Washington - US President George W Bush offered his strongest support yet of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying the general who imposed emergency rule earlier this month "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy."Speaking in an interview with ABC Television, Bush's support contrasted with his previous statements that warned Musharraf that his emergency measures "would undermine democracy."
He was asked in the interview if there is any line Musharraf should not cross. "He hasn't crossed the line. As a matter of fact, I don't think that he will cross any lines," Bush replied, according to an ABC transcript. "We didn't necessarily agree with his decision to impose emergency rule, and ... hopefully he'll get ... rid of the rule. Today, I thought, was a pretty good signal, that he released thousands of people from jail."
Bush was referring to the release of about 3,000 political prisoners, although 2,000 remain in custody.
But his comments were blasted by Democratic leaders. "What exactly would it take for the president to conclude Musharraf has crossed the line? Suspend the constitution? Impose emergency law? Beat and jail his political opponents and human rights activists?" Senator Joseph Biden, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a presidential candidate, told the Washington Post. "He's already done all that. If the president sees Musharraf as a democrat, he must be wearing the same glasses he had on when he looked in Vladimir Putin's soul."
