British PM Urges Pakistan On To Democratic Future

PM urges Pakistan on to democratic future

Gordon Brown has encouraged President Musharraf to go-ahead with planned democratic elections following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.

In a Downing Street statement, the Prime Minister said that he had passed the whole nation's condolences to the people of Pakistan in a telephone call with President Musharraf.

The PM added:

"The international community is united in its outrage and determination that those who stoop to such tactics shall not prevail.

"I therefore encouraged President Musharraf to stick to the course he has outlined to build democracy and stability in Pakistan."

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FULL STATEMENT

t"I have just spoken again to President Musharraf. I passed on my condolences, and those of the British people, following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and many of her supporters yesterday.

"This was a cowardly terrorist act designed to destabilise democratic elections. The international community is united in its outrage and determination that those who stoop to such tactics shall not prevail. I therefore encouraged President Musharraf to stick to the course he has outlined to build democracy and stability in Pakistan.

"This deadly attack is also a potent reminder of the threat we face from terror. Pakistan is a major ally in the global effort to combat this menace. I told President Musharraf that the UK is prepared to sustain and build the already significant counter-terrorism support we offer his country, not least in the effort to destroy Al Qaida."

ENDS

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