Musharraf Praises 'New Era of Democracy' for Pakistan
穆沙拉夫稱巴基斯坦走向民主時代

Pakistan's president says his country, is ushering in a new era of democracy following years of his autocratic rule. Pervez Musharraf, in his Pakistan Day address, also credited his regime with paving the way for the return to civilian government.

巴基斯坦總統穆沙拉夫說，巴基斯坦在經歷了他多年的專制統治后，正走向一個新的民主時代。穆沙拉夫在巴基斯坦國慶日的講話中還贊揚了他的政府為巴基斯坦重返文官政府鋪平了道路。

Members of the armed forces - from the mechanized infantry to nurses - paraded past President Pervez Musharraf and other dignitaries, while fighter jets screeched by overhead, as the country celebrated Pakistan Day.

從機械化步兵到護士，巴基斯坦武裝部隊的成員們游行經過穆沙拉夫總統和其他巴基斯坦政要。同時，噴氣式戰斗機在空中呼嘯而過，這是巴基斯坦慶祝“巴基斯坦日”的場面。

The unpopular president, who came to power in a 1999 military coup, appeared in civilian clothing after yielding to pressure last November to give up the powerful post as Army chief.

不得人心的穆沙拉夫總統在1999年的一次軍事政變中奪取了政權。迫于壓力，穆沙拉夫于去年11月放棄了掌握實權的陸軍參謀長職務。他身穿文官服裝出席“巴基斯坦日”的慶祝儀式。

In his address at the national stadium in the capital Sunday, Mr. Musharraf hailed a "new real era of democracy" for Pakistan.

穆沙拉夫在巴基斯坦首都伊斯蘭堡的國家體育場發表了講話。他宣稱巴基斯坦進入“一個新的民主時代”。

While making reference to the incoming civilian government resulting from democratic elections he permitted this year, the president also defended his nine years of strong-armed rule as a journey "toward democracy and development."

穆沙拉夫說，即將上任的文官政府是他今年允許實行民主選舉的結果。穆沙拉夫還為他為期九年的鐵腕統治作辯護，稱他的統治是“朝著民主和發展”的方向前進。

It is uncertain whether this president will ever again preside over such a ceremony. The caretaker government he appointed is in its last hours. Mr. Musharraf will swear-in a democratically-elected prime minister on Tuesday replacing the figurehead he had appointed.

目前不能確定穆沙拉夫將來是否還會主持這樣的慶典儀式。穆沙拉夫任命的臨時政府很快就將期滿。穆沙拉夫星期二將主持一位經過民主投票選舉的總理的就職儀式，以取代他指定的傀儡領導人。

The new prime minister is certain to be Yousuf Raza Gilani of the Pakistan People's Party, or PPP. Gilani on Sunday was asked by reporters whether he is certain to serve a full five-year term. He responded, "We are not here to count how many days we have remaining in the Assembly. People are not concerned whether we are here completing five years or not completing. They are only concerned whether we have delivered to the nation or not."

Pakistan has a history of military coups and of presidents dismissing prime ministers. Gilani already faces the perception that he will serve at the whim of party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, the widower of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Speculation is intense here that Zardari seeks to install himself as prime minister, perhaps within a matter of months.

The Pakistan Peoples Party has agreed to a coalition government with a long-time rival, the Muslim League faction of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. During the campaign both parties expressed opposition to the president's autocratic rule. Many members of the new coalition want Mr. Musharraf to exit quickly as head of state, either by resignation or through impeachment.

巴基斯坦人民黨同意與它的長期競爭對手、巴基斯坦前總理謝里夫領導的穆斯林聯盟謝里夫派組成聯合政府。兩黨在競選活動中都表示反對穆沙拉夫總統的專制統治。新聯合政府的許多成員要求穆沙拉夫盡快地退出巴基斯坦總統的職務，他們要穆沙拉夫辭職，否則就要采取彈劾他的方式讓他下臺。

Another showdown is looming between legislators and the president. The PPP and Mr. Sharif's party have agreed to reinstate the top layer of the country's judiciary which Mr. Musharraf removed last year.

巴基斯坦議員們和穆沙拉夫總統之間還有一場攤牌式的較量。巴基斯坦人民黨和謝里夫的政黨都同意恢復去年被穆沙拉夫罷免的巴基斯坦首席大法官的職務。

The embattled head of state on Sunday also called on the new government to maintain peace and socio-economic development. The president added that he hopes Pakistan's civilian leaders will continue the struggle with the same force that he has applied against terrorism and extremism.

備受抨擊的穆沙拉夫總統星期天還呼吁新政府保持巴基斯坦的和平和社會經濟的發展。穆沙拉夫還說，他希望巴基斯坦的文職領導人能像他一樣，繼續堅持與恐怖主義和極端主義力量做斗爭。

Mr. Musharraf has been Washington's staunch ally in the U.S.-led international war against terrorism. It is unclear whether the democratically-elected government leaders will have the same stance or take a different approach to the security threats facing the country.

穆沙拉夫在美國領導的國際反恐戰爭中，一直是美國的親密盟友。目前還不清楚，經過民主選舉的新政府是會采取相同的立場還是會采取一條不同的方式來對付巴基斯坦所面臨的安全威脅。