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Pakistani Cleric Calls for Better Relations With U.S.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — The leader of a radical Islamic group that made major gains in Pakistan’s parliamentary elections called Tuesday for better relations with the United States.
Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, leader of a six-party alliance of hard-line Islamic groups called the United Action Forum, also insisted Washington must soften its attitude toward Pakistan’s Islamic parties.
“We would like to have better ties with America, but there will be no compromise on national issues,” said Rehman, who claims to have held “very successful” coalition talks with major parties.
Also Tuesday, Pakistani police backed by FBI agents arrested four men in a refugee camp for Afghans. The men were suspected of close ties to Usama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network, police said.
On Monday a 115-member contingent of U.S. soldiers arrived for joint military exercises with Pakistani troops in eastern Punjab province.
In campaigning for the Oct. 10 elections, Islamic parties promised to withdraw Pakistan’s support for the United States in its war on terror.
But since they won 45 seats in the 342-member National Assembly – a major improvement over their previous handful of seats – the leaders of the Islamic parties have appeared more conciliatory toward the United States.
**“We will be very flexible and cooperative with all inside and outside Pakistan,” **Rehman said, but added, **“We have won elections because the majority of the people opposed President Pervez Musharraf’s policies on Afghanistan.” **
Musharraf, an army general who became a key ally of the United States in the war against terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks, has vowed to continue his country’s support for coalition forces.
Because no party controls even one-quarter of the seats in the national assembly, other major groups are exploring whether or not to form a coalition with the United Action Forum.
Rehman declined to go into detail on his discussions with the pro-Musharraf Qaid-e-Azam faction of the Pakistan Muslim League or with representatives of the Pakistan People’s Party of exiled former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.
But members in the People’s Party said they urged Rehman to soften its approach toward the United States.
Rehman said he would advise other leaders of his Islamic alliance on his talks when they meet in Islamabad on Wednesday.
“We know that we alone can’t form a government at the national level,” but other political parties know the alliance’s strength is significant, Rehman said.
The pro-Musharraf faction holds the largest bloc of seats – 77, and Bhutto’s party follows with 63 seats.
Musharraf has promised to transfer power to a new coalition government next month, but he will remain as president and holds the power to sack the prime minister and dissolve parliament.
