WASHINGTON, March 22: The United States is following political developments in Pakistan, but so far has no particular comment to offer on news reports that General Pervez Musharraf intends to offer himself for election as president in a referendum.
Reports in Pakistani newspapers have said that the general has begun a round of consultations with political parties on a possible presidential referendum, with opening discussions being held with a breakaway group of the Nawaz Sharif Muslim League.
Asked about these reports, State Department deputy spokesman Philip Reeker told the department’s regular news briefing on Thursday afternoon that in terms of internal Pakistani developments, the US would continue to watch the situation, but he had no specific comment to make on the referendum issue.
Reeker said he had heard of some of the reports, adding: “I think, as you know, for a long time we have called on President Musharraf to look toward a return to democracy in Pakistan because we think that is what is in the best interest of the Pakistani people. Certainly in his speech in January he indicated a vision for Pakistan where the vast majority — the silent majority, he called them — of Pakistanis would stand up against extremists, against Islamic fundamentalists who do not represent well their religion, and would stand for democracy, for moving forward for a future Pakistan with economic development, with better lives for all of the people there.”
Reflecting the dilemma caused for the US by Gen Musharraf’s support for the “war against terrorism” and his political agenda at home, Reeker said America was “very pleased” with the general’s cooperation in terms of the war on terrorism. “He has been a steadfast partner and ally in that effort. But in terms of those specific internal Pakistani developments, we will continue obviously to watch that, as we do, but I don’t have anything specific for you on that.”
Reeker pointed out that no formal announcement of a referendum had been made so far, “and we can certainly look into it and watch developments there as they happen”.
Washington says it has continued to press for a return to democratic and elected government in Pakistan, and the subject was raised also during discussions between President George Bush and President Musharraf at the White House last month.
