne]

IMO, we could very easily make things drasically worse. Drive him into the anti-western camp and watch to see if his citizens are better treated than they are now. And the problems that presents are exponentially worse than what they are now.

How would we like to be kicked out so we can’t help with their nuke security.

We keep trying to dish out advice to other nations at times when it’s almost suicidal to do so. Remember the Shah. We sure fixed that situation, and thirty years later we’re still having to cope with the fix. And they didn’t have nukes.

I completely agree with you here.

[airborne]

How would we like to be kicked out so we can’t help with their nuke security.

That wouldn't be good at all.

It would be nice if we could just do what we need to do without saying anything.

[Old Sarge]

Happy Turkey Day to you, too!

[carton253]

I am reminded of Iran 1979.

[Clive]

Pakistan has not been expelled, it has been suspended.

Pakistan has been suspended before.

[airborne]

I got that from the story. It was when Musharraf first took over in Pakistan. Given his history since then, and the fact that he assured Britain that "he was moving to meet international concerns", what was their objective, other than to publicly rebuke Musharraf?

I wonder if it wouldn't have been more sensible to first warn him that a future suspension was possible?

[Old Sarge]

I am more worried when She Who Must Not Be Named is inevitably IN.

[GAB-1955]

I heard Mr. McKinnon on BBC Radio 4’s “Start the Week”, and he noted that the Commonwealth does have success in pressuring member states to conform to Commonwealth values such as the rule of law and an independent judiciary. He noted “No one likes to get thrown out of a club they joined freely.” Only Zimbabwe has told the Commonwealth to go fly a kite.

[airborne]

I hope it all works out.

The last thing we need is Pakistan to go rogue.