Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 21, 2008

Musharraf Pledges to Hold Free Elections, Honor Results of Next
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Month's Vote
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AFE19B:A6F02AD83191E1601B1DDFAB465FB3EC5C6F54A6CF9DC2CA& Pakistani
president also says, despite recent turmoil, country still on course
toward democracy





Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf shakes hands with EU foreign
policy chief Javier Solana, in Brussels, 21 Jan 2008Pakistani
President Pervez Musharraf has opened a four-nation tour of Europe,
pledging that his country's legislative elections next month will be
free and fair.

Speaking with reporters Monday in Brussels before meeting with senior
European and NATO officials, Mr. Musharraf said he would honor the
results of the vote. He also said that despite recent turmoil, his
country was still on course toward democracy.

Mr. Musharraf has said that one of the purposes of his trip is to
improve Pakistan's image, and remove misperceptions about recent
events in his country, such as the temporary state of emergency he
imposed last year.

The Pakistani president will meet today with Belgian Prime Minister
Guy Verhofstadt, European Union officials, including foreign-policy
chief Javier Solana, and NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.

Mr. Musharraf's schedule for the week also takes him to France and
Britain, and to the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
Analysts say he can expect to be challenged over his government's
handling of security issues, and last month's assassination of
opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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