Pakistan begins troop withdrawal from Indian border

October 18, 1999
Web posted at: 11:04 p.m. HKT (1504 GMT)

In this story: Many in country appear buoyed by speech Some say 'promises are not new' Bhutto voices her support RELATED STORIES, SITES

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The Pakistani army on Monday began withdrawing its troops from positions along the country's border with India, an army spokesman said, one day after military leader Gen. Pervez Musharraf pledged "unilateral military de-escalation."

Extra troops sent to the border during a confrontation over the Kargil mountains this summer in Kashmir were being withdrawn to peace-time locations.

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But they declined to say how long the process, which Musharraf described in a broadcast on Sunday as a "meaningful confidence-building measure," would take to complete.

The officials say troops were pulling out from the international border with India and not from the military Line of Control (LOC) dividing Kashmir.

"Orders have been issued and the return of forces that had been moved to borders in the last few months has already started this morning," military spokesman Brig. Rashid Qureshi told reporters.

"The de-escalation process has started," another army official told Reuters.

Both countries moved troops to borders during a two-month standoff over the Kargil Mountains in the disputed Kashmir region this summer, where India said Pakistani troops had occupied heights that led to clashes along the LOC. Hundreds of people on both sides died.

Brijesh Mishra, a top security aide to Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, dismissed the withdrawal, saying "tension was not on the international border. It was on the Line of Control."

Indian army commander Gen. V.P. Malik said the pullback had little military significance and that his forces would not immediately respond.

Musharraf has called for "results-oriented" dialogue with India over Kashmir. He also reiterated Pakistan's demand that India must agree to a U.N.-backed referendum in Kashmir to determine its future.

India has rejected a referendum out of hand.

In the wake of Pakistan's military coup last week, many Pakistanis say they support Musharraf and his pledge to restore order and to appoint civilians among his advisors.

In his speech to the nation on Sunday, Musharraf announced he would establish a six-member National Security Council of army officers and experts in legal, international and national affairs to run the country during its transition.

Dozens of young men in Karachi danced in the streets after the speech. Businessmen welcomed his promise to restore investor confidence.

After falling steadily since the military swept into power, the stock market rebounded with a 3 percent increase when the market opened on Monday

In Lahore, the hometown of toppled Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, shop owner Mohammed Asif credited the army with saving democracy in Pakistan. He said the army chief should wait at least two years before calling elections.

Some Pakistanis, however, voiced concern over Musharraf's refusal to specifically commit himself to elections.

Akbar Zaida, an independent economist in Karachi, said the army chief's promises are not new. "We have heard such promises many times before," Zaida said.

Musharraf addresses the nation on Sunday

He said Pakistanis should be wary of one-man rule. "He could be a benevolent dictator and people are banking on that hope," he added. "Should one endorse a military government even if it is good? I don't think so."

Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was dismissed from power twice on corruption charges, welcomed Musharraf's vow to hold accountable "all those who have damaged our nation through their own greed and abuse."

Since taking power, Musharraf has frozen the accounts of all politicians and senior bureaucrats and their spouses. He has also ordered the army to stop scores of people from leaving the country.

Musharraf gave supporters of ex-premier Sharif four weeks to return any looted government money.

Correspondent Nic Robertson, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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