Noting that Pakistan is in a “major crisis” following imposition of Emergency, senior US senators have called for international pressure on President Pervez Musharraf, and said he should not be allowed a “free pass” this time around.

“The US should take the lead with other world powers in putting maximum pressure on Musharraf to return to democracy. I think it’s not enough that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks out. The President has to speak out, and in more specific terms. We have bolstered Musharraf with billions of dollars in recent years, and military support, and we ought to be specific that it’s not going to continue,” Republican Senator Arlen Specter said on CNN’s Late Edition.

“I’m not about to suggest military intervention. But I’m not in favor of giving him a free pass, either. I don’t think we can continue to support the Musharraf Government, which ousts the Supreme Court, seizes dictatorial control and leads them in a path that is even more destructive and more against the US and world interests,” he argued.

Senator Diane Feinstein, senior Democrat sitting on the Intelligence Panel, also argued in the same lines.

“There’s no question this is a major crisis. And the fear is that the country disassembles, and therefore, its military power, namely its nuclear power, becomes a huge, huge risk,” she added.

“I think you could put a moratorium on military aid at this time. He (Musharraf) ought to call for resumption of the Supreme Court. He ought to call for the elections next year,” Senator Feinstein said.

... contd.