North America
- Canada - Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said "These measures undermine democratic development, judicial independence and the possibility of free and fair elections to which the people of Pakistan are entitled."
- United States - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said just before the imposition of a state of emergency that "the United States would not be supportive of extra-constitutional means... Pakistan needs to prepare for and hold free and fair elections." After the declaration she said that she was "deeply disturbed." Rice also said to media that "It is in the best interests of Pakistan and the Pakistani people for there to be a prompt return to the constitutional course, for there to be an affirmation that elections will be held for a new parliament and for all parties to act with restraint in what is obviously a very difficult situation." White House National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe called the action "very disappointing" and added that Musharraf "needs to stand by his pledges to have free and fair elections in January and step down as chief of army staff before retaking the presidential oath of office." The day before the declaration of emergency Admiral William J. Fallon chief of United States (CENTCOM) was in Pakistan where he met with Musharraf to discuss issues of mutual interest. The United States has no plans to suspend military aid to Pakistan in response to a declaration of emergency by President Pervez Musharraf, although Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that the US would review all assistance programs. Officials say that the United States is unlikely to impose significant sanctions. On 5 November the US announced that because of the current political situation it was suspending annual defense talks with Pakistan.The Deputy Secretary of State for the U.S. called "Musharraf" as an indispensable ally of the United States against the War on Terror. On 8 November US President George W. Bush spoke with Pervez Musharraf for twenty minutes on the telephone, in what Bush called a "very frank discussion." Bush said that he told Musharraf that elections need to be held soon and that Musharraf must step down as head of the military.
On 16 November 2007 US special envoy John Negroponte, having met with Pervez Musharraf and Ashfaq Kayani (Vice Chief of Army Staff) praised the general for prosperity in Pakistan and his action against extremism. He also said that he has urged that the State of Emergency be lifted and opponents released prior to the election.
Read more about this topic: International Reaction To The 2007 Pakistani State Of Emergency
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