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France snubs Musharraf, lectures him on democracy

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

France delivered a diplomatic snub to Pakistan's military ruler, General Pervez Musharraf, last morning when he was passing through Paris.

Musharraf, who was headed for the Non-Aligned Movement's summit in Havana, Cuba, stopped over in Paris with the aim of meeting the French leadership and gaining some international credibility for his isolated regime, which has been facing some of the toughest opposition from members of the European Union, including France.

Musharraf had earlier indicated his wish to meet French President Jacques Chirac. But as the president is currently away on a visit to Sweden, the Pakistani authorities then requested a meeting with Prime Minister Lionel Jospin. But the French premier turned down the request, citing a very hectic schedule on Monday.

Finally, it was only Hubert Vedrine, foreign minister, who met Musharraf at his hotel on Monday morning for an hour-long meeting. And as mutual courtesy, the French minstere des affaires etrangeres (ministry of external affairs) had kept the Indian mission posted of the developments.

The French say the meeting with Musharraf was not in any way a positive development in the bilateral relationship between France and Pakistan that has been on the rocks for the last year or so, especially since the Kargil misadventure of last summer.

A senior foreign ministry official told rediff.com that the meeting was primarily to convey some key messages to the Pakistani administration. "The first and foremost objective was to tell the general that he needs to set a clear roadmap for the restoration of democracy and civil rule. We are not satisfied with the recent declaration of holding local elections. That does not go far enough and we want clear, committed and real deadlines about the restoration of democracy."

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir also figured high on the agenda during the meeting. Vedrine is reported to have conveyed to Musharraf the French and the European desire to see the restoration of peace and dialogue with India. "We would like to see a return to the Lahore spirit and the respect of the Line of Control," the official told rediff.com

The French also used the occasion to discuss the situation in Afghanistan, especially the growing menace of narco-terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism. Vedrine urged Musharraf to use his influence with the Taleban to bring the situation under control.

A diplomatic source said the level of meeting and the tone of the French constituted a severe reprimand to the Pakistani ruler. "As diplomatic courtesy, the French could not have refused to meet him. So they chose to hold the meeting at the lowest possible level. And again, they used the meeting to convey in no uncertain terms what they think of the regime and the need to restore democracy in the country. This is hardly what Musharraf must have been looking for when he requested the meeting," the source pointed out.

Unlike the United States, the European Union has significantly downgraded its relationship with Pakistan and has so far refused to receive any officials from Pakistan or send high-level officials to that country.

Musharraf is, however, keen on getting a foot in the door and will be visiting Italy and Germany on his way back from Cuba.

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