Is Israel Trying To Save Musharraf?

Peres is taking personal interest in saving his "friend" Musharraf.

"There is no direct diplomatic contact between Pakistan and Israel in this connection," a senior Foreign Office official told IslamOnline.net wishing not to be named.

"However, our missions in the US and Britain have reported a series of meetings between Israeli diplomats and top-level officials of the two countries during the last week on the impeachment move."

Once the most powerful man of Pakistan and a blue-eyed boy of the US, Musharraf is facing the toughest time in his life with the four-party ruling coalition promising to complete his impeachment process by the first week of September.

According to the constitution, an impeachment motion stands successful if it wins a two-thirds of the combined strength of the national assembly and the senate.

The four-party coalition reportedly has 10 more votes than needed, especially after several of Musharraf's allies threatened to back the impeachment if you does not resign.

Musharraf whipped up a storm of local diatribe in January of this year over a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Paris.

Musharraf and the now coma-stricken former hawkish Israeli premier Ariel Sharon shook hands on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in September 2005.

He was the first Pakistani leader who was invited to address the influential World Jewish Congress in the US in 2005.

After that historic event, his then foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri met his Israeli counterpart Silvon Shalom in Turkey.

Musharraf sparked a wave of criticism after saying in 2006 his government would have to recognize Israel after an independent Palestinian state was established.

Pakistan doesn’t not recognize Israel due to its occupation of Palestine.

Friend Peres

The senior Foreign Office official claims that Israeli President Shimon Peres is taking personal interest in saving his "friend" Musharraf, exploiting his contacts with the American and British governments.

"Reports reaching here suggest that Peres wants a safe exit for Musharraf and is also ready to provide security to his friend outside Pakistan."

Peres called Musharraf a few days ago.

Though the details of their conversation were not available with the Foreign Office, sources believe Peres offered help.

Musharraf sparked a wave of criticism after he addressed the World Jewish Congress during his 2006.

He said his government would have to recognize Israel after an independent Palestinian state was established.

Pakistan doesn’t not recognize Israel due to its occupation of Palestine.

Sources privy to Musharraf claim that he has been meeting regularly with Pres for the last three years.

They first met in Davos in January 2005 and have since been regularly exchanging letters and phone calls.

According to the sources, Peres wrote his first-ever official letter to Musharraf in October 2007, appreciating his efforts in the fight against terrorism.

Musharraf, in his response, thanked the Israeli president for his support and good wishes.

These letters were exchanged through diplomatic channels of Turkey, sources maintained.

"I have personally seen the letter written by Peres and the letter from Musharraf which he wrote in response," claims Hamid Mir, a senior political and security analyst.

"I want to remind you that Peres had said in October 2001 that he prayed for the life of Musharraf every morning as he (Musharraf) had signed his death warrant by changing the Afghan policy of Pakistan," he noted.

"Israel has strong friendly relations with Turkey and is in a position to provide security to Musharraf in Turkey."

Recent reports suggested Musharraf would live in his newly-bought mansion in Istanbul after leaving Pakistan.

Go-Between

Mir claims that a close friend of Musharraf, Dr Nasim Ashraf, currently acting as Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, is reportedly busy lobbying for him with the Jewish lobby in the US nowadays.

"This friend of Musharraf has met many leaders of the World Jewish Congress recently.

Musharraf has publically praised Ashraf in recognition of his services for facilitating his address to the Jewish lobby in New York in 2006.

"Ashraf personally contacted me a few months back and tried to convince me to launch a campaign in favor of Pak-Israel diplomatic relations," said Mir.

"He told me that it is in Pakistan’s interest to establish diplomatic ties with Israel. He promised to take me to Israel also."

Ashraf, tipped to be close to World Jewish Congress, still enjoys ministerial status in Pakistan without being elected and despite the fact that he is an American citizen.

"Musharraf had asked the Foreign Office in early 2007 to prepare a plan for the recognition of Israel but it did not materialize due to the political turmoil started in March 2007," Mir claims.

"Musharraf knows that he is still popular with the Indian and Israeli establishments and has a lot of friends in Western capitals as well.

"If provided a safe exit, he can find a new role for himself in international diplomacy."