Musharraf planning political exile... in New Mexico? (UPDATED)
Many news outlets were reporting the news that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf had announced his resignation on Monday in the face of imminent impeachment charges.
But one detail that hasn’t been widely reported is the possibility that the ex-military dictator might be moving to New Mexico.
According to Shuja Nawaz, a former Pakistani journalist and International Development Agency official, that’s precisely the plan.
“He's likely... to leave the country and that a possible immediate destination may be Dubai, and then eventually may be New Mexico in the United States,” Nawaz told Margret Warner of PBS’ Newshour, also on Monday.” But this is unconfirmed,” he added.
Warner immediately interjected “New Mexico?” somewhat incredulously, but quickly moved on to other subjects surrounding Musharraf’s exit.
Caitlin Kelleher, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Richardson, tells NMI that if the former Pakistani leader is planning on relocating to New Mexico, the governor isn't aware of it.
"The governor doesn't know anything about that," Kelleher said in a brief phone interview Tuesday morning.
Comments:
Posted 08/19/2008 12:57 with
Good catch David.
I just about gagged when he said that. What doesn’t come across in the transcript was the look on Warner’s face and her tone when she responded, “New Mexico?” Nor her lovely bit of hesitation that followed. It was a riot.
I can only imagine how many New Mexicans watching from every corner, all saying out loud, “what?!”
I know I did.
Posted 08/19/2008 14:27 with
I was literally falling asleep when I saw this last night. I then proceeded to laugh out loud for about 5 minutes. Amazing. Someone told me today that Marcos has spent time in New Mexico after leaving the Phillipines. Anyone hear about that?
Posted 08/19/2008 15:18 with
Gene, thanks. Very true about the look on Warner’s face.
absolutezero, I have a call out to a local foreign service retiree here in NM re: Ferdinand Marcos. I’ll update the story again if/when I hear back.
Posted 08/26/2008 16:10 with
i predict that musharraf, richardson, and hendry are going into the movie business together. they’re going to get a $15 million loan from the state and make ‘bordertown, the musical” starring val kilmer.