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Dear Avaaz members,

Against all odds, Pakistan's democrats won the elections - let's tell Musharraf and his allies not to block the transition:
View & Support the Ad
Good news from Pakistan -- opposition parties pledged to restore civilian democracy won the elections for which we campaigned.1 But outrageously, President Musharraf has hinted he may try to "get rid of" the new government if it challenges him.2 After imposing martial law last year and dismissing the judiciary to lock in his power, his survival in the presidency now rests on backing from Western powers like the US and the UK, along with Pakistan's army.

As the horse-trading begins, tensions are high -- and Musharraf has not yet convened Parliament. The Pakistani people have cast an undeniable vote for change and they must not be betrayed. Let's give them our own vote of global support with big advertisements in Pakistan's The News, a respected broadsheet read by politicians, ambassadors and generals alike, calling on all parties- the US and the UK in particular- to support not undermine the people's vote. We need to raise $10,632 for this -- so click here to view and endorse the ad, then please give a donation if you can:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_has_spoken/6.php

Already last year, over 83,000 of us called on the international community to condemn General Musharraf's crackdown and press for constitutional rule and free and fair elections. Avaaz campaigners delivered that message privately to high-level contacts in the US Congress and the British government, key supporters of the General who have since begun to shift. The election and polls suggest that 75% of the population want President Musharraf to go3 -- but the Bush administration and other elements are still propping him up.

This is a golden moment, in which Pakistan's voters have overcome widespread vote-rigging to set a course for civilian democracy. Now opposition leaders face the challenge of reinstating the free media and independent judiciary, undoing martial laws, and building the institutions and legitimacy that are essential for any lasting security in Pakistan.

Pakistan needs the international community to pledge greater help for this democratic effort, not to bully and meddle. So let's send a ringing global message to the leaders, generals and ambassadors now politicking in Islamabad, and make sure they don't bungle the transition that citizens of Pakistan, and of the world, demand. View the ad and give it your support at this link:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_has_spoken/6.php

With hope and determination,

Paul, Pascal, Galit, Esra'a, Ricken, Ben, Iain and the whole Avaaz team

Sources:

1. Opposition victory in the elections over pro-Musharraf parties:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aLbEG4ZyRAZs&refer=home

Musharraf's radical extremist allies also defeated:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7255642.stm

2) Musharraf hinted to the Wall Street Journal that he may not go quietly - "The clash would be if the prime minister and president would be trying to get rid of each other" (he retains martial law powers to dismiss prime minister and parliament):
http://www.dawn.com/2008/02/21/top4.htm

Demands to convene Parliament:
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5igw0xruZ7DAMq5QCsTxr3NpFMoug

3) Last polls before the election, showing at least 75% want Musharraf to go:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL48294.htm

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ABOUT AVAAZ
Avaaz.org is an independent, not-for-profit global campaigning organization that works to ensure that the views and values of the world's people inform global decision-making. (Avaaz means "voice" in many languages.) Avaaz receives no money from governments or corporations, and is staffed by a global team based in London, Rio de Janeiro, New York, Paris, Washington DC, and Geneva.

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