Musharraf to keep emergency rule

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf reportedly refused to lift his emergency rule, telling a senior U.S. envoy it is needed to hold peaceful elections.

In his meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, Musharraf refused to set a deadline for scrapping his Nov. 3 emergency decree, although Negroponte said the rule is not compatible with free elections.

Dawn reported Sunday Musharraf assured Negroponte no political party would be barred from contesting elections set to be held before Jan. 9.

The report said Musharraf told Negroponte former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is "too confrontationist" and ruled out any further talks with her on a power-sharing deal which the United States favors.

The International Herald Tribune, quoting a Western diplomat, said Negroponte delivered a strong message to Musharraf, whose defiance is not sitting well with the United States -- which has pumped more than $10 billion in aid to the general's government.

Another Western diplomat told the Herald Tribune Musharraf may not lift the emergency any time soon for fear of being seen to be buckling under U.S. pressure. However, Musharraf is becoming increasingly isolated as even some of his key supporters have started to call for ending the emergency.

Negroponte also met with Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, a pro-Western moderate who is Musharraf's designated successor, the Herald Tribune said.