Cheney’s ‘close’ ally Musharraf declares martial law

Cheney’s ‘close’ ally Musharraf declares martial law.

Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf today declared “emergency rule,” resulting in the suspension of the nation’s constitution, dismissal of the Supreme Court’s chief justice, and severe restrictions on independent and international media. The New York Times reports:

The emergency act, which analysts and opposition leaders said was more a declaration of martial law, also boldly defied the Bush administration, which had repeatedly urged General Musharraf to avoid such a path and instead move toward democracy. Washington has generously backed the general, sending him more than $10 billion in aid since 2001, mostly for the military. Now the administration finds itself in the bind of having to publicly castigate the man it has described as one of its closest allies in fighting terrorism.

In June, the Washington Post reported that “Pakistan policy is essentially being run from Cheney’s office. The vice president…is close to Musharraf and refuses to brook any U.S. criticism of him.”

"Judicial activism" and the threat of terror attacks are Musharraf's excuses to suspend constitution and impose martial law

"Judicial activism" and the threat of terror attacks are Musharraf's excuses to suspend constitution and impose martial law

Sound familiar? Seems like Musharraf used Bush's talking points in the speech last night where he basically declared martial law. "Judicial activism" and the threat from terrorists required Musharraf to overrule the country's constitution. It's difficult for Bush to criticize that when he's done essentially the same thing. Granted, we're not quite at martial law here in the U.S.:

Just after midnight, General Musharraf appeared on state-run television. In a 45-minute speech, he said he had declared the emergency to limit terrorist attacks and “preserve the democratic transition that I initiated eight years back.”

He gave no firm date for nationwide elections that had been scheduled for January and said his current Parliament, which he dominates, would remain in place. He did not say how long the state of emergency would be maintained.

The general, dressed in civilian clothes, quoted Lincoln, citing the former president’s suspension of some rights during the American Civil War as justification for his own state of emergency.

He accused the country’s Supreme Court of releasing 61 men who he said were under investigation for terrorist activities. “Judicial activism,” he said, had demoralized the security forces, hurt the fight against terrorism and slowed the spread of democracy. “Obstacles are being created in the way of democratic process,” he said, “I think for vested, personal interests, against the interest of the country.”

That last part sounds way, way too familiar.