Senator Chris Dodd, senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the resignation of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf:

“The resignation of Pakistan President Musharraf – nine years after the military coup that brought him to power – is welcome news.  Though it may deepen Pakistan’s political challenges in the short term, it is essential to Pakistan’s long-term stability and return to a durable democracy. 

“The Bush administration’s overreliance on General Musharraf during the past seven years has reduced our influence in this critical nuclear state and cast serious doubt on our strategic commitment to the Pakistani people.  Musharraf’s resignation is an opportunity to unequivocally help Pakistanis achieve their democratic aspirations, and help shape Pakistan into a positive regional partner.

“Pakistan’s political leaders should focus on the people’s and the nation’s interests – rising above partisan squabbles. Likewise, Pakistan’s armed forces should strictly limit themselves to the role of neutral guarantor of stability while staying completely out of civilian politics.”

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