 
FEB 12 - Self-exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who had
earlier refused to meet General Musharraf's representatives has
reportedly accepted a government offer to "negotiate a comeback"
after being asked to by an “American friend”.
Last month, the Voice Of America hosted her press conference which
was followed by a question answer session. Pakistan observers
attached great significance to the development specially in the
backdrop of US President's visit to Pakistan in March.
Voice of America (VOA) is a multimedia international
broadcasting service funded by the U.S. government.
"As far as I'm concerned, if any court wants me in Pakistan, I'm
prepared to catch the next plane and go to Pakistan, " Benazir told
the press conference.
Musharraf's representatives and Benazir Bhutto have started fresh
negotiations in Dubai for a possible reconciliation between her
Pakistan People’s Party and the government, reported Daily
Times - Lahore based influential daily newspaper, today, quoting
PPP sources.
“This time the government has adopted a more compromising posture
(in negotiations),” said the sources. “Ms Bhutto was scheduled to
arrive in Dubai from America on February 16 but she had to rush back
early after receiving a message that two emissaries of President
General Pervez Musharraf want to meet her in Dubai.”
Pakistan watchers think that President Musharraf and his team may be
attempting to put "all the ducks in a row" prior to Bush's visit to
Pakistan. Having delivered successes to the US, as its front-line
ally in its war against terrorism, Musharraf's team may have been
asked to seriously take steps to fill the expanding vacuum, said one
observer.
According to the newspaper, two high-ranking members of the military
establishment arrived on Dubai on Saturday and met Ms Bhutto on
Sunday. They discussed various matters related to national
reconciliation including cases against Ms Bhutto and her husband
Asif Zardari, the next general elections under an independent
election commission and a ‘national government’ before the
elections.
 “The Isle of Mann judgment that rejected the allegation that Surrey
Palace was bought through corruption money and increasing foreign
pressure on the government to cobble ties with the PPP have put the
government on the back foot against Ms Bhutto,” said government
sources.
Ms Bhutto had plans to meet another former prime minister, Nawaz
Sharif, in London during her brief stay in the UK on returning from
the USA, but she got a direct flight to Dubai instead. “If the talks
between the PPP and the government are fruitful, she will not meet
Mr Sharif in the near future. Otherwise, they will hold a meeting in
the UK next week,” said the PPP insiders. Ms Bhutto would leave for
UK this week and stay there for another week, they added.
According to one analyst, "this is the eye contact the two
(Musharraf and Benazir) have been wanting to make but "the
chemistry" was not there...Looks like some one both are beholden to, has
nudged them to talk, settle issues and move on." |
