SRI LANKA-Narrow Options

beginning to get embroiled on the other in yet another futile adventure in Afghanistan (through the Islamabad-trained Taliban forces), at the risk of antagonising Iran, Pakistan's traditionalally. The popular mood of frustration with civilian rule might swing over to a desire for an authoritarian regime, expecting that the latter would impose discipline and be decisive. Major general Zahoor-ul-Islam and the 35 army officers (including a brigadier and three colonels) who were arrested on September 26 could have planned their coup on the assumption that it would have the support of the people or at least, would not be opposed by them.