The world has a distorted view of Pakistan, said Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf in an address at the Weill Cornell Medical College on Sept. 26. While a few militant extremists get the lion's share of the press coverage, he said, the majority of the country is moderate, tolerant, democratic and committed to fighting terrorism.

Musharraf spoke at Weill Cornell's Uris Auditorium between stops at the United Nations, meetings at the White House and media appearances. His new book, "In the Line of Fire: A Memoir," was released a day earlier by Simon and Schuster.

In an earlier meeting on Tuesday, Musharraf exchanged ideas with Cornell President David Skorton and his wife, Professor Robin Davisson, as well as with Provost Biddy Martin and other senior administrators about improving higher education in Pakistan and forming collaborations with Cornell for research in such areas as public health and agriculture.

To an audience of about 300 Cornell students, faculty and administrators (plus those watching the live feed on the Ithaca campus), Musharraf discussed U.S.-Pakistani relations as they have evolved over the last 50 years, from Pakistan's role in the Cold War to its current place at the center of the fight against terrorism.

Skorton introduced Musharraf with a few words he had practiced for the occasion. ("I am very impressed, Skorton Sahib, with your Urdu," Musharraf replied. "Maybe better than my own.")

Musharraf began his talk with an explanation about his book. "People have said, why write the book now, while in office?" he said. "I don't think it is unprecedented … [but] one doesn't have to copy anyone. I do not copy anyone. I have my own style.

"There are misperceptions and distortions of the highest magnitude of Pakistan," he added. With a book, "I could clear up misperceptions; I could tell the world what Pakistan stands for."

Of Pakistan's relationship with the United States, Musharraf said the past has been rocky. "We were the bulwark against Soviet expansion," he argued. "When the Soviets invaded Afghanistan, we were in the first row. We fought the Soviets in Afghanistan, and we defeated them."

After the Soviet Union fell, he said, "everyone left Pakistan high and dry. The Mujahadeen coalesced into al Qaeda, and we are alone. Our internal fabric was torn asunder during this period."

Then the terrorist attacks of 2001. "And we are again in the lead role."

He takes that role seriously, he said, by fighting extremists, expanding access to education, improving the economy and opening dialogue.

"I am trying to ensure that a functional and sustainable democracy will exist in Pakistan," he said, pointing out that women and minorities hold seats in the Pakistani National Assembly. "We act as a bridge with the Islamic world; but our orientation is Western."

He acknowledged that core obstacles like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the dispute with India over Kashmir will take time to overcome. "Feeling in the minds and hearts of the people in the street will change gradually." But, he added, "We are fighting terrorism together, totally and completely. There is cooperation at all levels."

Mohammad Malik, ILR '07, and Derek Onysko, A&S '07, took Musharraf's message respectfully -- and guardedly. On the bus back to Ithaca, they said Musharraf seemed sincere and likeable. "I'd never seen him in action before," said Malik, who was born in Pakistan but grew up in the United States. "He knew what he wanted, and he seems genuinely dedicated. For a general who took power in a coup, he was very smooth."

Wesley Sine, professor of business in the Johnson School, agreed that Musharraf's message made good sense on the surface. But he was also cautious. "He seems to really enjoy being in the limelight," he said.