Deputy Secretary Negroponte spoke about relations with Pakistan, Pakistani President Musharraf’s decision to declare a state of emergency, growing protests in the country, and potential impact the actions might have on efforts to combat terrorism. In his remarks, he defended President Musharraf as an “indispensable” ally who had made Pakistan a “more moderate, more prosperous partner” that shared “most basic strategic imperatives.” Members responded by comparing Pakistan’s crisis to the political chaos that preceded the fall of the shah of Iran and led to the 1979 Islamic revolution.