Musharraf, Benazir talks likely to resume in Dubai

Stalled talks on a deal between Pakistan military ruler Pervez Musharraf and former premier Benazir Bhutto are expected to resume soon, with the venue moving to Dubai, ministers said yesterday.
Negotiations held in London last week between the two-time prime minister and president Musharraf's top aides ended in deadlock, with Benazir saying that she would fly back to the crisis-hit Islamic republic regardless.
"Our stand is that dialogue should continue," Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani told AFP, despite the failure so far to thrash out a power-sharing deal between the embattled general and his bitter rival.
He confirmed that Musharraf's top aide was in the Gulf emirate and said that it would "probably" be the venue for further discussions, as reported in several newspapers here.
The talks ran into trouble after the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Party opposed Benazir's demands that Musharraf should quit as army chief before being re-elected for another five-year term as president.
Benazir said he should also cede his powers to dissolve parliament, allow premiers to serve a third term and give an amnesty to herself and other politicians covering her two terms in power between 1989 and 1996.
"It is expected that the talks will be resumed," deputy information minister Tariq Azeem told AFP.
Azeem said some of Benazir's demands were "unrealistic" but would not elaborate, adding only: "If the demands are realistic, there are more chances of reaching an understanding."
Benazir's Pakistan People's Party confirmed that the ex-premier would be in Dubai late Monday. But spokesman Farhatullah Babar told AFP the visit was "not linked to the dialogue".
Benazir held secret talks with Musharraf in Abu Dhabi in July.
Meanwhile, ruling out any compromise with embattled President Pervez Musharraf, exiled former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif has called for the ousting of military-backed government in the country.
"... A uniform has no place in our constitution, has no place in politics. An army has no role in politics according to our law and according to our constitution," Sharif said in an interview with CNN's 'Late Edition' on Sunday.
Asked if Musharraf is acceptable on shedding uniform, Sharif replied: "Whether he gets himself elected in uniform or without uniform is unacceptable. And this is why the total... the entire civil society of the country, the 160 million people are struggling for...”