This just in from Peter Tatchell, glowing and just back from his
average night on the town. Oh, I'll let him tell you more, De Bello
Gallico style...
President Musharraf's limousine was forced to halt in Park Lane,
London, tonight (25 January), when human rights campaigner Peter
Tatchell ran in front of his car in protest at the Pakistan
dictator's "suppression of democracy and human
rights."
The ambush happened outside the Hilton Hotel Park Lane, as
the President's motorcade drew close to the hotel, where he was
scheduled to speak.
"I stood inconspicuously at a bus stop reading a
newspaper, waiting for Musharraf's motorcade to arrive,"
recalled Mr Tatchell.
"When the police motorcycle escorts drew level, I ran
out into Park Lane and straight in front of the President's car.
It screeched to a halt.
"I unfurled a placard protesting against Musharraf's
massacre of civilians in occupied Baluchistan. The placard read:
"Stop Pakistan Massacre of Baluch people."
"Musharraf could clearly see the placard. He did not
look pleased.
"His driver tried to back up and drive around me, but I
ran in front of the limousine again, forcing it to halt once
more.
"I could see Musharraf in the back seat shouting
something at his driver. Perhaps he feared that I was an
assassin or a suicide bomber.
"The limo reversed again and tried to swerve past me. I
blocked it for the third time.
"Musharraf and his colleagues look very agitated.
"Eventually, police motorcycle escorts ran over and
dragged me away from the bonnet of Musharraf's vehicle.
"They pulled me across the road to the central
reservation in Park Lane, where I was pinned against the
railing.
"Shortly afterwards, the police let me go and I joined
the main anti-Musharraf demonstration outside the Hilton Hotel,
organised by lawyers protesting against the arrest of fellow
lawyers and supreme court judges in Pakistan.
"Although my placard specifically condemned Musharraf's
human rights abuses in Baluchistan, I support all the people of
Pakistan who are struggling against dictatorship and for
democracy.
"It is shameful that the British Prime Minister, Gordon
Brown, is entertaining Musharraf at Downing Street on Monday. He
is siding with a dictator against the people of Pakistan.
"Musharraf is guilty of crimes against humanity,
including the indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas in
Baluchistan, using weaponry supplied by Britain and the US.
"Pakistani human rights groups say his regime practices
detention without trial, torture and extra-judicial killings.
"Musharraf is a criminal. He should be arrested by the
UK authorities and put on trial in The Hague," said Mr
Tatchell.