Pakistani PM Accuses 'Conspirators' of Undermining Government
Pakistan's prime minister says conspirators are attempting to undermine his government, as it faces mounting criticism over a secret a memo appealing for U.S. help to prevent a feared military coup.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made his comments Thursday as Pakistan's Supreme Court met to decide whether to formally investigate the incident.
The memo was allegedly sent in May by a member of President Asif Ali Zardari's office. It requested U.S. military assistance to thwart a a suspected coup by the country's powerful military and intelligence services following a covert U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil.
Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari have faced increasing pressure to resign over the memo scandal. But Gilani said Thursday that the "conspiracies" were being plotted to "pack up the elected government," though he did not mention who he thought was responsible. Gilani said that he will "continue to fight for the rights of the Pakistani people," whether or not his civilian government remains in power.
The scandal has created heightened tension between Pakistan's government and its military leaders, who have said the issue is endangering national security. But Gilani criticized the military, questioning why Osama bin Laden was allowed to hide in the country without knowledge of Pakistani authorities.
Bin Laden was killed in a secret U.S. raid in the Pakistani garrison city of Abbottabad on May 2. He had reportedly been living there for several years, just meters from a high-level Pakistani military base. The attack outraged Pakistan's army, which says it was not consulted before the attack was carried out.
Earlier this week, Gilani dismissed rumors of a rift between the government and the military, saying Pakistan's government and its institutions "remain committed to their constitutional roles and obligations" to a democratic and prosperous future for Pakistan.
The existence of the document came to light in October when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz wrote a column in The Financial Times accusing Ambassador Hussain Haqqani of writing the memo and requesting that it be delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen, the top U.S. military official at the time. Haqqani has since been forced to resign.
fuente. La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Pakistani-Prime-Minister-Accuses-Conspirators-of-Undermining-Government-136058563.html
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani made his comments Thursday as Pakistan's Supreme Court met to decide whether to formally investigate the incident.
The memo was allegedly sent in May by a member of President Asif Ali Zardari's office. It requested U.S. military assistance to thwart a a suspected coup by the country's powerful military and intelligence services following a covert U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden on Pakistani soil.
Prime Minister Gilani and President Zardari have faced increasing pressure to resign over the memo scandal. But Gilani said Thursday that the "conspiracies" were being plotted to "pack up the elected government," though he did not mention who he thought was responsible. Gilani said that he will "continue to fight for the rights of the Pakistani people," whether or not his civilian government remains in power.
The scandal has created heightened tension between Pakistan's government and its military leaders, who have said the issue is endangering national security. But Gilani criticized the military, questioning why Osama bin Laden was allowed to hide in the country without knowledge of Pakistani authorities.
Bin Laden was killed in a secret U.S. raid in the Pakistani garrison city of Abbottabad on May 2. He had reportedly been living there for several years, just meters from a high-level Pakistani military base. The attack outraged Pakistan's army, which says it was not consulted before the attack was carried out.
Earlier this week, Gilani dismissed rumors of a rift between the government and the military, saying Pakistan's government and its institutions "remain committed to their constitutional roles and obligations" to a democratic and prosperous future for Pakistan.
The existence of the document came to light in October when Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz wrote a column in The Financial Times accusing Ambassador Hussain Haqqani of writing the memo and requesting that it be delivered to Admiral Mike Mullen, the top U.S. military official at the time. Haqqani has since been forced to resign.
fuente. La Voz de América, http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/Pakistani-Prime-Minister-Accuses-Conspirators-of-Undermining-Government-136058563.html
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