WASHINGTON, Aug 16: The United States wants to see formation of a moderate political centre in Pakistan, the White House said on Thursday while commenting on media reports that the Bush administration is urging President Musharraf to work out a political alliance with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
At the State Department, an official told Dawn that the US “encourages moderate elements of Pakistani society to come together to combat extremism.”
The US media on Thursday quoted senior US officials as saying that an alliance with Ms Bhutto could give Gen Musharraf his best chance of defusing the domestic crisis and remaining as president.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Johndroe said: “We want to see a moderate political centre form there, following democratic processes.”
The State Department official was a little more specific saying that the US would like these moderate elements to support “a democratic process, promote participation by political parties and the election of a leader that represents the choice of the Pakistani people”.
Mr Johndroe noted that US officials visiting Pakistan had conveyed a similar message to various political parties. He said while the US supports free and fair elections in Pakistan, it was ultimately a decision for the people of Pakistan to make who they want to lead them.
“What the United States wants to see is a peaceful, prosperous, secure, stable Pakistan,” he said, adding: “That’s in the interests of the Pakistanis, the interests of the region and interests of the whole world.”
Asked if the US was discussing a power-sharing formula with Gen Musharraf and Ms Bhutto, Mr Johndroe said: “It’s better for the Pakistanis to discuss how they’re going to proceed with their government. But as I said, we’ve met with the various parties; explained the US position, which is we are hopeful for free and fair elections, but also a system that follows democratic norms.” The State Department official emphasised the importance the US attaches to President Musharraf, saying that “Pakistan, under the leadership of President Musharraf, is a good friend and ally to the United States in our efforts to counter terrorism and promote regional stability.”
While insisting that the US does not want to take a position on the internal politics of Pakistan, the official said Washington hoped that any outcome of the current political process “will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution”.
The official, who cannot be named because of a State Department tradition of not identifying officials who spoke individually with news outlets, said: “Though we meet with a wide array of political parties and representatives of civil society, we do not support particular candidates or parties.”
The United States, he said, had made it clear that it wanted to see Pakistan succeed as a moderate, modern and democratic country, led by the choice of the Pakistani people. “We want to see fair, free and transparent elections that give Pakistani citizens choices and respect their decisions.”
The official said that he could not respond to questions if senior US officials had met Ms Bhutto or had discussed a power-sharing arrangement between her and Gen Musharraf with the Pakistani president.
“We keep in touch with all the parties and have encouraged them to strengthen the moderate centre of Pakistani politics. I will not comment on my specific diplomatic contacts,” he added.
