Dawn : Musharraf defends record on fighting terror

Musharraf defends record on fighting terror

WASHINGTON, Nov 30 (AFP) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Friday Pakistan would not be responsible for any failure in the US “war on terror,” insisting his country has been struggling against radicalism and terror for 30 years.

“We are fighting terrorism everywhere,” he told ABC television. “We have gone through 30 years of turmoil. We cooperate very well. So if there's a failure, it's not Pakistan's failure. Please don't accuse us,” he said to an [sic]

Musharraf insisted his political moves had been in reaction to opposition tactics.

“The opposition, they have all along these five years tried to destabilize me and the government. You have to understand, we don't want agitation here... Agitation means breaking down everything, burning things. That cannot be allowed. So, therefore, if anyone is trying to do that, we will stop it. That is the way it is in Pakistan.”

Asked if he would enter a power-sharing arrangement with opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, he replied: “I'm not into any deal with anyone.”

”We are in a stage where we have to have free, fair, transparent elections. We have to see, after the election, how things develop.

“If the situation develops in a manner which is absolutely unacceptable to me, I have a choice of leaving.”