International reaction to the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency

This entry lists international reaction to the 2007 Pakistani state of emergency.

Asia

*flag|Afghanistan - Foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said, "Security and stability in Pakistan directly affect the situation in Afghanistan and vice versa...We are following the situation in Pakistan with concern and very seriously. We want stability and peace in our neighbouring country."cite news| url = http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FA95801F-E938-4CBC-9FF5-41610538A2B8.htm| title =Reactions to Pakistan emergency |publisher= Aljazeera |date=2007-11-04| accessdate=2007-11-04]

*flag|Bangladesh - Bangladesh Interim Foreign Minister Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, "As a friendly country, Bangladesh is observing the developments in Pakistan very closely. We view those events as their internal matter" "However, we hope that (it does) not lead to any kind of instability" [cite news
url = http://www.dailyindia.com/show/188474.php/Pak-emergency:-Bangladesh-terms-it-internal-matter-Afghanistan-for-quick-normalisation| title = Pak emergency: Bangladesh terms it 'internal matter', Afghanistan for quick 'normalisation']

*flag|People's Republic of China - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has issued the following statement: "We are concerned about the situation in Pakistan, and believe the Pakistani government and people are capable of solving their problems" [cite news
url = http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/6296194.html
title = China concerned about Pakistan's state of emergency]

*flag|Hong Kong - The Security Bureau reminded Hong Kong residents travelling to Pakistan to pay attention to personal safety and keep themselves up-to-date on developments there. A spokesman for the bureau said the Hong Kong Government would continue to closely monitor the situation. [ [http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200711/04/P200711040194.htm "Government advice to Hong Kong residents in Pakistan] "]

*flag|India - India's response to the crisis in Pakistan has been cautious and expressed hope that the peace talks between the two countries would not be disrupted because of the political turmoil there. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSDEL231476 Cautious India hopes Pakistan crisis won't rock ties | Reuters ] ] There were also reports that India was persuading Musharraf to take a stronger stand against Islamic militants, particularly those operating in Kashmir. [ [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India_OK_with_Gen_if_he_can_check_jihadis/articleshow/2526816.cms India OK with Gen if he can check jihadis-India-The Times of India ] ] The Indian Government, through the External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna, has released the following statement: "We regret the difficult times that Pakistan is passing through...We trust that conditions of normalcy will soon return permitting Pakistan's transition to stability and democracy to continue" [cite news
url = http://www.ibnlive.com/news/india-regrets-difficult-times-in-pak-pranab-meets-pm/51686-2.html
title = Based on PTI Reports] Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee met Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and briefed him about the situation.Fact|date=December 2007 There were concerns that certain "Jihadi elements" might sneak into neighboring India to escape the crackdown in Pakistan. India responded to these concerns by increasing vigilance at the International Border and line of control. [ [http://thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=7997&fb_id=2&catid=14 Main News ] ]

Europe

*flag|France - The French Foreign Ministry asked Musharraf to begin a political dialogue and maintain the rule of law.

*flag|Germany - German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development spokesman Markus Weidling said that "development cooperation projects — for example energy projects — must be thought over in the light of future developments in close consultation with other international partners." Weidling also declared that "the advancement of civil society, particularly women and children, will be supported in future as well, without limitation."cite web | title= Dutch government freezes aid to Pakistan in response to Musharraf's emergency declaration | publisher=The Associated Press | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/05/europe/EU-GEN-Netherlands-Pakistan.php |date=2007-11-05| accessdate=2007-11-05 ]

*flag|Netherlands - Bert Koenders, Minister of Development Cooperation, announced that the Netherlands would freeze development aid to Pakistan. Koenders said Musharraf's move was a "dramatic power grab that's bad for democracy, the people and the development of Pakistan".

*flag|Norway - Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has in a press release expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan. The fact that the state of emergency directly infringes on the independence of the judiciary and the media is particularly regrettable, according to the minister. He states that Norway, in cooperation with other countries will work towards making it possible for Pakistan to hold Parliamentary elections as planned. Pakistan is facing big challenges both within its own borders and in a region marked by instability. This makes it all the more important than Pakistan achieves legitimate and stable governance, says Støre. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |author= Johannessen, Randi|coauthors= |title= Arresterer politikere og aktivister ("Arresting politicians and activists") |url= http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/article2083429.ece |format= |work= Aftenposten |publisher= |id= |pages= |page= |date= November 4, 2007 |accessdate=2007-11-04 |language= Norwegian ]

*flag|Sweden - Foreign minister Carl Bildt said that it is important to view the "threats" in Pakistan seriously, but added that: "It is the building of rule of law and open democracy that is, in the long term, the only safe weapon against fundamentalism and terrorism." [ [http://carlbildt.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/musharrafs-farliga-vag/ Musharrafs farliga väg] Carl Bildt's weblog, November 5, 2007]

*flag|United Kingdom - David Miliband, Foreign Secretary, expressed concern over the situation and said it was vital that Pakistan "abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule".cite web | title= Musharraf court ruling 'delayed' | publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7072899.stm |date=2007-11-01| accessdate=2007-11-03 ] The United Kingdom had advance knowledge of the declaration of a state of emergency. A Musharraf aide said: "There was pressure from the US and Britain in the beginning. But later on, when the government gave them the detail that elections will be held on time, and the president will take off his uniform, they did not have any objections". A Foreign Office official insisted "no consent was implied or given". [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2205389,00.html Musharraf warned: hold elections and quit as army chief | World news | The Guardian ] ]

North America

*flag|Canada - Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said "These measures undermine democratic development, judicial independence and the possibility of free and fair elections to which the people of Pakistan are entitled." cite web | title= Ottawa condemns Musharraf's military rule| publisher=Sympatico MSN | url=http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&showbyline=True&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20071103%2fpakistan_emergency_071103|date=2007-11-03| accessdate=2007-11-03 ]

*flag|United States - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said just before the imposition of a state of emergency that "the United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means... Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections."cite web | title= Musharraf invokes emergency rule | publisher=Reuters | url=http://ca.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-11-03T141443Z_01_COL199283_RTRIDST_0_NEWS-PAKISTAN-EMERGENCY-COL.XML |date=2007-11-03| accessdate=2007-11-03 ] After the declaration she said that she was "deeply disturbed." Rice also said to media that "It is in the best interests of Pakistan and the Pakistani people for there to be a prompt return to the constitutional course, for there to be an affirmation that elections will be held for a new parliament and for all parties to act with restraint in what is obviously a very difficult situation." White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe called the action "very disappointing" and added that Musharraf "needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office."cite web | title= U.S. disappointed as Musharraf sets emergency rule | publisher=Reuters | url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-30315520071103 |date=2007-11-03| accessdate=2007-11-03 ] [cite web | title= Musharraf tries to stifle outcry over emergency rulee | publisher=Reuters | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSCOL19928320071104?pageNumber=4 |date=2007-11-04| accessdate=2007-11-04 ] The day before the declaration of emergency Admiral William J. Fallon chief of United States (CENTCOM) was in Pakistan where he met with Musharraf to discuss issues of mutual interest. [ [http://story.malaysiasun.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/303b19022816233b/id/296593/cs/1/ Musharraf, US CENTCOM chief Fallon discuss war on terror ] ] The United States has no plans to suspend military aid to Pakistan in response to a declaration of emergency by President Pervez Musharraf, [cite web | title= No US plans to suspend military aid to Pakistan: Pentagon | publisher=AFP | url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/309517/1/.html |date=2007-11-04| accessdate=2007-11-04 ] although Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the US would review all assistance programs.cite web | title= Pakistani police smash emergency rule protests | publisher=AFP | url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jcEyZdGkmGhnNm_RBNGErYl92Y-Q |date=2007-11-05| accessdate=2007-11-05 ] Officials say that the United States is unlikely to impose significant sanctions. [ [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-uspak4nov04,0,3221851.story Topic Galleries - chicagotribune.com ] ] On November 5 the US announced that because of the current political situation it was suspending annual defense talks with Pakistan.The Deputy Secretary of State for the U.S. called "Musharraf" as an indispensable ally of the United States against the War on Terror. On November 8 US President George W. Bush spoke with Pervez Musharraf for twenty minutes on the telephone, in what Bush called a "very frank discussion." Bush said that he told Musharraf that elections need to be held soon and that Musharraf must step down as head of the military. [cite web | title= Bush urges Musharraf on election | publisher=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7084305.stm |date=2007-11-08| accessdate=2007-11-08 ]

On 16 November 2007 US special envoy John Negroponte, having met with Pervez Musharraf and Ashfaq Kayani (Vice Chief of Army Staff) praised the general for prosperity in Pakistan and his action against extremism. He also said that he has urged that the State of Emergency be lifted and opponents released prior to the election. [cite web | title= US policy in the balance in Pakistan | publisher=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7100938.stm |date=2007-11-18| accessdate=2007-11-21 ]

Oceania

* - Prime Minister John Howard telephoned General Musharraf and called for restraint and a return to democracy. Howard later said "whilst I retain considerable respect and admiration for the strong stance he has taken against terrorism, that Australia could not support in any way any extra-constitutional behaviour, that the rule of law had to prevail. And that I hoped there would be an early return to a more democratic past." [cite news|title=PM calls for restraint in Pakistan| date= 2007-05-11|publisher=Australian Associated Press|url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22704774-29277,00.html]

International organizations

*flag|Commonwealth - Secretary-General Don McKinnon described the situation as "a matter of deep concern" and said "It is a step in the wrong direction".cite web | title= World leaders condemn state of emergency in Pakistan | publisher=The Associated Press | url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/03/asia/AS-GEN-Pakistan-World-View.php |date=2007-11-03| accessdate=2007-11-03 ] On November 12, the Commonwealth asked Pakistan to end emergency by November 22 or face suspension from the body. [cite web | title= Pakistan Faces Suspension Threat | publisher=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7091693.stm |date=2007-11-12| accessdate=2007-11-12 ] On November 22, Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth for its failure to fulfill this condition. The CMAG said that even though it was earlier it was indicated that President Musharraf will step down as army chief and several detained protesters were freed in last ten days, the situation in Pakistan was still in violation of the Commonwealth's fundamental values. [cite web | title=Pakistan barred from Commonwealth | publisher=BBC | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7108543.stm |date=2007-11-22| accessdate=2007-11-23 ]

*flag|United Nations - Louise Arbour, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed some concern over the situation, noting that a UN official, Asma Jahangir, was among the judicial and political officials detained. The commissioner also noted that UN prohibitions on actions such as torture and arbitrary detention remain in effect during times of national emergency, and that such actions must be related to and proportional with the emergency itself. cite web | title= UN's top rights official voices alarm at imposition of state of emergency | publisher=United Nations | url=http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=24527&Cr=Pakistan&Cr1= | date=2007-11-05 | accessdate=2007-11-05 ]

Notes