Post by Kizzume on Nov 22, 2007 16:50:33 GMT -5
canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5h3B02e8fXovHPm1XfpuOHeVubhMg
Pakistan has been suspended from the Commonwealth in response to the anti-democratic crackdowns imposed under emergency rule.
A group of foreign ministers from the 53-member Commonwealth has decided to remove Pakistan until it meets democratic standards.
The group's secretary general, Donald McKinnon, made the announcement at a news conference.
Pakistan, the world's most unstable nuclear power, pleaded for more time today and argued that it was making progress toward restoring democracy.
But as she entered a Commonwealth meeting earlier today, Canadian Junior Foreign Minister Helena Guergis said Pakistan's time had run out.
The Commonwealth largely made up of Britain and its former colonies, had already given Pakistan's military ruler, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a Thursday deadline to lift emergency rule and step down as army chief.
"We adhere to and we support the principles of democracy," Guergis said.
"Right now, we have to uphold that. We have to stand behind that, and support that. Right now Pakistan is not doing that."
A group of foreign ministers from the 53-member Commonwealth has decided to remove Pakistan until it meets democratic standards.
The group's secretary general, Donald McKinnon, made the announcement at a news conference.
Pakistan, the world's most unstable nuclear power, pleaded for more time today and argued that it was making progress toward restoring democracy.
But as she entered a Commonwealth meeting earlier today, Canadian Junior Foreign Minister Helena Guergis said Pakistan's time had run out.
The Commonwealth largely made up of Britain and its former colonies, had already given Pakistan's military ruler, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, a Thursday deadline to lift emergency rule and step down as army chief.
"We adhere to and we support the principles of democracy," Guergis said.
"Right now, we have to uphold that. We have to stand behind that, and support that. Right now Pakistan is not doing that."
I was wondering when or if action was going to take place--even symbolic action, and finally there has been. If he doesn't shape up, I wonder how militant the country could become?
