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US worried about turmoil in Pak

The United States, concerned about political ferment in Pakistan, has warned political and military actors there that it would ''strongly oppose'' any attempt to overthrow the government, US officials said today.

''We hope there will be no return to the days of interrupted democracy in Pakistan,'' one senior official said in an interview.

''We would strongly oppose any attempt to change the government through extra-constitutional means,'' the official added.

The Clinton administration, acting discreetly through diplomatic channels, has also reminded the Islamabad government that peaceful demonstrations and free speech should be permitted in a democratic system.

''It is a strong message for both sides. The government should allow legitimate expression and freedom of the press,'' the senior official added.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief has been under attack at home for his decision to withdraw Pakistani-backed militants from Kargil in Kashmir.

Sharief agreed to withdraw the Pakistani-backed forces during a meeting on July 4 with President Bill Clinton at the White House. The prime minister's critics have described this turnabout as a humiliation.

In addition, Pakistan's economy remains in dire straits and there is increasing unhappiness with some measures used to stifle political opposition, including detentions.

Opposition forces two weeks ago called a two-day strike to protest the government's heavy-handed response in arresting what witnesses said were more than 1,000 people ahead of an opposition-backed rally.

Although there is no sign of any imminent coup against Sharief, US officials say the Pakistani press and talk in elite circles is full of dissatisfaction with the prime minister.

''There is enough speculation out there, both publicly and in the corridors'' that the administration felt it necessary to issue its warnings, a US official said.

One of the more troubling commentaries came from Imran Khan, former Pakistani cricketer, who is now involved in politics.

He told The Washington Post last week that ''all the opposition in Pakistan has combined on a one-point agenda to get rid of him.''

''Our current prime minister has a fascist mind-set and members of Parliament cannot go against the ruling party. We think that every day he stays in power, the country is sinking into more anarchy. The economy has never been worse,'' Khan added.

US concerns about the stability of Pakistan's government are not just theoretical. No elected Pakistan leader has completed his full term. Sharief, who took office in February 1997, is about half-way through his term.

The prime minister had planned to travel to New York this week for the opening of the annual United Nations General Assembly. But he cancelled the trip, apparently because he can deal with political and economic problems at home, US officials said.

Sharief may also have wanted to skip the General Assembly this year because of pressure for not signing the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. He pledged at last year's UN session to do so by September '99 but has not done so and now seems to be balking.

The US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is due to meet Pakistani Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz on Friday on the fringes of the UN General assembly.

UNI

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