Set Time for Civilian Rule Not Provided

Four U.S. senators failed to get the timetable they were seeking from Pakistan’s military chief to return democracy to this country. The senators--Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), Harry Reid (D- Nev.) and Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii)--are the first U.S. delegation to visit Pakistan since Gen. Pervez Musharraf’s troops ousted the elected government three months ago. According to a Foreign Ministry statement, Musharraf told them that “Pakistan and the U.S. shared the values of democracy, human rights, justice and freedom.” Although Musharraf said he was committed to civilian rule, he did not say when he would allow it. Instead, he detailed the economic and electoral reforms that his government hopes to implement.