Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday voiced firm support for the Beijing Olympics, saying his country has taken all measures to ensure the success of the upcoming torch relay in its capital Islamabad.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf makes a speech at the Tsinghua University in Beijing, on April 14, 2008.
"We have taken all measures to ensure its (torch relay's) security... ensure the torch relay could be held in a prestigious and secure manner," Musharraf said in a speech at the elite Tsinghua University.
"There is not one man in Pakistan who would do anything against the interests of China," he said.
The Olympic torch relay ceremony is to be held in Islamabad on April 16. Musharraf said he would take part in the ceremony in an interview with Xinhua prior to his China visit.
But he warned against attempts to disrupt the relay. "We have to take care that there is no infiltration by some elements who are bent on disrupting our understanding and great relationship," Musharraf told some 200 students.
"Any attempt by anyone to disrupt the process of the relay and create ill will is condemned by Pakistan," he said.
He expressed warm congratulations and best wishes to the Beijing Olympics, saying Pakistan firmly opposes any attempt to politicize the Games and any actions to disrupt the event, Musharraf said.
"We think that politics must be kept out of sports. Sports generates brotherhood. Sports generates closeness. If we bring politics into it, then the whole idea of sports is killed," Musharraf said.
