LAHORE, Aug 28: In what could be seen as a move to disengage the government from holding talks with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal on the Legal Framework Order, Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has showed her willingness in opening parleys on the issue at the same time.

However, she refused to extend support to any possible agreement between the government and the religious alliance.

Speaking at a telephonic conference from London here on Thursday, she said if General Pervez Musharraf wanted a way out of the present crisis, he should give up “shadow boxing” and sit together with Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali and Alliance for Restoration of Democracy chief Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan to find a solution.

The MMA could also be included in the discourse, she added.

Refusing to support any government-MMA deal, she made it clear that she would endorse the agreement that would be signed with the PPP or the ARD.

However, she favoured continuing the talks process, saying if the process was cut off there would be no hope for settling the constitutional affair.

Undeterred by Gen Musharraf’s uncompromising stand on the status of the LFO and the possible consequences for the entire system in case it was withdrawn, the former prime minister said Gen Musharraf needed indemnity and if the present assembly could not serve the purpose then which assembly would.

“Gen Musharraf apparently seems stronger but, in fact, he is very weak.”

She demanded the government enlist in a booklet form all steps and laws of the army ruler that required validation by parliament, and making available this booklet to media so that a public debate could be held before ratifying each and every clause of it.

Denying the impression that she had been creating hurdles in PPP’s deal with the army at the time of government formation, she said representatives of the army had been handed a list of issues to be addressed before developing any understanding. But no progress could be made in this respect, she regretted.

Ms Bhutto opposed recognition of Israel until it pulled out of Golan Heights and stopped violence against Palestinians.

“After all, what has Israel offered to Gen Musharraf that he wants to recognize it? Will it offer Patriot missiles to Islamabad? Will it end its friendly ties with India? Will it extend support on the Kashmir issue? Or, will it only fortify Gen Musharraf’s rule?” she questioned.

The PPP chairperson favoured sending of troops to Iraq but only under the umbrella of the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference or the Gulf Cooperation Council.

About the construction of Kalabagh Dam, she said consensus of all the four provinces on water issue was a constitutional requirement.

Ms Bhutto claimed that when she was the prime minister she learnt during a briefing that the water to be obtained through the Kalabagh Dam would be costlier than mineral water.

Replying to a question about rumours of deal for the release of her spouse Asif Zardari, she said she had been hearing such stories for the last five years.

The PPP Chairperson said she wanted to see Mr Zardari being released on merit, and added that she would never accept the government’s condition that she should quit politics to secure his freedom.