LOS ANGELES, April 22: The US President, George Bush, hopes that President Pervez Musharraf will abide by his pledge on holding general elections in October.

“I admire President Musharraf’s strong leadership as Pakistan cracks down on terror, as well as his commitment to holding national and provincial elections by October 2002,” said Bush in a letter to Council of Pakistan American Affairs (COPAA).

The signed letter, written recently, was read out on Sunday by the COPAA’s President, Ahmed Ali, at the COPAA’s fund-raising ceremony.

The letter was written in response to COPAA’s letter to Bush on briefing the latest situation on South Asia, especially the tension on Pakistan-India borders.

Bush said: “Our coalition of nations remains strong as we fight terrorism around the world. My hope is that all nations will heed our call, and eliminate the terrorists who threaten their countries and our own.”

The COPAA, one of the most influential Pakistani-American organization, last November also held a meeting with Bush to discuss the aftermath of Sept 11 and widespread crackdown on Muslims in the US.