Report: Rice persuades against emergency

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice reportedly had a role in convincing Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to put off imposition of emergency rule.

CNN, quoting high level Pakistani government sources, said Rice called Musharraf after various media reports that he was considering an emergency declaration -- which would suspend democratic liberties -- as an option for dealing with mounting violence and growing domestic problems.

U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack confirmed Rice’s call to Musharraf early Thursday, but gave no details, CNN said.

Although the United States regards Musharraf as a major ally in its war against terrorism, the Pakistani leader -- who is seeking re-election -- recently has come under intense criticism that he is not doing enough to put down the resurgent Taliban and al-Qaida along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

CNN said an emergency declaration would help Musharraf strengthen military rule in the current environment.

Speculation about such a move began after Musharraf canceled a visit to Kabul to attend Thursday’s joint Pakistan-Afghanistan tribal jirga, Pakistan’s English Daily Dawn had reported earlier.