WASHINGTON, April 13: The United States has suggested that the law governing the referendum announced by Gen Pervez Musharraf should be open to judicial review.

As framed at present, the law excludes any challenge in courts, and Gen Musharraf has said it was finalized after the regime consulted legal experts.

On Friday afternoon, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said at his regular briefing: “Restoration of democratic civilian rule is a central goal of the United States and is critical to Pakistan’s political and economic development. It is important that Pakistan follow constitutional procedures as it pursues this process, with the legality of particular actions such as a referendum on the continuation of President Musharraf’s term in office to be decided by the courts, as required.”

Making his remarks clearer, Fleischer, who was replying to a question, added: “It’s our understanding that Pakistan’s constitution allows for referenda. But we believe the constitutionality of this particular referendum should be open to review by the country’s courts.”

The White House statement may not be radically different from the formulation favoured by administration officials, so far, that it was up to the people of Pakistan and Pakistani courts to decide on the best way to move towards restoration of democracy. But Fleischer’s comments will undoubtedly be seen in Pakistani political circles as a tentative effort on the part of the administration to dispel the widely-held belief that the referendum has America’s blessings or tacit support.

People’s Party Chairperson Benazir Bhutto is already in the United States on a campaign against the referendum and against the Musharraf government’s efforts to prevent her from taking part in elections scheduled for October.

Since Sept 11, when the general pledged Pakistan’s cooperation to the US-led military campaign in Afghanistan,” the US has been solidly supportive of Gen Musharraf and reluctant to criticise his domestic political agenda.