Musharraf Promises Fair Elections
(Ebru News/AP) Pakistan's president held talks today with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a significant last stop on his European tour to shore up Western support for his creaking regime.
President Pervez Musharraf said he offers the best hope for tackling extremism that has spread from his country's lawless tribal lands, and he told Brown that elections slated for next month will be legitimate.
Pervez Musharraf, Pakistani President said:
"I did inform the prime minster (of) our strong desire to go forward with the elections and to ensure that the election will be free, fair and transparent. That is what our resolve is and we will have the elections on 18 February and I also informed the prime minster of how I see the scenario developing beyond 18 February and we are very sure that we will have a peaceful transition and we will have a strong democratic government following 18 February elections."
Brown said it was "important to the international community that transparent, free and fair elections take place in Pakistan."
Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister said:
"And I think the president understands my support for that and that we have worked together to see what we can do to help each other in building democratic systems around the world."
Musharraf has repeatedly claimed elections will be fair, but pro-democracy campaigners remain convinced the February 18 poll will be rigged in his favor.
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