Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD4573
2007-10-25 13:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
POLITICAL ROUNDUP: BHUTTO CAMPAIGNING; MUSHARRAF
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004573
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PREL PK
SUBJECT: POLITICAL ROUNDUP: BHUTTO CAMPAIGNING; MUSHARRAF
CASE CONTINUES; U.S. GROUP ASSESSES ELECTION CLIMATE
REF: ISLAMABAD 4271
Classified By: DCM Peter Bodde for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 004573
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PREL PK
SUBJECT: POLITICAL ROUNDUP: BHUTTO CAMPAIGNING; MUSHARRAF
CASE CONTINUES; U.S. GROUP ASSESSES ELECTION CLIMATE
REF: ISLAMABAD 4271
Classified By: DCM Peter Bodde for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: Despite ongoing security concerns, Pakistan
People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto announced October 25
that she would travel to Larkhana on October 27 where tens of
thousands are expected to welcome her. Pakistan's Supreme
Court continues to hear the case against Musharraf's
re-election. Meanwhile, the U.S.'s National Democratic
Institute (NDI),led by former Senator Tom Daschle, conducted
a pre-election assessment and noted complaints by opposition
parties, media and civil society. The NDI group publicly
chided the GOP and urged greater "transparency." End summary.
Another Homecoming for Bhutto
--------------
2. (C) People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto announced
October 25 that she would return to her family's ancestral
village of Larkhana on Saturday (October 27). Tens of
thousands of party supporters are expected to greet her and
line the highway from the airport to this village in the
heart of Sindh. The GOP will provide security, but Bhutto
clearly does not fully trust this protection. We hear about
500 PPP staff/volunteers will supplement her security circle.
Musharraf Case Part II
--------------
3. (U) An 11-justice panel of Pakistan's Supreme Court began
hearing arguments October 18 against President Musharraf's
October 6 re-election. Two opposition presidential
candidates -- the legal fraternities' Supreme Court Justice
(retired) Wajihuddin Ahmed and People's Party (PPP) President
Makhdoom Amin Faheem -- have brought the principal petitions
arguing that Musharraf should have been disqualified from
running because he still serves as Chief of Army Staff
(reftel).
4. (C) The Court rejected similar arguments September 28.
Even on this specific case, the Court has already ruled
against petitioners' motions -- to stay the presidential
election (October 5) and for a full 17-member bench hearing
(October 17). Pro-government Justice Javed Iqbal has been
left to preside over a smaller panel, which court watchers
characterize as having four solid Musharraf backers, but also
four likely Musharraf dissenters. A pro-Musharraf majority,
however slim, is widely predicted. The case is expected to
last for about another week.
U.S. Group Urges Transparency
--------------
5. (U) Meanwhile, in preparation for the general elections
anticipated early January 2008, the National Democratic
Institute (NDI) concluded October 21 its pre-election
assessment mission led by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Tom Daschle. After five days of meetings with the GOP,
political parties, media and civil society, the U.S. group
voiced its concerns in a public statement.
6. (U) The NDI delegation put forward 21 recommendations for
action by Pakistan's Election Commission (ECP),the police,
and the GOP more generally, as well as by the political
parties. The recommendations touch upon issues of election
integrity, governance, electoral rights, and election
coordination and observation. NDI's public statement said
that the GOP must take "urgent steps" to contain political
violence, produce an accurate voters' list, curtail security
agencies' interference in the electoral process, involve all
party leaders, and protect the rights of women voters.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2017
TAGS: PGOV KJUS PREL PK
SUBJECT: POLITICAL ROUNDUP: BHUTTO CAMPAIGNING; MUSHARRAF
CASE CONTINUES; U.S. GROUP ASSESSES ELECTION CLIMATE
REF: ISLAMABAD 4271
Classified By: DCM Peter Bodde for Reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: Despite ongoing security concerns, Pakistan
People's Party leader Benazir Bhutto announced October 25
that she would travel to Larkhana on October 27 where tens of
thousands are expected to welcome her. Pakistan's Supreme
Court continues to hear the case against Musharraf's
re-election. Meanwhile, the U.S.'s National Democratic
Institute (NDI),led by former Senator Tom Daschle, conducted
a pre-election assessment and noted complaints by opposition
parties, media and civil society. The NDI group publicly
chided the GOP and urged greater "transparency." End summary.
Another Homecoming for Bhutto
--------------
2. (C) People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto announced
October 25 that she would return to her family's ancestral
village of Larkhana on Saturday (October 27). Tens of
thousands of party supporters are expected to greet her and
line the highway from the airport to this village in the
heart of Sindh. The GOP will provide security, but Bhutto
clearly does not fully trust this protection. We hear about
500 PPP staff/volunteers will supplement her security circle.
Musharraf Case Part II
--------------
3. (U) An 11-justice panel of Pakistan's Supreme Court began
hearing arguments October 18 against President Musharraf's
October 6 re-election. Two opposition presidential
candidates -- the legal fraternities' Supreme Court Justice
(retired) Wajihuddin Ahmed and People's Party (PPP) President
Makhdoom Amin Faheem -- have brought the principal petitions
arguing that Musharraf should have been disqualified from
running because he still serves as Chief of Army Staff
(reftel).
4. (C) The Court rejected similar arguments September 28.
Even on this specific case, the Court has already ruled
against petitioners' motions -- to stay the presidential
election (October 5) and for a full 17-member bench hearing
(October 17). Pro-government Justice Javed Iqbal has been
left to preside over a smaller panel, which court watchers
characterize as having four solid Musharraf backers, but also
four likely Musharraf dissenters. A pro-Musharraf majority,
however slim, is widely predicted. The case is expected to
last for about another week.
U.S. Group Urges Transparency
--------------
5. (U) Meanwhile, in preparation for the general elections
anticipated early January 2008, the National Democratic
Institute (NDI) concluded October 21 its pre-election
assessment mission led by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader
Tom Daschle. After five days of meetings with the GOP,
political parties, media and civil society, the U.S. group
voiced its concerns in a public statement.
6. (U) The NDI delegation put forward 21 recommendations for
action by Pakistan's Election Commission (ECP),the police,
and the GOP more generally, as well as by the political
parties. The recommendations touch upon issues of election
integrity, governance, electoral rights, and election
coordination and observation. NDI's public statement said
that the GOP must take "urgent steps" to contain political
violence, produce an accurate voters' list, curtail security
agencies' interference in the electoral process, involve all
party leaders, and protect the rights of women voters.
PATTERSON