Re: Bush Administration Pushing Elections in Pakistan Following Bhutto Assassination.
Another key world power urging Pakistan to carry on with elections.
** Japan hopes for Pakistan’s democratisation**
Updated at Friday, December 28, 2007 1700 PST
TOKYO: Japan voiced hope Friday that Pakistan stays on the course to democracy after opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated while campaigning for next month’s elections. “Japan will make all efforts to continue supporting the country’s democratisation, reconstruction and prosperity,” chief government spokesman Nobutaka Machimura said. “Such a cowardly act of terrorism must be condemned strongly,” Machimura said. “I hope the Pakistani government and people overcome this hardship and firmly pave the way towards democratisation.” Japan is a major donor to Pakistan, a frontline ally in the US-led “war on terror,” despite concerns about the Islamic nation’s nuclear arsenal. Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba said unrest in Pakistan concerned Japan. “Restoring Pakistan from this confusion will have an extremely significant impact on Japan’s national interests,” Ishiba told reporters.