South Asia News
Pakistan's ruling coalition falls apart
Aug 25, 2008, 14:57 GMT
Portraits of slain former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (R) and her widower and co-chairman of PPP Asif Ali Zardari (L). Pakistan\'s feeble governing alliance collapsed Monday when the second-largest party pulled out due to irreconcilable differences over the reinstatement of judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf. EPA/REHAN KHAN
Islamabad - Pakistan's feeble governing alliance collapsed Monday when the second-largest party pulled out due to irreconcilable differences over the reinstatement of judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf.
'With utter disappointment, with no signs of hope, I have to say with great sorrow that Pakistan Muslim league-Nawaz (PML-N) is pulling out of the coalition,' party chief and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif told reporters in Islamabad.
The PML-N will field its own presidential candidate, the former chief justice Saeeduz Zaman Siddiqui, to run against Asif Ali Zardari, the head of leading Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
However, the break-up of the alliance was unlikely to topple the PPP-led government, at least for the moment, which has the required simple majority in the lower house of the National Assembly, with some smaller parties and independent candidates.
But later on when the two parties engage in their traditional power struggle, PML-N might join hands with Musharraf's former political ally, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid, which comprises mainly those who defected from Sharif's party back in early 2000s.
The fragile alliance was formed after the PPP of slain former premier Benazir Bhutto and Sharif's PML-N trounced the political allies of Musharraf in the February 18 general elections.
Opposition to Musharraf was the only binding force which kept the coalition intact, until the former military strongman resigned earlier this month under threat of impeachment on treasonable charges.
Sharif's insistence on immediate restoration of more than 60 judges, including deposed Supreme Court chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, broke the five-month political marriage, as Zardari was reluctant to restore Chaudhry to his post.
Zardari is the widower of Bhutto, who was assassinated December 27 as she campaigned for a third term as premier.
The two parties had earlier signed an agreement to reinstate the judges within 24 hours of the resignation or impeachment of Musharraf, Sharif claimed in producing a document to the reporters that he said was signed by both Zardari and himself.
'When a verbal promise and a written pledge is not honoured, bilateral trust is lost,' Sharif said.
The disagreement grew to crisis proportions on Saturday when the PPP announced Zardari as its candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for September 6.
Both leaders earlier agreed that the PML-N would back a PPP presidential candidate after the judges were reinstated, and the constitution was amended to strip the president of his powers to dissolve the bicameral parliament.
Sharif said that because the presidential powers were not purged, there should have been a non-partisan candidate like Siddiqui.
'PML-N is the only party that adopted a clear and definite approach on the judiciary in the country's 61-year-old history and stuck to its stance,' said Siddiqui, in announcing he acceptance of the offer to stand for president.
The coalition's demise left the country of 165 million people in a lurch amid a serious political and economic impasse, which is increasingly hampering the efforts to fight a growing insurgency.
Lawmakers in the North West Frontier Province, where the PPP supports the ruling Awami National Party, adopted a resolution favouring the candidacy of Zardari for the presidency. The PML-N members abstained from voting.
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patriotAug 26th, 2008 - 13:07:32
The American Republic returns on September 11, 2008,
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
A Letter to The United States Congress and to The American People
Americans have lost their way by choice and coercion propagated by those that wish to have it all. Americans that have plenty are not bothered by the confusion and rape of the land and its people. The Americans that outnumber the wealthy are the ones that suffer in America. The idea of a Republic of America was an original perfect form of government. The ones that made the choice to write on paper their ideas for a perfect form of government were themselves imperfect. The document called the Constitution is a promise on paper and in spirit to Americans to protect and to serve Americans, our Nation with truth. That has not happened, thus the discord and confusion within our nation to Americans.
Our Nation, our Homeland has been sold, raped, and ravaged by many outsiders and insider traitors, which have allowed our eagle our National symbol to be locked in a cage with little sustenance. Our Star our symbol of truth has been buried in the sand with the trash of other nations.
This is not acceptable, and will be resolved.
Our current Congress has forsaken our nation by giving little and taking so much for themselves and their financial supporters. Congress has allowed Capitalist Businesses from within and out to take over our Nation and rule by the power of selfish money and lies.
Our Great and once powerful Military are ruled by those that give false and deceptive orders coupled by untruthful commands. They, the soldiers of our fortunes are engaged in ambiguous battle campaigns fighting under and for False Flag counter intelligence fueled by deceptive propaganda rhetoric. Human lives on all sides are dying for the few that have lost their way thru choice.
Our President, our leader of our Nation has with his advisors and financial empire brokers reinforced the ultimate crime to humanity by lying to himself, his family and his country. Our business leaders have lied to our Nation and prostituted our ingenuity to others for unnatural profit.
There are too many Americans that have some or little or none, and that Ladies and Gentlemen is not acceptable. Congress and others have failed to provide even the basics for our Nation to thrive. Too many selfish secrets, many which are known amongst a few, are tearing our Nation and Planet apart. By allowing those that know what lies behind the looking glass, to control the masses at will is an affront to GOD.
There is too much advertised hatred and racial prejudice fed by ignorance and choice. Religions have taken front seat to freedom and truth, thus confusing those that wish to know the truth, by self-choice.
On September 11, 2008, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, we Americans can and will make a choice to free our Eagle from its cage of captors, allowing it to be stronger and fly higher than ever before, and unearth and restore our Star to its rightful brilliance from the sand of trash of other Nations, and take back our country from those that have stolen it from us all. Annuit Copetis.
We have learned from the past, and we have learned from the present, now we will make a choice to either continue with America as is, or Change America to a True Republic that truly represents the sincere interests of its people and other Nations. It is not an impossible task to overcome; all it takes is an honest choice and the will to sacrifice.
We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.
We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, and we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.
We are a growing nation of people that encourage all Americans to become part of the New American Republic!
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America
A Sovereign Republic
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