January 03, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 23, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: Pakistan on Wednesday said it was ready to accept international assistance for investigation into the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, but rejected calls for a UN-led Hariri-style international probe.

United States, United Kingdom and France are some of the key countries which have offered assistance to Pakistan in the investigation into the gun-and-bomb attack that killed the PPP chairperson.

“The government is committed to a thorough and transparent investigation and is open to receiving assistance from outside,” said Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq at a weekly press briefing.

He said many countries along with their condolence messages have offered assistance in the investigations.

The remarks came shortly after French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner offered President Musharraf help of French and European experts in the investigations.

Commenting on calls for a Hariri-style international probe, the spokesman said the situation in the country was different from the circumstances in which former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri was assassinated in Beirut.

Questioning the efficacy of the Hariri-style investigations, Mr Sadiq said, the UN probe had produced nine reports, but still remained inconclusive.

Reacting to calls by the US leaders for linking aid for Pakistan to its acceptance of an international investigation into Ms Bhutto’s assassination, the spokesman said threats of suspension of aid and making it conditional would neither serve the political process in the country nor help bilateral relations.

Furthermore, he said, it was wrong on the part of the US leaders to jump to conclusions and suggest actions.

APP adds: Replying to a question about alleged threats to nuclear installations, the spokesman said an effective command and control system was in place.

He termed reports about threats to nuclear assets as totally baseless and ridiculous.

The spokesman said “people circulating such sinister stories are aiming at further upsetting the people of Pakistan, who are still in a state of shock after the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in a dastardly attack on Dec 27”.

Commenting on the statements about Pakistan’s failure in the war on terror after the slaying of Ms Bhutto, the spokesman said it was an extraordinary situation and a tragic incident.