A six-member National Security Council of army officers and
experts in legal, international and national affairs, plus a
small advisory council and a Cabinet of Ministers will be
formed to run Pakistan during its transition, Musharraf said.
"Quite clearly, what Pakistan has experienced in recent years
has been the label of democracy, not the essence of it,"
Musharraf said, adding that a lack of governmental
accountability has resulted in corruption "of horrendous
proportions."
Musharraf said his own financial records are "open for public
scrutiny."
The speech was Musharraf's second since the military deposed
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
"Pakistan today stands at the crossroads of its destiny -- a
destiny which is in our hands to make or break," Musharraf
said.
"Today we have reached a stage where our economy has
crumbled; our credibility is lost ... provincial disharmony
has caused cracks in the federation, and people who were once
brothers are at each other's throats.
"Is this the way to anchor the new millennium?"
Musharraf outlined several priorities of the military regime,
including restoring national cohesion and morale, reviving
the country's economy and restoring investor confidence,
depoliticizing state institutions and ensuring "swift and
across-the-board" accountability.
Offers olive branch to India
In a gesture apparently designed to improve relations with
India, Musharraf -- whose troops are accused of taking part
in the infiltration of India's Kargil heights last summer --
announced a military "de-escalation" along the Indian border.
The border, especially the U.N.-monitored boundary dividing
Indian and Pakistani Kashmir, is frequently the scene of
artillery duels.
Still, Musharraf made it clear that Pakistan would continue
to diplomatically and politically support Kashmiri militants
who are seeking independence from India.
Power brokers urged to settle debts
Musharraf, who has accused Sharif's administration of
widespread corruption, gave supporters of the ex-premier four
weeks to come clean with any looted government wealth.
"They owe this to Pakistan, and I expect the spirit of
patriotism to guide them," Musharraf said.
To pursue corrupt politicians, the names of 54 business and
political supporters of the ex-premier have been given to
airport officials in Pakistan's major cities with orders to
arrest them if they try to enter or leave the country.
Pakistani army officers on Saturday combed bank records and
questioned travelers. Sharif was reported under house arrest,
but reports circulated around Islamabad that he may have been
moved by his captors. His entire Cabinet was under some form
of detention, sources told CNN Sunday.
The European Union condemned the military takeover Saturday
and threatened to cut off aid if democracy were not restored,
but no Western countries have pressed for Sharif's return.
On Friday, U.S. Ambassador William Milam delivered a message
from President Clinton to Musharraf, saying the United States
wants a return to civilian rule as soon as possible.
Correspondent Kasra Naji, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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