'Government won't defend Benazir if convicted by foreign courts'

The government on Wednesday categorically said that it would not defend Benazir Bhutto if convicted by either Spanish or Swiss court in corruption cases. Rather, the government would continue facilitating if supporting documents, evidence or witnesses were sought by either of the two courts.
"The recently promulgated 'National Reconciliation Ordinance' does not cover overseas cases. Pakistan government would continue providing evidences against Benazir if asked," State Minister for Information Tariq Azeem told a news conference here at PML secretariat.
He said that the government had received the transcript of the Swiss magistrate's order against her and Asif Ali Zardari. The couple has been accused of serious corruption in the United Nation oil-for-food programme and taking kickbacks and commissions on government contracts.
Tariq said though the Pakistan government was not a damaged party in the cases being taken up by the Swiss and Spanish courts, it has been providing evidences and documents against her.
"Pakistan is not a damaged party, but its support on mutual assistance basis will continue," he said giving impression that 'reconciliation' between President Musharraf and Benazir was in jeopardy.
Sharing details of the cases, Azeem said that Swiss Magistrate Vincent Fournier, after completing his investigations, had said that the aggravated money-laundering case against the accused couple and their aide Schlegelmilch was ready for trial. He told reporters that dates of trial of the three accused would be decided by the Attorney General of Switzerland.
Contradicting the statement of Benazir's lawyer Farooq Naek that lawyers representing the couple had offered their services free of cost, the State Minister claimed that a Luxembourg-based offshore company-Verley Finance Limited-had been paying all the cost.
He dispelled the impression that the government was considering to withdraw cases against Benazir in Spanish court. Tariq said that the former premier could be jailed for 18 months if proved guilty in UN oil-for-food programme.
About whether the government would hand over Benazir to either countries, the Minister said, "Let the time come... we will see that we have signed any extradition treaty with them or not." He said; "Law is equal for everybody.
The government can not provide protection to any convict person." Regarding the question of power-sharing between Benazir and Musharraf, Tariq said that the government wanted to have reconciliation with her, "which now seems difficult".
"President Musharraf is very sincere for reconciliation, but it can't be done one-sided," he said, adding that accusations levelled by Benazir Bhutto had badly affected the 'reconciliation' process.