Скачать или смотреть SOUTH AFRICA: PAKISTAN SUSPENDED FROM COMMONWEALTH

(14 Nov 1999) English/Nat

Commonwealth leaders have confirmed the suspension of Pakistan from the 54-member association, condemning the recent coup and saying the country would not be readmitted until democracy was restored.

The group of mainly English-speaking nations, many of them former British colonies, also called for the release of ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others detained on charges of hijacking and kidnapping after last month's bloodless coup.

The statement on Pakistan was read out by the Commonwealth's outgoing secretary-general, Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria.

The leaders said they endorsed the decision of the eight-member Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (C-MAG) to suspend the military regime in Pakistan from the councils of the body pending the restoration of democracy.

The leaders stopped short of expelling Pakistan outright which should ensure the continuation of technical assistance to the country.

But they asked the group to keep an eye on developments and be prepared to recommend further measures by the Commonwealth if progress to democracy was not made quickly.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Heads of government condemned the unconstitutional overthrow of the democratically elected government in Pakistan on 12 October 1999. They believed that no legitimacy should be accorded to the military regime and called for the restoration of civil democratic rule without delay. They endorsed C-MAG's decision to suspend the military regime in Pakistan from the councils of the Commonwealth pending the restoration of democracy in the country. Heads of government requested C-MAG to keep the situation in Pakistan under review and be prepared to recommend further measures to be taken by the Commonwealth if progress to democracy is not made speedily. Recognising the unconstitutionality of the regime, heads of government urged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and that other detained with him be released immediately and that the rule of law in Pakistan be duly observed. That's the end of the statement on Pakistan.
SUPER CAPTION: Chief Emeka Anyaoku, outgoing secretary-general of the Commonwealth.

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