September 28, 2006	Thursday	Ramazan 4, 1427

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NEW YORK, Sept 27: “In the Line of Fire”, the controversial memoir by President Musharraf hit the number one spot on most top 10 best-seller lists as the Pakistani leader made rounds of big American talk shows and networks on Tuesday. On Amazon.com it was number 2 by Tuesday evening.

On Tuesday Pakistan mission in New York and Embassy in Washington tried to buy the book from retailers — like Barnes and Noble, and Borders book store chains — but it was sold out. In Manhattan the Barnes and Noble said it will not be able to replenish stocks until weekend.

The book, written in racy language, has generated immense interest in so far as it is candid. But it has also come under criticism for a number of inaccuracies and some conclusions based on flimsy information. Also some events and incidents related could not be corroborated.

For instance on page 237 of the book Gen Musharraf writes “those of habitually accuse us of “ not doing enough’ in the war on terror should simply ask the CIA how much prize money it has paid to Government of Pakistan”, but when pressed by CNN anchor he recanted saying “no Pakistan government was not paid.”

Veteran diplomats at the United Nations found his reference to the 1971 Polish resolution too simplistic, and written without adequate research. They said it reflected a total lack of understanding of the international situation prevailing at that time, especially the strained relations between China and the Soviet Union.

On the issue of nuclear proliferation Gen Musharraf says that A.Q. Khan had leaked 18 tons of nuclear equipment including centrifuge designs, parts and even actual centrifuges to North Korea.

In fact he suggests that the information passed by nuclear scientist was somehow passed to Indians in Dubai and in fact compromised the national security.

APP ADDS: President General Pervez Musharraf is due here on Thursday on a two-day visit to United Kingdom to discuss a wide-ranging agenda with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The president is breaking his journey while on his way home from USA where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, met President George Bush and attended a host of other events including the launch of his book.

According to Pakistan High Commissioner to UK Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the president will meet Tony Blair at Chequers — the official country residence of the British Prime Minister in Buckinghamshire, 55 miles West of London.