EU reax to Musharraf declaring state of emergency

(3 Nov 2007) +++NIGHT SHOTS++ 1. Various exterior of European Commission building 2. European Commission spokesperson Alain Bloedt walking 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Alain Bloedt, EU Commission spokesman: "The European Commission is concerned about reports concerning the state of emergency in Pakistan. It is very important that the country continues democratic transition, and the elections are held in the context of the constitutional process. Pakistan needs a rapid return to democracy." 4. Cutaway 5. European Commission exterior sign STORYLINE: A European Commission spokesman called for "a rapid return to democracy" in Pakistan on Saturday after a state of emergency was declared by Pakistan's president General Pervez Musharraf. "The European Commission is concerned about reports concerning the state of emergency in Pakistan. It is very important that the country continues democratic transition, and the elections are held in the context of the constitutional process," Alain Bloedt said in Brussels. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, in an address to the nation late on Saturday, Musharraf said that Pakistan was at a "dangerous" juncture, and that Islamic extremists were threatening the authority of the government. The military ruler, speaking on state-run Pakistan TV hours after he imposed emergency rule, said he hoped democracy would be restored following parliamentary elections. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...