Constitution permits me to keep both offices, meeting with Manmohan 'major breakthrough': Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said that he is an elected president and the Constitution permitted him to hold the offices of army chief and the president at the same time. The President was talking to NBC News channel.
In reply to a question that he was not an elected President and he is holding the office of army chief, the President said: "Two-thirds of our National Assembly voted for me to be in uniform, so, it's very clear that I've been elected.
"I am elected. And, constitutionally, I'm permitted to hold these two offices."
The President said that Pakistan's sustained and determined campaign against terrorism has weakened al Qaeda considerably and now while it can undertake small actions, it may not be in a position to launch big actions.
"I think, with their bases broken, their sustenance will be difficult. So, I think, while they can operate and undertake small actions, they can not undertake big actions. And it will be difficult for them to sustain themselves," he said.
He said that Pakistani forces have busted the al Qaeda terror suspects in cities.
"Their leadership, a few high-level, and others mid and low-level have been arrested; then we have attacked them in the mountains.
We have attacked three of their very big sanctuaries in the valleys in the South Waziristan Agency in tribal areas - but they're on the run now.
And they're in smaller groups. Maybe there are a few more concentrations, which we don't know. But they are on the run, as far as al Qaeda is concerned, they're on their own, surely."
The President said his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "is a major breakthrough" in the bilateral Pakistan-India relations, as it has been an immense success.
"I hope the meeting will augur well for the success of the dialogue process to help bring about harmony, peace and prosperity to the region."
"It was an epoch-making day," the President told PTV in an interview.
The President referred to the joint statement issued at the conclusion of the hour-long meeting, and said, "we are moving in the right direction."
"I believe he is a sincere person," the President said of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Asked as to what was discussed in his meeting with President George W. Bush, the President said all issues of bilateral, regional and international concern came under discussion.
He said, the need was impressed that political conflicts facing the world required to be tackled, particularly the Palestinian issue, which breeds extremism and terrorism.
About the vision of enlightened moderation that he has propounded President Musharraf said the world fraternity has commended it, as it is a strategy aimed at tolerance, peace and prosperity.
In this behalf, he said it is based on two-pronged strategy pertaining to socio-economic path and resolution of political conflicts.
Indications about a headway in this direction was in sight, and it is hoped that more attainments in this regard would make the world more comfortable and safer.