Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 15, 2008

Musharraf Spokesman Denies Reports Pakistani President Will Resign
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But published reports say negotiations under way to allow for president
to step down 
Pervez Musharraf addresses during a ceremony to mark country's
Independence Day, 14 Aug 2008A spokesman for Pakistan's embattled
President Pervez Musharraf has denied Western media reports that the
president will resign rather than face impeachment. The spokesman told
reporters Friday that the reports were baseless. Published reports have
quoted Pakistani officials as saying negotiations were underway to allow
for the president to step down. Musharraf senior ally Mushahid Hussein
tells VOA that, while he does not speak for the president, he could say
there are discussions between the government and the president aimed at
reaching an amicable settlement "so the country can move on."Hussein
confirmed the negotiations concern whether Mr. Musharraf would be
allowed to stay in Pakistan and if he would be immune from prosecution .
Hussein said that if the president chose to stay in office and fight
charges made against him, the president's allies would support him. Last
week, ruling!
  party lawmakers announced they are seeking to impeach Mr. Musharraf.
On Thursday, in an independence day address, President Musharraf said
the country needs political stability to fix its economic woes and
combat terrorism Removing the president requires a two-thirds majority
vote in both houses of Pakistan's parliament. Three of Pakistan's four
provincial legislatures have approved resolutions calling on Mr.
Musharraf to seek a confidence vote in the national parliament - a
process not required in the Pakistani constitution. Mr. Musharraf seized
power in a bloodless 1999 military coup. He ruled largely unchallenged
for years while enjoying U.S. support as a close ally in the fight
against terrorism. 


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