Musharraf baits enemies with peace

By CNN's Talat Hussain

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Pakistan's military ruler is trying to win political support for his July summit with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bahari Vajpayee.

But so far General Pervez Musharraf's effort has produced mixed results.

A 16-party Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, opposed to Musharraf's rule, has turned down his invitation for talks.

The united opposition front, which includes two of Pakistan's largest parties, the Peoples Party and the Muslim League, says Musharraf does not have the people's mandate to negotiate with India.

In his stride

ÊCNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition Ê

Musharraf has taken the rebuff in his stride.

He has opened dialogue with the leaders of smaller political parties. He is also planning to meet with the country's religious leaders.

Political observers in Pakistan believe Musharraf is using these consultations as a means to strengthen his domestic position.

He has come under fire from all quarters for his decision last week to sack Pakistan's constitutionally elected president and dissolve the country's parliament, suspended since his bloodless coup in October 1999.

Some have already challenged his move to become president in Pakistan's courts.

The response of the international community, including the US, to his manipulative actions, has been stern.

Musharraf, by reaching out to the country's politicians and opinion leaders, is trying to defuse some of this pressure.

History of dictatorships

Musharraf elevated himself to president last week in the run-up to the landmark summit.

The new president is not the first to use foreign policy to elevate his status.

Ayub Khan, Pakistan's first military dictator, appointed himself in the sixties and held power for 10 years. He said the country needed strong leadership to protect itself against India.

Ziaul Haq, another general, used the invasion of Afghanistan by the Soviets, which brought them right on Pakistan's Northern border, to extend his rule for 11 years.

He said he was defending the country against a predatory superpower.

Musharraf is following in their footsteps.

The only difference is that while past dictators exploited the fear of war to bolster their support, Musharraf is offering the prospect of peace with India as a bait to the leaders of different parties.

Peace as bait

Musharraf has often talked about re-introducing democracy to Pakistan

A few have already spoken in Musharraf's favor.

The head of a key fundamentalist party, the Party of Islamic Scholars, which supports militant organizations in Indian-held Kashmir, has supported Musharaff's visit to India, calling it a sensible step.

However, Musharraf will need many more nods to justify his stay in power.

There is a lot pent-up frustration in the public.

Even those groups who are backing the military government expect to get a share in power in return.

Up to the summit with Vajpayee and even after, it is tightrope walking for Musharraf.