Musharraf says he has no plans to step down in 2002, prefers to become `figurehead'

By RON KAMPEAS
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who seized power in Pakistan in 1999, said Sunday he has no plans to relinquish the presidency in elections next year. He plans instead to eventually become a neutral "figurehead" to his people.

Musharraf's remarks were the first time he explicitly counted out including the presidency in October 2002 national and provincial elections, the first since his bloodless coup.

"I myself will remain as the president, and that is for sure, beyond 2002," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

He said participating in elections would undermine his status as a unifying figure. "I would rather like to remain in my position as implementing something for the good of the country. I'll be a neutral figurehead."

Opposition parties fear that Musharraf will rewrite the nation's constitution before the elections to broaden the president's power.

Before Sept. 11, Musharraf had been under pressure from the West to democratize Pakistan. Since the terrorist attacks, the United States has come to rely on Pakistan in the war against suspected terrorists and their protectors in Afghanistan.

Also, the Bush administration has lifted sanctions imposed because of the coup. Over the weekend, Bush announced $1 billion in economic assistance to Pakistan, as well as debt relief.

Bush is also pleased that Musharraf has sidelined senior military officials who apparently were close to Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, who are allied with Osama bin Laden.

Addressing such concerns, Musharraf assured the United Nations on Saturday that his country's nuclear weapons "are well guarded and in safe hands."

Musharraf had also sought the release of 28 American F-16 fighters sold to Pakistan in the 1980s, when it was an ally against the Soviet Union. The planes were withheld by Congress because Pakistan developed nuclear weapons.

Administration officials said the F-16s would not be delivered anytime soon.

"There are no plans now to transfer those airplanes to Pakistan," Secretary of State Colin Powell said on NBC. "The United States over the last 10 years has compensated Pakistan for those planes."

Musharraf said releasing the planes might have helped abate anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

"This is one issue which is held very much against the United States," Musharraf said. "It will be received negatively."

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