In Pakistan, a massive show of protest to President General Pervez Musharraf was met with force yesterday in the third day of emergency rule. Thousands of lawyers, human rights activists and journalists were tear-gassed, beaten and arrested for protesting what they describe as nothing short of martial law. At least 2,000 people have been arrested, but the actual number is believed to be far higher. Over 48 hours after the crisis erupted, President Bush made his first public comments following a White House meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. Bush urged Musharraf to hold elections but stressed his importance as a key ally in the so-called war on terror.

President Bush: “I asked the secretary to call him to convey this message: that we expect there to be elections as soon as possible and that the president should remove his military uniform. Previous to his decision, we made it clear that these emergency measures would undermine democracy. Having said that, I did remind the prime minister that President Musharraf has been a strong fighter against extremists and radicals.”

Pakistan has received over $10.5 billion in U.S. aid since 2001. Three-quarters of that funding goes to the military. In Britain, opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif denounced Western support for Musharraf.

Shahbaz Sharif: “They have said they have been deeply disappointed; however, they have not gone beyond that. I think what we expect from them is to ensure that if this law is not rolled back, if the judiciary is not restored back as of 2nd of November, 2007, and if Musharraf does not step back, and if free and fair elections, as has been the topic of all over, is not ensured, then they must not — then they must cease to support him.”

Earlier on Monday, General Musharraf claimed his crackdown would in fact lead to a speedier transition to democratic elections.

Gen. Pervez Musharraf: “I am fully determined to execute the third stage of transition that I’ve been talking of. First stage being myself being in charge from ’99 to 2002. The second stage, my indirect control and overseeing from 2002 to 2007. And now, a totally civilian president and fresh elections. This was the future that I saw.”

Demonstrations are continuing in Pakistan today. Deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has called for mass defiance of Musharraf’s crackdown. More on Pakistan later in the broadcast.