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All eyes on Musharrafs China visit
Nirupama Subramanian
It comes at a sensitive time for both Beijing and Pakistan President
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf is beginning a six-day visit to China on April 10 that will include a significant stopover in Urumqi, capital of the restive, Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, which borders Pakistan. The visit is being watched closely at home for more than the bilateral ties between the all weather allies.
The visit, though planned well in advance, comes at a sensitive time both for China and the Pakistan President.
This is the first time President Musharraf will make an official trip abroad, after a ruling coalition of parties opposed to him, including one openly hostile, has taken over the reins of government.
Coalition differences
The differences between the coalition partners in their approach to working with the retired General Musharraf are already showing up in the run-up to his visit. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureishi and Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, both of the Pakistan Peoples Party, are part of the Presidents delegation.
Mr. Mukhtar recently said in a television interview that Gen. Musharraf was a saleable commodity who could be used to attract foreign investments.
But Finance Minister Ishaq Dar of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has declined to go, citing important meetings here. The party holds Gen. Musharraf an unconstitutional President. Gen. Musharrafs primary agenda is to address the Boao Forum, an engagement fixed months ago. The conference was set up by China in 2002 as an Asia-specific parallel to the Davos World Economic Forum.
Tariq Fatemi, a former diplomat and adviser to the PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, told The Hindu that Gen. Musharraf appeared to be going ahead with the visit for two reasons: one, to send out the message at home that he is politically comfortable enough to undertake a trip at a sensitive time for him; and two, not to send out adverse signals to the Chinese about his delicate political situation.
It reveals the confidence that has come back in him with the coalition moving away from its ideals and the PPP leadership thinking that it is better to arrive at a modus vivendi with him, Mr Fatemi said.
But, he added, the absence of the Finance Minister from the delegation would further confirm to the Chinese that the political situation in Pakistan remained uncertain.
Internationally, the visit is being watched for the interesting inclusion in President Musharrafs itinerary of Urumqi, where it is expected that he will make a public reiteration of Pakistans support and friendship to Beijing. He may also appeal to the people of the province not to support the Uighyur insurgency just as he did in 2005, asking Xinjiang Muslims to cooperate with China for peace and progress and not get involved with those spreading terrorism and extremism.
Anti-China protests
Anti-China protests were reported from parts of the province last month, about the same time as the unrest in Tibet, and months ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Uighyur separatists are also believed to have been behind a foiled attempt to blow up an Urumqi-Beijing flight in the first week of March. Unconfirmed media reports said those arrested for the bombing attempt were carrying Pakistani passports. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said there was no information that those involved in the hijack attempt were Pakistani nationals.
Olympic torch
The Olympic torch is set to arrive in Islamabad on April 16, a day after Gen. Musharraf ends his China visit. The national consensus in Pakistan on the importance of its time-tested friendship with China would ensure that the torch transited safely through Pakistan, said Akram Zaki, former Ambassador to Beijing.
Gen. Musharraf will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other state leaders.
Frigate project
Ahead of the visit, China launched PNS Zulfiqar, first of its F-22 frigate project with the Pakistan Navy at its Hudong shipyard.
In a statement on Monday, President Musharraf said the project was another landmark achievement testifying to close Pakistan-China friendship and multifaceted cooperation.
Nirupama Subramanian
It comes at a sensitive time for both Beijing and Pakistan President
ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf is beginning a six-day visit to China on April 10 that will include a significant stopover in Urumqi, capital of the restive, Muslim-majority Xinjiang province, which borders Pakistan. The visit is being watched closely at home for more than the bilateral ties between the all weather allies.
The visit, though planned well in advance, comes at a sensitive time both for China and the Pakistan President.
This is the first time President Musharraf will make an official trip abroad, after a ruling coalition of parties opposed to him, including one openly hostile, has taken over the reins of government.
Coalition differences
The differences between the coalition partners in their approach to working with the retired General Musharraf are already showing up in the run-up to his visit. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureishi and Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar, both of the Pakistan Peoples Party, are part of the Presidents delegation.
Mr. Mukhtar recently said in a television interview that Gen. Musharraf was a saleable commodity who could be used to attract foreign investments.
But Finance Minister Ishaq Dar of the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has declined to go, citing important meetings here. The party holds Gen. Musharraf an unconstitutional President. Gen. Musharrafs primary agenda is to address the Boao Forum, an engagement fixed months ago. The conference was set up by China in 2002 as an Asia-specific parallel to the Davos World Economic Forum.
Tariq Fatemi, a former diplomat and adviser to the PML(N) leader Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs, told The Hindu that Gen. Musharraf appeared to be going ahead with the visit for two reasons: one, to send out the message at home that he is politically comfortable enough to undertake a trip at a sensitive time for him; and two, not to send out adverse signals to the Chinese about his delicate political situation.
It reveals the confidence that has come back in him with the coalition moving away from its ideals and the PPP leadership thinking that it is better to arrive at a modus vivendi with him, Mr Fatemi said.
But, he added, the absence of the Finance Minister from the delegation would further confirm to the Chinese that the political situation in Pakistan remained uncertain.
Internationally, the visit is being watched for the interesting inclusion in President Musharrafs itinerary of Urumqi, where it is expected that he will make a public reiteration of Pakistans support and friendship to Beijing. He may also appeal to the people of the province not to support the Uighyur insurgency just as he did in 2005, asking Xinjiang Muslims to cooperate with China for peace and progress and not get involved with those spreading terrorism and extremism.
Anti-China protests
Anti-China protests were reported from parts of the province last month, about the same time as the unrest in Tibet, and months ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Uighyur separatists are also believed to have been behind a foiled attempt to blow up an Urumqi-Beijing flight in the first week of March. Unconfirmed media reports said those arrested for the bombing attempt were carrying Pakistani passports. The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman said there was no information that those involved in the hijack attempt were Pakistani nationals.
Olympic torch
The Olympic torch is set to arrive in Islamabad on April 16, a day after Gen. Musharraf ends his China visit. The national consensus in Pakistan on the importance of its time-tested friendship with China would ensure that the torch transited safely through Pakistan, said Akram Zaki, former Ambassador to Beijing.
Gen. Musharraf will meet Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and other state leaders.
Frigate project
Ahead of the visit, China launched PNS Zulfiqar, first of its F-22 frigate project with the Pakistan Navy at its Hudong shipyard.
In a statement on Monday, President Musharraf said the project was another landmark achievement testifying to close Pakistan-China friendship and multifaceted cooperation.
