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Musharraf denies rape remark

Pakistan leader says paper's quote was from someone else

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Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf says he was misquoted.

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(CNN) -- Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has denied telling the Washington Post that claiming to be raped was a money-making ploy for Pakistanis hoping to make money and get a visa to Canada.

"I'm not that silly and stupid to say this," Musharraf told CNN's Jonathan Mann Saturday in New York. "I never said it. Let me clearly say this. I never said it, and I'm totally misquoted."

In an interview published Tuesday in the Post, Musharraf said that rape is not just a problem in Pakistan, but happens in other countries, as well. He was referring to the case of a Pakistani woman who said she was gang-raped on the orders of village officials in 2002.

"You must understand the environment in Pakistan," Musharraf was quoted as saying in the article. "This has become a moneymaking concern. A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped."

The comment caused outrage in a number of countries. Angry protesters gathered Saturday on the streets of New York, where Musharraf was attending a United Nations summit.

Musharraf told CNN the remark was made in his presence, but he did not say it.

"This is absolutely out of context. These are not my words," he said. "I never said it. I was in the presence of people who said this. This is where it started."

"I am not that stupid to say that kind of thing," he said. "I know that rape is happening in Pakistan. I know there is violence against women."

But, he said, "I am supportive of all women, all actions to emancipate the women, against violence against women, and gender equality," and he said his government has done more for women than any in the past 50 years.

"I have protected them, I have provided finances, I have provided them judicial support."

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