Daily Times : Musharraf cites Lincoln to justify emergency

Musharraf cites Lincoln to justify emergency

Sunday, November 4, 2007

LAHORE: President General Pervez Musharraf cited an extract from a letter by 19th century US president Abraham Lincoln to justify extra-constitutional measures, during his address on Saturday.

Gen Musharraf quoted Lincoln as writing that though he had pledged to uphold the Constitution, he had to first preserve the nation, for without the nation the Constitution was not much use. Speaking in English and saying he had a message for Pakistan’s “friends in the United States, European Union and Commonwealth, he said: “Kindly understand the criticality of the situation in Pakistan ... Inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan and I cannot allow this country to commit suicide.”