A CONVERSATION WITH BENAZIR BHUTTO

The presidents kept dismissing governments?

Yes, we believe this was actually done at the request of the security services. The political parties were discredited and the militants grew in strength. . . . But we feel that having 10 governments in 10 years leads to a collapse in governance. The extremists benefit from the chaos.

Is that what stands between you, Musharraf and a deal?

That's one issue, but what stands between us right now is confidence-building steps which were promised and which we want done by the end of the month.

Such as?

Lifting the ban on a twice-elected prime minister. . . . He said yes to that in July. And also immunity to holders of public office from 1988 to 2000. He said yes to that in January of this year.

So Musharraf hasn't lifted the ban on your serving a third term?

I expected him to do the lifting of the ban on the twice-elected prime minister and the immunity for public officers by the end of August. Because he plans to get elected 15 days later in September. So my party needs to see these steps if we are expected to take a certain course of action during the elections.

In other words, if you are expected to support him?

He doesn't want our support, but he doesn't want us going out on the streets and agitating against him. . . . My party says that we have to oppose the presidential election because it is illegal. I have said that if he takes confidence-building measures, then we don't have to vote for him but we don't have to create a ruckus in the streets.

What are the Americans saying?

Their message is, 'We want the stability of Pakistan, fair elections, and General Musharraf is our ally.'