Commonwealth Secretary-General goes to Pakistan to Discuss Political Crisis

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku is to travel to Pakistan today to discuss with the country's leaders the current political crisis in the country.

The Secretary-General said: "I am very concerned about developments in Pakistan, particularly in so far as they impact on democracy and constitutional rule and the principles enshrined in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration. I plan to be there as soon as possible for discussion with the parties concerned in the hope of helping to resolve this grave political crisis."

Note to Editors:
The Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991 sets forth the 54-member association's fundamental principles, which include a commitment to democracy, good government and the rule of law. The 1995 Millbrook Commonwealth Action Programme on the Harare Declaration sets out steps to be followed where a member country is perceived to be clearly in violation of the Harare Declaration and particularly in the event of an unconstitutional overthrow of a democratically elected government. A Commonwealth team observed Pakistan's general elections in 1993 and in February this year.

Issued by the Information and Public Affairs Division,
Commonwealth Secretariat,
Marlborough House,
Pall Mall,
London SW1Y 5HX,
Britain.
Tel: 0207-839 3411;
Fax: 0207-839 9081;
Telex: 27678

97/62 02 December 1997