WASHINGTON, March 12: The United States seems eager not to criticise the Zardari government for its crackdown on opposition activists, although it also wants to appear neutral in the Zardari-Sharif imbroglio.

On the judicial dispute, the United States still seems unwilling to support the demand for the restoration of judges despite a change of government in Washington.

On Thursday, US special envoy Richard Holbrooke conveyed Washington’s concerns over the political turmoil to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The US, media quoting official sources in Washington, reported that Mr Holbrooke offered his views and advice on the mounting political tension in the country.

Also on Thursday, General David Petraeus, the US military commander for the region, and Ambassador Holbrooke briefed lawmakers on Pakistan’s political crisis. The media were not allowed to attend the in-camera briefing.

It appears that the US administration and the legislature want to avoid making public comments on the current situation in Pakistan. So far, US officials and lawmakers have both made only benign comments that do little to reveal the US position on Pakistan’s political contretemps.

The United States must do what it can to “sustain democracy” in Pakistan, said Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Pakistan’s leaders “are working very, very hard to try to reach an agreement that will bring elements of the government together in unity and allow them to go forward”, he added.

Later, the White House announced that it was freeing up to eight million dollars for “unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs” in Pakistan.

At the State Department, acting spokesman Robert Wood conceded that the situation in Pakistan was difficult but avoided comments that could be interpreted as support or opposing the government.

The United States, he said, supported freedom of speech, of expression, and of assembly in Pakistan.

“What we think is important is that the various parties try to resolve their differences within the political system of Pakistan in accordance with its constitution and with respect for the rule of law,” he said.

When asked why was the US not condemning the crackdown on opposition leaders by the government and the restriction imposed on assembly and march, he said: “I’ve said to you about what our views are with regard to freedom of expression and assembly. That’s pretty clear.”

“There’s no surprise that it’s difficult, because this is the first time in the history of Pakistan that you’ve had an election in which the presidency changed peacefully, and from an incumbent president to a new president,” said Senator Kerry.

“There’s an enormous economic challenge, there’s a huge insurgent challenge, and the problems are complex,” he said. “We’re just going to continue to work through these obviously difficult transitional issues.”

In late February, Senator Kerry called for an urgent boost in US aid to Pakistan, warning that “time is running out” to keep Pakistan from slipping into chaos.

The senator, who wants to triple US non-military aid to Pakistan to $7.5 billion over five years, also endorsed a new US think tank report calling for an immediate infusion of four to five billion dollars per year into the Pakistani economy.
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