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CE defends verdict against Nawaz

PARIS: General Pervez Musharraf said on Monday the life sentence handed down last week to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was "extremely fair" and brushed off Western criticism of the verdict.

"The trial could not have been fairer than what has taken place," Musharraf told reporters after meeting French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine during a brief stop-over here.

"Some very few elements in Europe have been most unfair (about the trial)," Pakistan's Chief Executive said, adding that Nawaz still faced a raft of other charges.

"There are dozens of corruption cases pending in accountability courts against the ex-prime minister," he said.

NO TIMETABLE FOR RETURN TO DEMOCRACY

Vedrine said he had stressed the need for a "swift return to democratic order" in Pakistan.

Musharraf, making his first appearance in Europe since seizing power, confirmed that he wanted to restore democracy, but said he could give no timetable.

"There are certain issues which have to be tackled," he said, citing the need to make the election commission fully autonomous and re-draw political constituencies.

The Pakistani leader said he talked at length to Vedrine about Kashmir and reiterated his willingness to start unconditional talks with India over the disputed region.

"I am prepared to start dialogue at any time, anywhere in the world. There are no preconditions whatsoever as far as I am concerned, so long as we talk about Kashmir," Musharraf said.

Musharraf said that Indian leaders had an "allergy" to the idea of a mediated settlement.

"Whether you call it mediation, facilitation or bilateral dialogue...the main issue is we need to address the core issue of Kashmir and initiate a process of dialogue," he said.

PLANS TRIP TO AFGHANISTAN

Musharraf said he also wanted to talk about problems of "extremism", "human rights violations" and "terrorist acts" with Taliban leaders. "I personally want to get involved. I intend going to Afghanistan to take up these issues with the Taleban leadership," he said adding that he would go as soon as possible.

"We need to address the issue of any terrorists who might be operating from Afghanistan," he said. However, he seemed to hold out little hope of getting the Taliban to expel Osama bin Laden.

"Bin Laden has become such a contentious issue, such a sensitive, emotional and sentimental issue that it is not very easy to resolve," he said.-Reuters