Pakistan ex-PM says no deal yet in political talks

Описание: (4 Oct 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of media and members of Pakistan People's Party outside former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's office
2. Bhutto sitting down during news conference
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Benazir Bhutto, Former Pakistan Prime Minister:
"There were a lot of last minute discussions on key issues, and as a consequence of these discussions, we are expecting, we are optimistic today, but I cannot say everything is finalised because we are still waiting to see in documentary form, what is the verbal understanding between the two sides. So we have to wait till we see, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip. But as of yesterday there was a stalemate as a consequence of last night's hectic negotiations and discussions and assurances, we feel we have moved forward. But until we see the national reconciliation bill in print form, we would not be able to confirm where we stand. But we are now optimistic that this is going through and that we are close to an understanding. That will be subject to us being given the written document which will be upon formation of what was discussed last night."
4. Cutaway of media
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Benazir Bhutto, Former Pakistan Prime Minister:
"If we were voting for a uniformed president I would agree with you."
(Reporter: But you're participating...)
"Well that is a different issue. There are two views, one is that if you participate in an election, you legitimise it. The second is if you vote you legitimise it. As far as we in the PPP are concerned we believe that if we had voted for a uniformed president we would be legitimising it. But as I said we are unable to vote for General Musharraf and he understands this. Because PPP stands for democracy and democracy means a distinction between civilian and military and since General Musharraf continues to be chief of army staff we will not be voting for him but we will also not be resigning."
6. Cutaway of Bhutto surrounded by media
7. Bhutto standing up to leave news conference
8. Media and members of Pakistan People's Party outside Bhutto's office
STORYLINE:
Ex-Pakistani premier Benazir Bhutto said on Thursday that she expects to reach an agreement on a democratic transition in Pakistan once President General Pervez Musharraf's government introduces an amnesty dropping corruption cases against her and other politicians.
Bhutto and officials from her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) have been engaged in on-off power-sharing talks with Musharraf, who is expected to win a presidential election on Saturday.
On Wednesday Bhutto said talks had stalled and vowed to inflict a "severe blow" to Musharraf's re-election plans by quitting parliament.
But by Thursday the ex-Pakistani Prime Minister said a deal was close, although she stressed nothing was final and that her party was still waiting to see the final text of the amnesty.
"There were a lot of last minute discussions on key issues, and as a consequence of these discussions, we are expecting, we are optimistic today, but I cannot say everything is finalised because we are still waiting to see in documentary form, what is the verbal understanding between the two sides," Bhutto said at a news briefing in London.
"So we have to wait till we see, there's many a slip between the cup and the lip," she added.
An agreement would avert a boycott by Bhutto's party of Saturday's vote by federal and provincial Pakistani lawmakers.
Other opposition parties have already pulled their lawmakers from national and provincial assemblies in protest, hoping to undermine the credibility of the election.

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